nning a wedding is exhausting. After turning off the lights, Cynthia fell asleep quickly.


    Meanwhile, at a hotel owned by the Thompson family.


    The guests had long since departed. Dana handed Nic over to Karina and instructed the driver to take the mother and daughter home.


    Dana had initially nned to take Nic back to the Thompson estate, but the child first asked for her father, and when she couldn''t find him, she cried for her mother. A child that small is still very dependent on her parents.


    So, Dana had no choice but to hand her over to Karina, her biological mother.


    Seeing the Thompsons return her child, Karina felt that with her daughter as leverage, she could still negotiate with them.


    "Where are my parents? Do you realize this is false imprisonment? Are the


    Thompsons nning on breaking thew? If you dare harm them, I won''t let you get away with it."


    Dana heard her out but couldn''t be bothered to say a word. Arguing with someone so clueless would only make her seem clueless too.


    Bet just scoffed, amused by her audacity.


    He turned to Yvonne. "Yvonne, didn''t you say you wanted to y a game with Nic? Why don''t you take her outside to y for a bit?"


    Yvonne hesitated for a moment, then understood Bet''s intention.


    She walked over to Nic, smiling as she held out her hand. "Nic, Aunt Yvonne has a really fun game, but it''s a little cramped in here. How about we go y outside?"


    Nic''s eyes lit up, clearly interested. But she instinctively nced back at her mother.


    Just as Karina was about to speak, Yvonne cut in. "Mommy and your uncle have grown-up things to sort out, and it''s not for little ears. We''ll just y right outside the door, and as soon as they''re done, you can go home with your mom."


    Nic was afraid her mom would leave her, just like her dad did, so she didn''t dare leave Karina''s side But with Yvonne''s promise that she could go home with her mom soon, Nic finally rxed and happily took Yvonne''s hand to go outside.


    Nic was like a protective talisman for Karina and the White family. The moment she left Karina''s sense of security vanished. She instinctivel tried to call her daughter back but was blocked by Dana.


    "This is between adults. Don''t involve the child."


    After saying that, Dana gave Karina a shove, pushing her into the inner room.


    Mr. and Mrs. White were locked inside, with Bet''s bodyguards keeping watch.


    "Mom, Dad, are you okay?" Karina asked immediately with concern upon seeing them.


    Karina had been neglected by her parents since she was a child, but despite that, she remained incredibly devoted to them.


    But Mr. and Mrs. White had little patience for her. Mr. White shoved her impatiently and cursed, “Useless thing. You can''t even handle a simple task like this."


    The push sent Karina stumbling, and she fell to the floor.


    After Mr. White vented his anger, Mrs. White started ying the good cop, helping Karina up from the floor with a pained expression and scolding her husband. "Why are you taking your anger out on our daughter?"


    “Karina, are you alright? You know how your father is. He didn''t mean it,” Mrs. White said with concern.


    “I''m fine.” Karina shook her head, then took her mother''s arm. “Are you and Dad okay?"


    "We''re not young anymore. Being locked up for so long has been terrifying, and your father has a weak heart," Mrs. White added, ying the victim card.


    Just then, Bet walked in. A quick-witted bodyguard immediately brought a chair and ced it beside him.


    Bet sat down, pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his suit pocket, lit one, and slowly exhaled a plume of smoke.