"And Karina agreed?" Yvonne asked.


    Given the White family''s standing, marrying Noah was a real Cindere story for Karina. Yvonne couldn''t imagine her letting go so easily.


    "It doesn''t matter if she agrees or not," Bet scoffed.


    When the Thompson family wanted to end a rtionship, the White family had no say in the matter. If they cooperated, they would receive somepensation. If they didn''t, they would face the full force of the Thompson family''s heavy-handed tactics. "Cynthia has been back for what, less than two months, and Noah and Karina are already splitting up. I''m d I don''t have a rival like her," Yvonne muttered.


    Bet took her hand and squeezed it gently. "With me, no one will ever take the ce that belongs to you. Whether you came back or not, I would have been right here, waiting for you."


    After leaving the restaurant, Bet drove Yvonne back to her hotel.


    He parked across the street, under the shade of a tree.


    Leaning over, he started to unbuckle her seatbelt, but Yvonne wrapped her arms softly around his neck.


    "Suddenly, I don''t want to go back."


    "Don''t be difficult. You have to be up early for makeup tomorrow. If youe back with me now, what time will you have to wake up to get back here?" Bet said with a sigh.


    "I don''t have to go back with you. You coulde back with me," Yvonne said, ncing at the hotel across the street.


    Bet couldn''t help but chuckle.


    He started the car again and drove it into the hotel''s underground parking garage. From there, they took the direct elevator up to Yvonne''s floor.


    Hotels were full of prying eyes, so to avoid being photographed, they walked down the hallway one after the other, keeping a short distance between them.


    Yvonne reached her room and was


    vel


    just taking out her key card when the door to the room opposite hers opened. Thomas stepped out, dressed in a set of dark gray loungewear, looking like he was. about to go find his assistant next door.


    "You''re back," Thomas said, greeting her.


    "Yeah," Yvonne nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.


    Why were people still wandering the halls thiste? She felt a little embarrassed


    about being caught bringing Bet back to her room for the night.


    “Get some rest, then. We have a full day of shooting tomorrow, and you have an early makeup call," Thomas reminded her kindly.


    Yvonne mumbled an agreement, silently willing Bet to have the sense to wait until Thomas was gone before he appeared.


    ber


    But the thought had barely crossed her mind when a solid, warm chest pressed against her from behind. Bet took the hand holding! key card and swiped it to open the door.


    "We''re heading in. You get some rest too, Cousin. Goodnight," Bet said, ncing back at Thomas. Then with an arm around Yvonne,


    the


    he guided her tooom and


    shut the door with a soft click.


    The lights were off, leaving the room in darkness.


    Bet pressed Yvonne against the door, their bodies flush against each other, close enough to hear every breath and heartbeat.


    Yvonne tilted her chin up to look at him. In the dim light, his dark eyes were exceptionally deep and bright.


    She rose onto her toes and instinctively kissed the corner of his mouth.


    "Missed me?” Bet whispered, his lips brushing her ear, his voice low and husky. "Mhm," Yvonne nodded honestly.


    "Want me?" he asked again, his maic voiceced with seduction.


    "Mhm," Yvonne nodded once more, her arms tightening around his neck as she kissed him again...