So that''s how it is.

Her thickshes shadowed her eyes, and she said coldly, "I don''t like it."

In the end, Reese just ordered a chicken pot pie.

Yves had to remind the waitress three times before their food came out first.

Reese served a bowl to everyone-everyone except Sylvia.fn8854 The source of th?s content is F?nd-Novel/fn8854

She took a bite, leaned closer to Rupert, and whispered, "Not as good as the one you make."

"Yeah," Rupert replied in his usual, nonchnt tone.

Sylvia stayed quiet, but across the table, Mrs. Hanson was starting to look annoyed.

"Sylvia, you really need to eat more meat. How else are you going to have healthy kids someday?"

"Here, here, let me get you a nice juicy piece. Don''t say the Hansons don''t treat you well."

Sylvia frowned. "No, thank you.”

But Mrs. Hanson wasn''t listening. She pped a big, greasy hunk of roast pork right into Sylvia''s bowl.

Yves shot her a sideways nce. "Just do what my mom says."

Sylvia pressed her lips together, noticing everyone else''s reactions-some smug, some indifferent, some quietly amused.

The Hansons, lording it over her with their so-called generosity.

Reese asked Rupert to pass her some of her favorite veggies.

Kay sat there with a sly smile, as if silently asking Sylvia, "So, what do you think of the family I picked for you?"

Sylvia stared at the fatty meat, her stomach churning.

She set down her fork and napkin and stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and left.

In the bathroom, Sylvia took a deep breath and sshed her face with cold water.

When she looked up, she wasn''t alone in the mirror anymore.

Kay had followed her in, closing the distance with quiet footsteps. "You''re finally learning your ce."

Sylvia lowered her gaze, grabbed a paper towel, and wiped her face dry.

"I''ve done what you told me. When are you going to delete what you have on my mom?"

Kay smirked, looking her up and down. "Oh, I''ll delete it... the day you marr That''s when your

mother''s little show will disappear for good."  s

Sylvia bit her lip so hard her eyes burned with tears. "Why does it have to be Yves?"

Kay was clearly enjoying Sylvia''s silent desperation.

"You really want to know?"

"After all this, don''t I deserve to know?" Sylvia demanded, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Kay looked satisfied, chin lifted arrogantly. Because the Hansons are about to go into business with me and Mr. Rupert. Their shippingpany is ruthless, and with their backing, expanding our business will be a breeze. So you..."  s

She looked Sylvia up and down, her gaze lingering on Sylvia''s lovely face.

"You''re the perfect gift Mr. Rupert picked out for them. And if they get

tired of you, why let you go

waste? You''re so easy to please-a

bowl of chicken pot pie and you''re happy as a m."  s

Even though Sylvia had suspected as much, hearing "chicken pot pie" out loud

felt like a punch to the gut.

She stood frozen, feeling like a statue slowly crumbling.

Kay knew everything. Kay and Rupert were definitely working together.

All those exnations at the hospital had just been to keep her calm andpliant.

Sylvia clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, and forced the words out: "A hundred-million-dor deal?"

"Didn''t expect you to know that,” Kay replied, a little surprised, but shrugged it off, assuming Yves had spilled the beans.

Sylvia closed her eyes, her whole body trembling.

Kay gave a short, mockingugh. "Just behave yourself. I''m not family, so don''t

expect me to be sentimental about you and Edwin."

With that, she raised her brows and strutted out.

Sylvia opened her eyes, red-rimmed but strangely calm, and wiped away the tears that refused to fall.

Her phone buzzed twice.

Chris had sent her exactly what she''d asked for.

Reading the message, Sylvia felt the tears she''d tried so hard to hold back finally fall, heavy and silent.