"Yvonne... how does she know Mr. Bet Thompson?" Jeffrey was the first to speak, his voice filled with confusion.


    "My sister made a new friend and didn''t even tell Mom and Dad. Does she not consider us her family?" Queena murmured, her eyes downcast and filled with


    sorrow.


    But her mind was racing. He was handsome, enigmatic, and radiated an innate nobility that even his understated clothes couldn''t hide. The Thompsons were a dynasty far beyond their reach. How had that wretched little tramp managed to get her ws into their heir?


    Queena was practically trembling with jealousy.


    George nced at his beautiful daughter, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He turned to Teresa. “Call Yvonne and find out what''s going on between her and Mr. Thompson. And tell her that since she''s made a new friend, she should introduce him to her older sister."


    "Yes, I''ll remember," Teresa agreed without a second thought.


    "Dad, that doesn''t seem right. Doesn''t Queena like Matthew?" Jeffrey, understanding his father''s intentions, voiced his concern. For the Spencer family, having Queena marry Matthew and Yvonne secure a connection to Bet would maximize their family''s interests.


    "Who does Yvonne think she is, aiming for Mr. Thompson?" George snapped, his face hardening. "Jeffrey, I''m not senile yet. I don''t need you questioning my decisions."


    After his father''s rebuke, Jeffrey looked at Queena. She stood with her head slightly bowed, the very picture of a docile, obedient daughter. "We should listen to Dad. He would never do anything to harm us."


    Jeffrey fell silent, a sudden feeling of alienation washing over him. The father and sister he had lived with for over twenty years suddenly felt like strangers.


    ...


    Yvonne had barely stepped back into the apartment at Cherry Bay when her phone rang. It was Teresa.


    "Yvonne, your father was just angry today. He felt bad as soon as he finished scolding you and told me to make sure you were alright. You''ve always been so understanding, Yvonne. You''re not still angry with your parents, are you?"


    A coldugh escaped Yvonne''s lips. Did Teresa actually believe her own lies? The original Yvonne had been obedient, but no one had ever truly cared for her.


    "Is that the only reason you called?" Yvonne asked.


    "Yvonne, how do you know Mr. Bet Thompson? You two seem to be on good


    terms. Why don''t you invite him over this weekend..."


    Teresa finally revealed her true motive, but Yvonne cut her off.


    "Invite Bet to the Spencer house so Queena can have a chance to climb into his bed? She''s got one man on the hook and is already looking for another. Does Matthew know what his first love is really like?" Yvonne''s voice was sharp with sarcasm.


    At the Spencer house, Queena''s eyes had been practically glued to Bet.


    Yvonne wasn''t blind.


    Tired of wasting her breath, she ended the call.


    She tossed her phone onto the nightstand, but it rang again momentster. This time it was Sandra, calling to inform her that. she needed to return to the set next week to begin promotional work for Mr. Turner''s film.


    The first stop on the promotional tour was Vexel, the film''s shooting location. Since Vexel was Mark''s territory, Bet would have to apany her for her safety.


    They stayed at the same hotel as before. Most of the cast had returned for the tour, except for the male co-star, who had a scheduling conflict.