"Why are you bringing up outsiders in our home?" Teresa said, her tone growing impatient. "Go change your clothes."


    "You''re dripping like a stray cat. What are you still standing here for?" George added irritably.


    "I need ten million," Yvonne said, her eyes fixed on George, cold enough to burn. It took every ounce of her self-control not tosh out.


    "What for?" George snapped.


    "To buy a burial plot," she answered, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    "A burial plot for what? Are you trying to cause trouble?" he roared.


    "Yvonne, why on earth would you buy a burial plot? That''s such a morbid thing to do!" Teresa added.


    “Burial plots are for the dead, obviously. And I''m not just buying a plot; I''m hiring a priest to perform thest rites," Yvonne said. Though she was soaked and shivering, her wide, innocent eyes held a chilling quality. "Marina''s fiancé is dead, and she probably won''tst much longer. They died in a car crash, a very gruesome one. His brains were sttered everywhere, and his face was... unrecognizable. I''ve heard that those who die unjustly often be vengeful ghosts, haunting those who wronged them..."


    "Enough! Stop it!" George shouted, his face paling with a flicker of fear.


    So, he did feel fear after all.


    "Dad, you look so pale. Are you scared?" Yvonne''s voice was deceptively sweet. "But you have nothing to fear. An innocent man has a clear conscience. It''s not like you were the one who caused their deaths, right?"


    Her dark, clear eyes seemed to pierce right through him. George''s face was ashen. For a man who hadmitted such evil, the mention of ghosts and spirits clearly struck a nerve.


    "Marina was one of thepany''s artists. I''ll have Sandra handle the funeral arrangements," he said, his voice low and strained, desperate to change the subject. "Don''t get involved. The movie you starred in was just nominated for a Best Neer award I''ve already spoken with themittee to


    Best


    ensure you win. You should focus on preparing for the red carpet."


    "I understand, Dad," Yvonne replied, her expression obedient. "I''ll go to my room now."


    She knew that without evidence, she couldn''t hurt him. Arguing was pointless. Her clothes were cold and sticking to her skin, so she might as


    well atience was key


    well goupstairs, shower, and rest


    Sandra was right


    She would continue to gather


    evidence until she could finally bring him to justice.


    Back in her room, Yvonne showered, changed intofortable loungewear, and


    had a maid bring her a bowl of hot soup. After eating, she finally went to bed.


    The next few w days were a whirlwind


    of preparations for the film festival awards ceremony-selecting a gown, choosing jewelry, and drafting an eptance speech. It was Ker first award, and it had to be perfect. Numerous brands offered to sponsor her but yvonne turned them all down. Instead, she


    Hobart Cooper, a master tailor. A


    dress from him was said to bring


    victory-a fitting sentiment.


    Hobart was a native of Istra, still living in the old family home passed down through generations. The ground floor served as his workshop, while he and his wife lived upstairs.