"Oh, I''m so sorry! My hand slipped," Yvonne said, mimicking Marcia''s earlier gesture by covering her mouth in mock surprise.


    Marcia knew Yvonne had done it on purpose, but this was the Thompson Group''s banquet. No matter how impulsive she was, she wouldn''t dare cause a scene here.


    Her eyes red with anger, Marcia could only cover her chest with her hands and make a hasty retreat.


    After Marcia left, Teresa finally looked at Yvonne.


    They had just had an unpleasant encounter, and Teresa was still annoyed with Yvonne. But since Yvonne had just defended her, she was willing to forgive her, for


    now.


    Teresa was about to speak, hoping to smooth things over with Yvonne, but Yvonne didn''t even look at her and simply walked away.


    However, Yvonne had only taken a few steps before Steven appeared and blocked


    her path.


    "Ms. Jones." Steven was also dressed in a suit and tie, his attitude toward Yvonne polite and proper.


    "What can I do for you, Mr. Hughes?" Yvonne asked coolly, raising an eyebrow.


    "Would I have the honor of this dance, Ms. Jones?" Steven asked, offering his hand and bowing slightly in a very gentlemanly posture.


    Eyes were already turning their way. If Yvonne were to refuse and walk away now, it would be a huge public humiliation for Steven.


    Yvonne wasn''t afraid of trouble, but there was no need to offend the Hughes family over something so trivial.


    Yvonne lightly ced her hand in Steven''s and followed him onto the dance floor. Steven used the dance as an opportunity to make conversation with Yvonne.


    It''s easy to tell when a man is interested in a woman. And Steven was now clearly interested in Yvonne.


    Yvonne truly couldn''t understand his logic. Did the great young master of the Hughes family enjoy being insulted?!


    What a peculiar hobby.


    Bet was patiently helping Emma greet guests when he looked up and saw Yvonne dancing with Steven Hughes.


    Bet had heard the rumors about the proposed alliance between the James and Hughes families, and how Stever had rejected all the other younger members of the James family in favor of Yvonne.


    And this heartless little thing not only wasn''t avoiding him, but she hadn''t even given him a single nce all evening.


    Bet felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest, but he couldn''t bring himself to be angry with her. He could only let his gaze drift toward her from time to time.


    Ynda and the Walkers had left for a while butter returned to Emma''s side.


    "Mrs. Thompson, red wine can be quite strong. I brought you some champagne. You''re the star of tonights banquet, after, all Ynda handed a ss of champagne to Emma.


    "Girls are so much more thoughtful than those pesky boys," Emma said with augh, epting the ss.


    Seeing this, those nearby immediately began to tter them.


    "With a mom as wonderful as you, Mrs. Thompson, any daughter-inw would be lucky."


    "That''s right! Mrs. Thompson personallymissioned Ms. Walker''s couture gown. I heard it cost over thirty million."


    "It seems a wedding is on the horizon for the two families."


    "Mr. Thompson, when can we expect our wedding invitation?"


    someone asked, looking at Bet with a teasing smile.


    Emma just kept smiling, not refuting anyone''sments, which was a clear sign of silent agreement.


    Ynda looked shyly toward Bet, a demure blush on her face.


    Bet''s expression, however, turned icy.


    He wasn''t oblivious to the Walkers'' and Ynda''s scheme. They were clearly using Emma as a pawn, seizing every opportunity to solidify the connection between the tw Families


    But Bet had never been one to be manipted.