Mr. Scott Sr. was a ssic old-school academic, the kind of man who could lecture you for an hour with a stern expression. Every time Yvonne saw him, she felt more nervous than when she faced her dean in college.


    Bet knew her well. He smiled and gently ruffled her hair. “Don''t wander off. I''ll be right back after I say hello to Mr. Scott Sr."


    "Okay," Yvonne nodded obediently.


    The Scotts hadn''t invited many guests tonight; everyone present had a formal invitation.


    Yvonne didn''t have much inmon with the other attendees, so she decided to wander through the house on her own.


    Many of the oil paintings and calligraphy works had been reced since herst visit. The Scott family''s collection was so profound that the art-adorned walls felt like a private museum.


    After looking for a while, she still found herself most drawn to "Lavender Grove."


    "You really like this painting, don''t you? I''ve seen you looking at it for quite some time," a gentle, low voice said from behind her.


    Yvonne turned instinctively and saw Cynthia, dressed in a simple, elegant dress, standing just behind her.


    It had been nearly a decade since Yvonne hadst seen her.


    The Cynthia of today had shed her youthful innocence, reced by a mature, sophisticated grace that was utterly captivating.


    "I heard thenguage ofvender is ''waiting for love.'' The atmosphere of this painting is beautiful," Yvonne said.


    Cynthia nced at Yvonne, then back at the painting on the wall. With a voice tinged with nostalgia and regret, she said, "I once had a little sister. She loved this painting, just like you. I told her I''d give it to her as a wedding gift, but... I never got the chance."


    After Yvonne''s death, Cynthia had made a special trip back to the country to visit her grave at the martyrs'' cemetery. She had often told her family that one of her biggest regrets was not giving Yvonne the painting while she was still alive.


    "I''m sure she received your sentiment," Yvonne replied with a soft smile.


    Cynthia paused, her lips parting as if to say something more, but she was interrupted by a male voice from behind.


    "Cynthia, it''s been a long time,” Bet said as he walked over to stand beside Yvonne.


    Cynthia''s gaze, now filled with confusion, shifted between the two of them.


    "Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Yvonne," Bet said.


    A flicker of astonishment crossed


    Cynthia''s eyes, but she quicklyposed herself and offered an elegant smile. "She seems very


    sweet and well-behaved. A good match for you."


    Bet knew it was just polite formality and nodded with a faint smile.


    Ever since Cynthia and Noah had broken up, the rtionship between the Scott and Thompson families had grown distant.


    After a few more pleasantries with Bet, Cynthia excused herself to greet other guests.


    "Cynthia seems to have changed a lot," Yvonne remarked, watching her mingle andugh with others, a smile that never quite reached her eyes.


    "People change," Bet said.


    "But you haven''t changed, and


    neither have I," Yvonne said, tilting her head to look at him her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes seeming to hold a gxy of @ny stars.


    Bet smiled and gently stroked her hair.


    The guest list for the Scotts'' party was small butprised of Istra''s most influential figures.


    Yvonne didn''t know most of them, but as the head of the Thompson family, this was Bet''s world, hiswork.


    He moved through the crowd with ease, making conversation. Not wanting to be a bother, Yvonne found a quiet spot and nibbled on the small cakes provided at f party.