As soon as Karina finished shouting, the head bodyguard seized the hand she was pointing at Bet. His grip was immense, feeling like it would snap her wrist.


    Karina tried to throw a fit, raising her other hand to p the bodyguard, but he caught that one too and pinned both her arms behind her back.


    With her arms restrained, Karina cried out in pain.


    "You''re no longer part of the Thompson family, but you still think you''re Mrs. Thompson? I don''t make a habit of hitting women, but I can make an exception.” The head bodyguard sneered, then gave a hard shove that sent her stumbling away.


    Karina staggered from the push, nearly falling over.


    Though she wasn''t physically hurt, her pride had been thrown to the ground and trampled on, leaving her utterly humiliated.


    Years of being Mrs. Noah had wrapped her in a delusion of grandeur, convincing her she was actually untouchable.


    But after divorcing Noah, she was knocked back down to reality. It was only then that she finally understood: without Noah, without the Thompson family, she and the Whites were nothing.


    Yvonne and Nic were ying hopscotch by the door. Just as they were starting to get tired, the door to the room opened.


    Bet was the first to emerge.


    He was still in his dress shirt, his suit jacket draped over his arm. He looked nonchnt and rxed, the very picture of a debonair nobleman.


    "All done talking?" Yvonne nced casually at the room behind Bet.


    "All done. Let''s go home," Bet replied with a warm smile, showing no trace of


    the ruthlessness he had disyed inside the room just moments ago.


    "Uncle, can I go home with Mommy now?" Nic came over and tugged on Bet''s arm.


    "Yes." Bet nodded, patting Nic''s head. "Your aunt and I wille y with you again next time."


    "Okay,” Nic chirped, making a pinky promise with Bet. After they hooked their fingers, she added, “Nic likes Aunt Yvonne the most."


    Yvonne: "And Aunt Yvonne likes Nic the most."


    Soon after, the Whites emerged from the room.


    Karina was supporting Mrs. White, while Mr. White was being half-carried out by two bodyguards in ck suits.


    "Mommy!" Nic ran over and took Karina''s hand as soon as she saw her.


    "Mmm," Karina responded tly.


    Mrs. White was limp with fear. Too terrified to cross the Thompsons, she could only vent her frustration on the child, but even then, all she dared was to shoot Nic a few harsh res.


    Nic didn''t notice Mrs. White; her attention was on Mr. White.


    His face was bruised and swollen, and he was being held up by the two bodyguards.


    "Mommy, what''s wrong with Grandpa?" Nic asked, confused.


    Karina''s lips parted to speak, but


    Yvonne cut in first, "Grandpa had too


    much to drink Drinkin


    is a bad


    habit, Nic. You shouldn''t follow


    his example, okay?"


    fo


    "Okay." Nic nodded seriously. “Grandpa was naughty. Nic won''t be like Grandpa."


    After dealing with the Whites, Bet and Yvonne finally headed home.


    It waste when they got back, and the sky was already dark. Their neighbors, Helen and Bullet, were probably already asleep.


    Bet and Yvonne didn''t disturb them, heading to their respective rooms to freshen up.


    Yvonne removed her makeup, showered, and changed into her pajamas. When she came out of her room, her stomach rumbled.


    The food at the wedding reception


    mingling


    had been excellent, but they had spent most of their time mingling and hadnt had a chance to eat


    much. ng


    Then themotion with the Whites had left even less time for a meal.


    So, besides breakfast, she had been hungry all day.