With that, Eden ced his cup on the coffee table. The soft clink of porcin against wood sounded unusually sharp in the quiet study.


    "Thank you for your hospitality today. I might be busy for a while, so contact me when you''ve made up your mind." Eden then stood up and walked out of the study.


    He paused at the door, turned back, and added, “Just a reminder, make your decision quickly. My patience has its limits."


    Leaving that final warning hanging in the air, Eden left.


    As he descended the stairs, he saw Belinda still sitting in the living room on the first floor.


    "Oh, Eden, the chef made your favorite dishes. Why don''t you stay for dinner?" Belinda said with a smile.


    "No, thank you. I have other things to do. I''lle see you again when I have time.” With that, Eden left without another word.


    Belinda watched until he was out of sight before hurrying upstairs.


    She knocked on the study door and then pushed it open to enter.


    "Vincent."


    "Yes," Vincent nodded. "Has Eden left?"


    "He just left," Belinda replied. She sighed and added, "Ynda seems genuinely upset. I can tell she really doesn''t like Eden..."


    "Who does she like, then?" Vincent snapped, cutting her off.


    He had been bottling up his anger, and Belinda had just walked right into the line of fire.


    Vincent mmed his cup onto the coffee table and pointed at his wife, furious. "What have you been teaching your daughter? No ss at all! Both families are here—who''s she trying to embarrass with this little tantrum?”


    "Who does she like? Oscar? Bet? The Rogers family rejected her because of her health, and Oscar obeyed his family and broke up with her. She has a thing for Bet, but does Bet like her back? If she could find a way to get pregnant with Bet''s child I wouldn''t be in this passive position, being threatened by an illegitimate son.


    Belinda: "Eden threatened you?"


    Vincent shot her a look, barely containing his fury. "Stay out of what doesn''t concern you. Focus on raising your daughter right-get her health in order so she can have a child with Eden soon. Once the Thompson inheritance is secure she''ll have her pick of men for the rest of her life."


    Eden had a point about one thing: his child with Ynda would indeed be a legitimate heir to the Thompson fortune.


    If Eden himself proved uncooperative, they could always just keep the child and get rid of the father.


    "Everyone knows Frank only acknowledges Bet as his son. If there''s a will, the inheritance won''t go to Eden, even if Ynda risks having a child. Vincent, are you nning to make a move against Bet?"


    Having been with Vincent for years, Belinda knew him well and understood the situation clearly.


    "I need more time to think. This won''t be easy," Vincent said, leaning back on the sofa and pressing his fingers to his forehead.


    A week before filming for The Cyan Fox was set to begin, the cast started shooting their promotional photos.


    Yvonne and Shirley were in the makeup room together.


    Director Vasquez''s set was egalitarian; all the actors shared onerge dressing


    room, with no special treatment for anyone, regardless of their fame.


    A makeup artist was working on Yvonne''s eyes. She kept them closed, listening to Shirley''s voice.


    "I just saw Thomas'' van outside. I think he''s ying the third male lead, a special guest role. There''s been no official announcement yet so they''re probably saving it as a big reveal to generat? buzz when filming starts."