Ynda textedn to ask what time he was going to the set tomorrow.
He replied right away: [10 AM. Youing?]
Ynda felt a bit better. In the suffocating Sinir family, chatting with Ian was surprisingly rxing. [I’ll be there. Is your boxing room all set up?] she replied.
Ian sent a photo a minuteter. It showed a 1000–square–foot space with one punching bag standing on the floor and a few more hanging from the ceiling.
He was in a ck short–sleeve, one hand slipped into a ck boxing glove. Even from the picture, Ynda could see the veins in his arm, subtle but noticeable.
Ynda’s lips twitched into a small smile. If Ian got that lead role in Simone’s show, his career would take off for sure. <fnd1ab> ?????? ???? ?ovelFind</fnd1ab>
Charles‘ voice cut in from beside her, “Who you texting?”
Ynda tightened her grip on the phone for a split second, then set it down casually. “Megan, my partner at the studio,” she said tly. “She had a car ident a couple days ago. I’m just checking in.”
Charles poked her cheek with a finger. “Smiling that soft for her?”
‘I smiled softly? No, that was an ambitious grin,‘ Ynda thought. Still, she put on a tender smile, though she couldn’t care less about him. “I smile like that for you too, honey,” she said.
As they held each other’s gaze, Flora interrupted, “Since you two are so close, when are you gonna think about kids? Charles, you’re twenty–eight–time to start thinking about it.”
Charles’s smile faltered. He took Ynda’s hand,cing their fingers together. “Ynda’s health isn’t the best. We’ll talk about it in a few years.”
‘He doesn’t want kids, but he used me <b>as </b><b>a </b>shield. Bet Flora will now think I can’t have babies, Ynda thought.
Sure enough, Flora’s face soured. She turned to the butler beside her, ordering, “Arrange a full checkup for Ynda. See if there’s something wrong with her womb.”
“Yes, Mrs. Sinir,” the butler replied.
Ynda tensed, anger flickering for a second as she nced at Charles.
Charles stayed cool, calmn as ever. “Grandma, no need for that. She’s just on the delicate side.
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Pregnancy might make her worse. Let’s wait.”
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Flora’s face was stone–cold. “Wasn’t she married to have kids? It’s been two years–nothing. Wait much longer, and the other woman might beat her to it.”
Ynda dropped her gaze<b>, </b>thinking, ‘Fine. Let the other woman have his kid. Sophie’d jump at the chance.‘ But when she looked up, her face was all worry. “Honey, I can handle it. Let’s try tonight. Honestly, I want a baby too.”
Charles’s expression clouded over.
Flora let out a relieved breath, pleased Ynda was being “sensible.” She smiled, “I have some special wine. Take a bottle home tonight. It’ll help you get pregnant in two weeks, guaranteed.”
Charles said nothing, slowly letting go of Ynda’s hand. She could tell that he was repulsed.
After dinner, as Charles and Ynda prepared to leave, Flora had someone fetch a bottle of her special wine, which was packed with god–knows–what “fertility supplements.”
Ynda’s eyshes fluttered, and she looked up with a smile. “Grandma, one bottle might not be enough. Could you get a few more? Charles…” She paused, seeming to hold back the rest.
Flora’s face shifted. She quickly ordered someone to fetch five more bottles. These were packed with heavy–duty stuff, the kind that’d make even a sterile man to a brothel.
Simone hid a smirk from the side. ‘Ynda’s got some nerve, she thought.
Charles stood by the car, jaw tight. He didn’t say yes or no–just stayed quiet.
Ynda hurried to the guys carrying the wine. “Stick those in the trunk, please. Thanks,” she said. Then she nced at Simone.
Simone made a phone gesture, signaling they’d connectter.
Ynda nodded, then climbed into the car with Charles.
They didn’t head to Moonbay Estate. Instead, they drove to Muse Club. It was the spot for rich kids, <b>a </b>fancy bar that burned cash. Members only, no randoms allowed.
Charles unbuttoned the top of his cor, clearly ticked about those five bottles of special wine.
“Why here?” Ynda’s lips curved a little. He actually brought her out tonight–how “generous.”
Charles hauled her into hisp. “You think I can’t perform because I’ve been ignoring you?”
Ynda’s <b>face </b>flickered, but quickly she collected herself. “Honey, I want a baby. But you keep
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shutting me down–what else was I supposed to do?” she murmured, her voice dripping with false sweetness<b>. </b>
Charles dropped the act, gripping her chin. “Ynda, you remember the rule? No baby for you.”
Ynda looked down, silent.
Charles softened his voice. “It’s just a kid. I’ll make it up to you another way.”
Ynda looked at him. “Really? Then I want an agent, Tessa Gilbert.”
Charles frowned. That name rang a bell.
Ynda continued, “I want to sign her to my studio. Since I can’t be in the spotlight, she’ll front for me. I checked her out–she’s good. She can get resources from Starlight Entertainment for me.”
To Charles, this was small potatoes. At least it was better than her going on about a baby. He looked toward the front and called, “Jack.”
Jack answered right away, respectful. “I’ll let the execs at Starlight Entertainment know ASAP.“”
Charles nodded, patted Ynda’s cheek, and said, “Don’t pull this kind of stunt again. Grandma’s getting old and might actually believe you.”
Ynda dropped her gaze, acting docile. “Got it. My bad tonight.”
Jack almost spoke up–Tessa had ticked off Sophie. But with Ynda asking and Charles agreeing, he kept his mouth shut. He was just an outsider, and he knew better than to get involved.
Finally, Yndanded a legitimate chance to use “Tessa Gilbert” in public. This was just the first step, and by the time Charles figured it out, it’d be way toote.
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11:35 Wed<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>10 </b>