Vivian found an excuse to escape the uncomfortable situation. "Granny, I need to use the bathroom urgently, can't hold it in any longer!" she exclaimed.

Her voice echoed through the room, and her willingness to publicly discuss such private matters was perfectly in tune with her act of playing an innocent simpleton.

This, however, left the room in an awkward hush.

Richard Benton's face was stone-cold. "Howard," he said frostily, "What kind of daughter have you brought up? ...