"Yvonne married up. Dad couldn''t possibly miss a Thompson family wedding; he''s dying totch onto their coattails. Our Caroline is marrying down. We''re the ones paying for this wedding just to make it look decent. What would be the point of himing? Seeing the Gower family would only make him angrier."


    Jerome said wearily.


    Mrs. James was silenced, muttering after a moment, "She''s just like her aunt. Your sister was a bad influence on Caroline. To pass up so many wealthy suitors for a worthless pauper... there will be plenty of time for tearster."


    "That''s enough. It''s Caroline''s big day. If you can''t say something nice, then keep your mouth shut!" Jerome snapped, his face turning cold. Just then, he saw Bet and Yvonne arrive and immediately went to greet them, beckoning his new son-in-w to join him.


    Jerome''s son-inw, Caroline''s husband, was named Jadon Gower. He was tall, well-built, and had a sunny, handsome look about him.


    Jadon was cheerful and talkative. With the Jameses and their distinguished guests, he was enthusiastic but not fawning. Even in front of the esteemed Mr. Thompson, he could converse easily, showing a confidence that was neither arrogant nor subservient, which actually earned him a measure of respect.


    The ceremony was about to begin, so Jadon went to his ce on the stage. Yvonne and Bet were escorted by the Jameses to the VIP table.


    As it was a wedding between the James and Gower families, Jadon''s parents were naturally seated at the VIP table. They looked to be in their fifties but appeared older than their years. They seemed honest and unassuming, but were clearly nervous and intimidated in the presence of the James family.


    Although Jadon''s parents were just ordinary working-ss people, they were still elders, so Yvonne politely greeted them before taking a seat across from them.


    On stage, the wedding had begun. Caroline, on her father Jerome''s arm, walked slowly down the aisle, her face beaming with happiness.


    In the audience, Yvonne whispered to Bet.


    "Caroline''s husband seems pretty decent."


    "You can''t judge a man''s character at first nce. Back when George first became the James family soninw he probably seemed pretty decent too," Bet remarked coolly, ncing at Yvonne


    Yvonne paused for a moment before nodding in agreement. "You men are the best


    at putting on an act."


    "You men?" Bet raised an eyebrow.


    "Aren''t you a man?" Yvonne teased.


    "I don''t put on acts," Bet replied matter-of-factly.


    And it was true; Mr. Thompson didn''t need to pretend. If he liked someone, he would treat them with genuine kindness. If he disliked them he would keep a respectful distance


    The ceremony continued, the sound of the wedding march swelling to a deafening volume, so Yvonne and Bet stopped whispering.


    After the ceremony, Caroline changed into a sleek evening dress and, arm in arm with the groom, began making her rounds to thank the guests.


    Caroline had in features, but today, with her bridal makeup and the joy shining in her eyes, she looked rather charming and lovely.


    The newlyweds started by toasting the guests at the VIP table. When Caroline faced Yvonne and Bet, she looked somewhat ufortable.


    She remembered when Teresa first


    brought Yvonne to the James


    residence. Yvonne had been


    painfully thin and timid, and Caroline and Letitia Bishop had endlessly mocked her for being a country bumpkin, never giving her a second thought.


    But now, here was Yvonne, looking lovely and poised beside Bet, the enviable Mrs. Thompson whom even the elder Mr. James had to tter and court favor with.