As the party began, music filled the ballroom and lights danced across the room.


    Yvonne was still sitting at her corner table in the back. Feeling bored, she was contemting leaving when her phone, lying on the table, suddenly rang.


    Yvonne picked it up and saw Bet''s name on the screen.


    Standing up, she took her phone and quickly walked out of the ballroom into the quiet hallway to answer the call.


    "Took you a while to answer. Are you busy?"


    "I''m at your family''s party."


    There was a brief silence on Bet''s end before he said, "You''re at Eden''s engagement party?"


    Yvonne nodded, though he couldn''t see her. “An actress from my show dragged me here for fun. The Walkers hired a few celebrities to be Ynda''s bridesmaids, and she''s one of them. I didn''t know it was their engagement party before I came, or I wouldn''t have."


    "Since the party is so boring, I''lle pick you up."


    Yvonne teased, "Does the ever-busy Mr. Thompson have the time?"


    "I can always make time for my girlfriend," Bet said with augh. "I''ll be there in half an hour."


    "Do you know where it is?"


    "You said it yourself, it''s my family''s party. Of course, I know," Bet replied with a hint of self-mockery.


    Though Bet spent most of his time in the military, as the Thompson heir, he would never let the family''s affairs fall out of his control.


    He received immediate updates on any developments, whether from his grandfather, Tobias, Noah, or even Frank.


    An engagement party that was the talk of the town was certainly no exception.


    Bet truly didn''t understand Frank. Being filial didn''t mean being foolishly obedient.


    By throwing such a grand party for Eden just to appease his mother, Frank had made the family aughingstock in high society.


    It was hardly news for a wealthy family to have a few illegitimate children.


    ????


    But such matters were typically scandals to be covered up, not broadcast for all to see Only the Thompsons seemed unafraid of airing their dirtyundry.


    Aside from Frank and his mother, no other members of the Thompson family had attended, mostly because they found it humiliating.


    After hanging up with Bet, Yvonne remained in the quiet, empty hallway.


    Bet would be there in half an hour, so she leaned against the wall and yed game on her phone to pass the time.


    She had just cleared a few levels when she heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the corridor.


    ncing up, she was surprised to see members of the James family rushing in.


    Marcia and Mrs. James, along with Caroline and Letitia, hurried into the ballroom, clearlyte.


    It was a well-known secret that the James family was rife with internal conflict yet they always maintained a facade of family harmony at public events. It was rather ridiculous.


    As the group entered, they came face-to-face with Yvonne.


    "What are you doing here?" Marcia demanded, her tone usatory.


    Yvonne remained leaningzily against the wall. She gave the Jameses a brief indifferent nc before her attention returned to her phone. She replied coolly.


    “It''s a public ce. If you can be here, so can I.”


    "Why are you at an engagement party?" Mrs. James asked, her curiosity piqued.


    After all, Yvonne was the reason Ynda and Bet had broken up.


    "Is that any of your business?" Yvonne''s reply was just as cold.