Bet was thrown back against the seat by her push.


    His dark eyes deepened. After staring at her for a moment, he said in a low, raspy voice, "Sorry."


    "It''s fine. I know you''re just drunk, Mr. Thompson. But you have a fiancée, so you should stop kissing other girls randomly. It would hurt your fiancée if she found out."


    Yvonne tried hard to control her emotions, but her voice still cracked with a sob.


    After she spoke, she quickly opened the door, got out, and ran toward the apartment building.


    Bet watched her back disappear from sight before he finally got out of the car.


    He didn''t go back to the apartment. Instead, he leaned against the car door, took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, and lit one. The ember glowed and faded between two fingers of his left hand.


    For some time after that, Yvonne didn''t see Bet again.


    Bet was busy with work, so it was normal for him not to be at the apartment. Besides, after two unexpected kisses, any encounter between them would only be awkward.


    Yvonne had been recovering at the apartment, turning down most of her work. Now that she was healed, Sandra gradually started arranging jobs for her again.


    Yvonnended two endorsement deals, both with impressive fees.


    Her and Sandra''s studio was now profitable. However, they donated most of the profits to the Red Cross, educational charities, and foundations supporting the elderly and children with serious illnesses or financial hardships.


    In her past life, Yvonne''s dream had been to be a police officer and serve the people.


    But her current body was too weak, with a congenital heart defect that had required surgery. Although she seemed normal, she would never pass the physical exam for the police academy or the military.


    Still, Yvonne had always been one to adapt to her circumstances.


    If she couldn''t fight evil, she could still do good. The high ie of a celebrity could be used to give back to society.


    As for Sandra, she was alone and didn''t need much money. She saw donating the money as a way of earning blessings for herte husband.


    Besides the endorsements, Yvonne also epted a role in a new TV series.


    It was a historical fantasy series, a major S-tier production, starring a cast of A-listers and top trending actors. Yvonne was cast as the second female lead.


    Although it was a supporting role, the character was a ssic tragic heroine- beautiful, strong, and doomed—which always resonated with audiences.


    Normally, a role like this, coveted by


    so many


    talented actresses, would


    have been out of Yvonne''s reach


    But she hadnded it with surprising


    ease.


    She had assumed it was just good luck, but sheter found out that Thomas had


    rmended her to the director.


    As the heir to the Taylor family and a top-tier actor, his rmendation carried a lot of weight.


    If Yvonne had known before signing that Thomas had gotten her the role, she definitely would have refused. She didn''t want to be indebted to him.


    But the contract was signed, and she couldn''t back out.


    Yvonne had no choice but to call Thomas to express her gratitude.


    "If you really want to thank me, you could do me a favor," Thomas said casually on the other end of the line.


    Yvonne asked, "What favor?"


    Thomas replied, “I have a banquet to attend this weekend, and I don''t have a date yet. Would you be my plus-one?"


    It was just being his date, so Yvonne agreed without a second thought.


    For the banquet, Yvonne chose a haute couture gown. She didn''t have to pay for it;


    it was sponsored by the brand.


    The pale-yellow, backless gown set


    off her snow-white skin, making ber look radiant and captivating. A


    of


    matching set of diamond earrings. and a ne made her seem to sparkle.


    When Thomas saw her, his eyes lit up.