Yvonne and Thomas discussed the script as they walked. Setting aside personal feelings, Thomas was a truly great mentor and friend, and he helped Yvonne a great deal.


    When they returned to the hotel, Yvonne had just stepped into her room when her phone rang.


    She picked it up, nced at the caller ID, and answered.


    On the other end was Bet''s deep, pleasant voice. "Wrapped for the day?"


    "Yeah, we just wrapped. I''m back at the hotel," Yvonne replied, then asked, "What about you?"


    "I just got out of a meeting. Heading to the mess hall for dinner," Bet said.


    "What''s on the menu today?" Yvonne asked casually, making small talk.


    Bet replied, "At this hour, I can only order à carte."


    Yvonne said, "The head chef makes a mean pepper steak."


    Back when she was filming that reality show on the base, the mess hall''s pepper steak had been her absolute favorite.


    "Pepper steak it is, then," Bet said with augh.


    "You''re just trying to make me jealous," Yvonne huffed.


    These days, her dinners were restricted to shrimp and vegetables; meat and carbs werepletely off-limits.


    "I''ll bring you here for some next time," Bet offered with a warm smile. "By the way, are you free this weekend?"


    Yvonne had walked into the bathroom while on the phone and was now sitting on the edge of the tub, running a bath. "Miss me?" she asked casually.


    "I do," Bet affirmed with a gentleugh. "It''s Grandpa''s birthday this weekend. Even though it''s just a family dinner, it wouldn''t be right for you to miss it."


    "Then I''ll ask the director for a day off," Yvonne said.


    That weekend, Yvonne took the day off.


    Bet had offered to drive out and pick her up, but the film set was so far from the city that she refused, not wanting him to make the long trip back and forth.


    She got up early, showered, did her makeup, ate the breakfast her assistant brought her, and changed into a dress, ready to head out.


    Even though it was a family dinner, she knew guests would be stopping by, so while she didn''t overdo it, her white cocktail dress was both exquisite and elegant.


    As Yvonne was leaving her room, she happened to run into Thomas, who was also just stepping out.


    "Good morning, Mr. Taylor," Yvonne greeted with a smile.


    Thomas nodded and handed her a


    gift bag. "This is from my parents for


    Grandpa Ted They''re out of the


    and


    country and couldn''t deliver it in person and I''ve got a full day of shooting, so I can''t get away could


    you take it for me?"


    The Thompsons and the Taylors were distantly rted, so Yvonne couldn''t refuse. She took the bag and nodded.


    Yvonne drove by herself to the residentialpound where Mr. Thompson Sr. lived.


    It wasn''t a milestone birthday for Mr. Thompson Sr., so he hadn''t nned arge


    celebration. Besides, his position made avish party inappropriate.


    Nevertheless, oldrades-in-arms, former subordinates, and people the old man had mentored over the years trickled in to pay their respects. Their gifts weren''t extravagant but all were deeply thoughtful.


    The main branch of the family and Frank''s family were all present, of course.


    Tobias, Noah, and Karina arrived.


    Karina, who came a bitter, still


    carried herself as Mrs. Thompson without a shred of self-awareness, nearly giving Band a heart attack from pure rage.


    Frank and Emma had arrived much earlier, while Bet,ing from the base, was a littlete.


    But the moment he arrived, he became the center of attention.


    In the Thompson family now, only Bet could carry on Mr. Thompson Sr.''s legacy, and he was poised to go even higher and further than his grandfather. Bet had barely stepped through the gate before a crowd swarmed him with pleasantries. He only managed to slip away after Frank and Emma intervened.