Sandra drove them from the military base into the city. By the time they arrived, it was lunchtime.


    She had chosen a high-end restaurant. "I know you like this kind of food, so I had my assistant book a table. My treat today."


    "Thanks, Sandra," Yvonne smiled. Beside her, Bullet sat up, raising his front paws as if to thank her as well.


    "What a good boy," Sandra said, reaching over to pet his head. This time, Bullet didn''t pull away. It seems a free meal can soften even the hardest of hearts.


    Their table was on the second floor. As the hostess led them upstairs, they passed a private room where Matthew was entertaining guests.


    The door was ajar, and Matthew was holding a ss, toasting a middle-aged man.


    "Mr. Lee, I''ll drink this whole ss. You can drink as you please," the once-arrogant Mr. Gonzalez said, his posture now incredibly deferential.


    "Just one ss? Are you looking down on me, Mr. Gonzalez?" Mr. Lee replied with a smirk, clearly enjoying making Matthew squirm.


    Matthew downed three full sses of hard liquor in a row, his face turning pale. Still, he forced a smile. "Mr. Lee, I promise to drink with you to your heart''s content tonight. Please, just consider investing in mypany. You know it once generated billions in profit. It''s one of the most promisingpanies in the industry."


    “Matthew, it''s not that I don''t want to help you. But the Thompson Group has gutted yourpany of its core technology. If I invest, I won''t be able to answer to my shareholders," Mr. Lee said, feigning difficulty.


    Matthew refilled his ss, his expression fawning, almost groveling.


    So, he did know how to bow his head and beg after all.


    Yvonne remembered when the Gonzalez family first went bankrupt. Matthew had clung to his pride, refusing to lower himself. The original Yvonne had run herself ragged trying to secure investments for him, enduring endless drinking parties and unwanted advances.


    But Matthew had shown no gratitude. He had even called her spineless, born to be stepped on.


    Now, without her, he was finally getting a taste of what it felt like to be humbled.


    As he was being forced to drink by one investor after another, Matthew looked up and saw Yvonne standing in the doorway.


    She wore a simple, elegant dress, looking refined and untouched by the world.


    The moment their eyes met, Matthew flinched and looked away, all his former confidence gone.


    Yvonne let out a cold scoff and turned away.


    "What are you looking at?" Sandra asked. She had reached their private room and noticed Yvonne had fallen behind.


    "Nothing," Yvonne replied. “Just someone unimportant.”


    The two of them, plus one dog, ordered a modest meal. The waiter even


    thoughtfully brought a bowl for Bullet.


    After they finished eating, Sandra drove Yvonne and Bullet back to the Spencer estate.


    "Bullet, say goodbye to Sandra,"


    Yvonne said as she and the dog got


    out of the car Bullet stood en kis


    hind legs, raising a paw to wave at Sandra.


    Once Sandra''s car was gone, Yvonne led the dog toward the mansion.


    Inside, in the first-floor living room, George was sitting with a grim expression, sipping his tea. He turned to Queena, who was seated beside him.


    "The word is out. Matthew''s


    from bankruptcy. He''s


    waste of space. You sta


    away from him before


    onto you."


    Queena, who was nibbling on expensive imported fruit, replied nonchntly, "When the Gonzalez family went bankrupt the first time, no one thought Matthew would make aeback. He''s looking for investors now; he might still have chance. Let''s just keep him on the hook for now. Besides, he''s like a dog around me. Toss him a bone, and hees running."