In Chapter 900, titled “Home Cooking Hits Different,” the atmosphere in the Tom household is tense as hunger and frustration mount among the family members. Mona, overwhelmed by the chaos left in the wake of Derrick’s destructive behavior, expresses her anger at the lack of a functioning kitchen. The memories of Derrick’s rampage haunt them all, leaving a sense of despair and helplessness. Marie’s recent declaration of authority only adds to Mona’s frustration, as she feels betrayed by Marie’s control over the family’s finances and her inability to manage household matters effectively.

As the family grapples with their financial constraints, Gary voices the group’s concerns about their frozen accounts and the absence of their monthly allowance. The weight of their situation leaves everyone feeling powerless, and Mona’s desperation grows as she seeks answers from Holt. The tension is palpable, with the family’s financial struggles mirroring their emotional turmoil. Each character’s anger and frustration bubble beneath the surface, creating a heavy silence that hangs in the air.

Meanwhile, at the Dawson residence, Marie indulges in a lavish meal, completely detached from the struggles of the Tom family. Her enjoyment of food contrasts sharply with the despair of her relatives, highlighting her self-centeredness. As she casually inquires about Stella, she becomes aware of a troubling situation involving Rianne, who has been kidnapped. This news sends Marie into a spiral of anxiety, as she realizes the potential consequences of the family’s past deceptions.

Stella’s arrival brings more bad news, confirming Rianne’s kidnapping and the complications surrounding it. Marie’s shock quickly turns to anger as she processes the situation, suspecting that the ruthless Ariana is behind it. The chapter concludes with a sense of impending conflict, as the Dawsons prepare to confront the consequences of their actions and the threats posed by their enemies. The emotional stakes are high, with each character facing their own battles while the shadows of betrayal and danger loom ever closer.

**Chapter 900: Home Cooking Hits Different**

As the minutes dragged on, an insatiable hunger gnawed at everyone in the room. Mona, her patience wearing thin, erupted. “What kitchen? There isn’t even a kitchen left anymore!” Her voice was sharp, slicing through the tension like a knife.

The memory of Derrick’s destructive rampage lingered in the air, a haunting reminder of the chaos he had unleashed. He had reduced their once-functional kitchen to mere splinters and debris, leaving behind a trail of frustration and despair.

And then there was Marie. What a handful she was turning out to be! Just the previous night, she had boldly asserted her authority, declaring that she would take charge of everything—that all family matters would be funneled through her. Was this really her vision of management? The thought of it made Mona’s blood boil. To add insult to injury, Marie had whisked away the family’s financial records, as if they were her personal treasure. How could someone who couldn’t even manage the household effectively be trusted with ledgers? The mere notion infuriated Mona.

To make matters worse, Hamlin’s daughter was in urgent need of a significant sum of money, and Mona couldn’t shake the regret of not transferring more funds into her own accounts when she had the opportunity. She had never anticipated that the poised daughter of the illustrious Dawson family would resort to such underhanded tactics. The stark reality was that the Tom family had dwindled in comparison to the Dawsons’ stature.

“What do we do now?” Gary murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “She didn’t even mention when we’d get our monthly allowance.”

This morning had been particularly brutal; his attempts to use his credit cards had been met with an unforgiving reality—they were all frozen. He felt utterly powerless, locked out of his own finances. Even the black card his father had gifted him years ago had been unceremoniously canceled.

The more he ruminated on the situation, the more his anger bubbled beneath the surface.

Mona turned her gaze to Holt, desperation creeping into her tone. “Holt, do you have any idea when she plans on sending out the monthly transfers?”

Her own cards were frozen, too. Everything under the Tom family name had been locked away as if it were a treasure chest with no key. She had refrained from using her personal accounts since marrying into the family—especially now, with Marie’s stingy allowance of fifty thousand a month. Spending even a cent over that limit would create an insurmountable gap.

Holt’s expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes. “Why don’t you just ask her? What do you want from me?”

He hadn’t eaten a thing all morning, and the thought of Marie made his stomach churn. He wanted nothing to do with her, and the mere mention of her name sent him into a silent fury.

A heavy silence enveloped the Tom family, a palpable chill hanging in the air like a thick fog.

Meanwhile, at the Dawson residence, Marie and Derrick were already indulging in a lavish feast. Marie savored her food with a voracious appetite, as if she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Home cooking still tastes the best,” she declared between mouthfuls, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

“You haven’t touched a bite since last night,” Derrick pointed out, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

“If I can’t enjoy a good meal, then neither should anyone else,” she retorted, her tone light, yet laced with an underlying edge.

Mona had likely envisioned her rising early to whip up breakfast for everyone—like that was ever going to happen. She wasn’t anyone’s servant. The money? Absolutely, she’d take it.

But whether she engaged in family chores depended entirely on her whims—and, of course, on who was doing the asking. When it came to the Toms, she wouldn’t lift a finger for any of them.

“Where’s Stella?” Marie asked nonchalantly, glancing at the butler who stood at attention.

“Madam is on the phone,” the butler replied cautiously, “It seems to be a call from Yalvoria. She appears… upset.”

“Yalvoria?” Marie frowned, her curiosity piqued. Upset? That couldn’t be good.

It had to be about Rianne.

“Wasn’t Evie in Yalvoria keeping an eye on Rianne? Why would she be upset?”

As thoughts raced through her mind, an unsettling realization struck Marie. Eddie had gone to Yalvoria just yesterday… Please tell me he didn’t blow his cover, she thought, anxiety creeping in.

If that irrational woman discovered how they had deceived her in the past, there would be hell to pay—and not in a humorous way.

“I’m not sure, miss,” the butler replied nervously, his voice trembling. “I didn’t dare eavesdrop on the madam’s call.”

That meant Marie would have to confront Stella directly. But if something had provoked Stella’s anger, it almost certainly involved Rianne—and if Rianne was entangled in it, then Tempest was likely involved as well.

Just as Marie opened her mouth to say more, Stella descended the stairs, flanked by two maids.

“Stella!”

Upon seeing Marie, Stella’s expression soured; she was clearly fuming.

Without a word, she marched over and plopped down across from Marie.

A maid promptly placed a plate of sliced fruit in front of Stella. While Marie enjoyed her breakfast, Stella was already indulging in her mid-morning meal. A bowl of collagen stew sat untouched before her; she picked at the fruit instead, clearly unimpressed.

“What’s got you all worked up?” Marie inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Rianne was kidnapped yesterday,” Stella stated flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“What? How? Wasn’t Evie with her?”

Marie’s eyes widened in shock. She had explicitly told Evie that Rianne was her sister-in-law—how could she let this happen? Did she even care about maintaining that title?

“It’s complicated,” Stella sighed, her frustration palpable. “Evie just stepped away for a minute to use the bathroom.”

“And Rianne? She’s alright now, right?”

“She’s fine,” Stella assured her. “They found her trapped in a cave halfway down a cliff—an icy river below and sheer rock above. She couldn’t climb up or down.”

Marie’s expression darkened, a storm brewing within her. Hailey and Ariana… those women were ruthless.

Even after Rianne had gone all the way to Yalvoria, they still wouldn’t allow her a moment of peace.

“It was Ariana, wasn’t it?” Marie asked, her voice icy.

“Who else could it be?”

Hailey lacked the intelligence and influence for something like this; at best, she was merely a pawn in Ariana’s game.

But this time, Ariana had messed with the wrong people. No matter how many scapegoats she offered up, the Dawsons would keep their sights locked squarely on her.

In the aftermath of chaos and betrayal, the emotional landscape of the Tom family lay in disarray, each member grappling with their own frustrations and fears. Mona’s simmering anger at Marie’s overreach and Derrick’s destructive past created a volatile atmosphere, where the warmth of family bonds felt like a distant memory. The once-cohesive unit was now fractured, with financial constraints and power struggles further deepening the divide. Gary’s silent desperation echoed the collective sentiment, as their lives unraveled under the weight of external pressures and internal conflicts. The stark contrast to Marie’s indulgent breakfast at the Dawson residence was a bitter reminder of the disparity between their worlds—a feast enjoyed while others starved for both sustenance and emotional support.

Yet, as the news of Rianne’s kidnapping surfaced, the stakes were raised even higher, igniting a fierce determination within Marie that had been absent until now. The revelation stirred something profound within her, awakening a protective instinct that she had previously buried beneath layers of self-interest. The looming threat from Ariana and her cohorts transformed Marie’s perspective, compelling her to confront the chaos not just as a participant but as a leader. With the specter of danger now looming over her family, the once self-serving dynamics began to shift, hinting at a potential for unity born from adversity. In this moment of crisis, the Toms and Dawsons found themselves at a crossroads, where the bonds of blood and loyalty would be tested in ways they had never anticipated.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the tension between the Toms and the Dawsons reaches a boiling point, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the chaos that has engulfed both families. With Rianne’s shocking kidnapping still fresh in everyone’s minds, the stakes are higher than ever. Marie, fueled by a newfound determination, will likely take matters into her own hands, seeking revenge against those who dared to threaten her family. The question looms: will she be able to outsmart Ariana, or will her arrogance lead to further disaster? As alliances shift and secrets unravel, readers can expect a thrilling game of cat and mouse that will leave them breathless.

Meanwhile, the financial strife within the Tom family will continue to unravel, exposing cracks in their already fragile unity. Mona’s simmering anger towards Marie and her reckless handling of family matters will undoubtedly explode, leading to confrontations that could change the dynamics forever. With Holt caught in the crossfire, tensions will escalate, and the family’s very foundation will be tested. How will they navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, betrayal, and desperation? The next chapter promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the fallout from each decision made.

Cedella

Cedellais a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.