A brief silence fell over the group of four, broken only by Jessa Lane, who was still oblivious to the undercurrents.


    "Finding any good ones, Yvonne? The shells on this ind are absolutely stunning!"


    Public beaches sometimes had shells washed ashore, but with so many people, they were quickly snatched up and rarely seen.


    This private ind, however, was incredibly secluded. Apart from the annualpany retreat, only the Thompson family came here for vacations, so the shells on the beach remained untouched.


    Jessa''s eyes lit up. She leaned closer, her fingers grazing Thomas''s arm as she looked at him expectantly. "Thomas, let''s go pick some shells too. We could string them into bracelets or make a wind chime."


    Both the Taylor and Lane families were interested in a marriage alliance, and Jessa hade to the Thompson Group''s retreat with one goal in mind: to work her charms on Thomas.


    Though it was an arranged match, Thomas was more than just an A-list actor; he had a raw, maic presence and a build that demanded attention, and Jessa was already falling fast.


    "If you like them, go ahead and get some. I have something to do, so I''m heading back," Thomas''s voice remained chillingly detached.


    He turned and strode off without a second nce, leaving Jessa standing frozen, her face burning as the heat of public humiliation washed over her.


    "Ms. Lane, would you like to join me?" Yvonne offered, holding up her small pail to give Jessa an out.


    Jessa forced a somewhat strained smile and nodded.


    "Don''t go into the water. It''s slippery, and what if you fall?" Bet cautioned Yvonne.


    Yvonne and Jessa collected shells together for a short while before Jessa lost interest.


    Yvonne had already gathered more than half a pail, enough to make a wind chime to hang by her bed.


    The group returned to their amodations together.


    After Bet and Yvonne went back to their room, he helped her wash all the shells she had collected and borrowed a set of tools from the staff.


    Bet drilled holes in the shells, and Yvonne strung them together, finally hanging the finished piece by the window. The couple waspletely absorbed in their little project.


    Not wanting to be rebuffed by Thomas''s cold shoulder again, Jessa went straight to Letitia Bishop''s room to chat.


    Letitia was dressed to the nines, ready for a beachside soiree with the Thompson Group executivester that night.


    However, since it was still early, Letitia had time to talk with Jessa.


    Seeing Jessa''s listless expression, Letitia knew at a nce that she hadn''t won Thomas over yet.


    Jessa wasn''t bad-looking, came from a good family, and was well-educated. Unfortunately, there was just no spark from Thomas''s side.


    "Mr. Taylor probably prefers the girl-next-door type like Yvonne


    vel


    Jones. You''re just not hing


    tea card casually, fiddling


    with her hair.


    "Mr. Taylor likes Yvonne? But isn''t Yvonne married to Mr. Bet Thompson?"


    Jessa asked, her face a mask of astonishment.


    Letitia put down herb, turned to Jessa, and continued.


    "You just got back from abroad, so you don''t know what''s been going on in Istra. When Yvonne was filming with Mr. Taylor, they


    was looking for a daughter-inw from a family with a real


    somehow got involved. Mrs. Tallet


    pedigree-someone like you-and wouldn''t even give Yvonne a second look. Then, somehow, Yvonne hooked Mr. Bet Thompson We all thought he was just ying around with her, but who knew she was so capable? She actually married into the Thompson family."


    "And Bet''s parents actually signed off on that?" Jessa asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.


    For the elite, a casual fling was one thing, but marriage was always a matter of pedigree, not something they could decide for themselves.