Queena, who had bought her way into the film, was dressed in a designer cocktail dress from thetest season. She clung to Mr. Turner''s side throughout the promotional events, soaking up the spotlight.


    Yvonne, still a neer, kept a low profile. She wore high-waisted jeans, a white chiffon blouse, and a delicate pearl ne. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, her face fresh and youthful, her striking eyes sparkling like a starry sky.


    Bet remained a discreet distance away, a constant protective presence. He watched her standing with Grace, Shirley, and the other young actresses. In a crowd of beautiful women, she still managed to stand out.


    After the daytime events, there was an evening banquet attended by the film''s key cast and crew, investors, and other influential figures in the entertainment industry. To Yvonne''s dismay, Matthew, one of the film''s investors, was also present.


    She cursed her bad luck internally as he made his way toward her.


    Yvonne held a wine ss, swirling its contents slowly, pointedly ignoring him.


    "You''ve had your fun. Isn''t it time to let it go?" Matthew said, his eyes narrowed as he took her in. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. The ugly duckling had somehow transformed into a swan when he wasn''t looking. "You can still change your mind, Yvonne. We don''t have to cancel the engagement. When you turn twenty, we can get married as nned."


    Yvonne lowered her gaze and took a delicate sip of her wine. She could guess what he was thinking. He wanted his first love, Queena, but he couldn''t let go of the devoted fiancée who had once revolved around him. He wanted it all.


    "Have the new agreement drawn up and get it to me to sign as soon as possible. Once the property and funds are transferred to my name, we arepletely finished."


    With that, she set down her ss, stood up, and walked away. The very sight of him made her nauseous.


    She headed toward Bet. Just as she reached him, his phone vibrated. He nced at the caller ID and said to her, "I need to take this. Don''t wander off."


    Yvonne nodded obediently, watching as he stood at the end of the hallway to take the call. A faint softness touched his features, and she felt an odd tightness in her chest. It must be his girlfriend, she thought.


    While Bet was on the phone, Queena spotted him. She couldn''t fathom what charm that pathetic, abused girl could possibly possess to attract the heir of the Thompson family. A man of Bet''s power status, and charisma should belong to her.


    "Waiter,” Queena called, selecting a ss of champagne from a passing tray. She glided gracefully toward Bet. As she passed him, she suddenly stumbled, her body falling limply toward him.


    But Bet reacted instinctively, taking a step back as if dodging a contagion. He sidestepped herpletely.


    Caught off guard by his swift


    avoidance, Queena lost her bnce entirely. With a shriek, she crashed heavily to the floor in an ungraceful heap. To make matters worse, she was wearing a very short designer dress, and the fall left herpletely exposed.