It waste at night, and Hugh was dragging his shattered leg down a filthy alley, every <b>step </b>a battle. The sharp click of high heels echoed behind him, making him freeze in ce.


    When he saw Ynda step into the light, he gave a bitter twist of his lips. “Mrs. Sinir, <b>you </b>were right. Mr. Sinir really did let me live.”


    Ynda stood tall, her bag in hand, her back straight as a rod. “Dr. Thornton, you resent me. Sure, those rich wives forced your hand, but can you swear you still have a shred ofpassion left <b>as </b>a doctor?”


    Her words stabbed straight into Hugh’s heart. He stood there, dazed for several seconds, memories flooding back–how he’d once sworn to his mentor to always put saving lives first. But in the <b>end</b>, he’d let himself get swept up by money and power.


    Those women who became mistresses were at fault, but he was far from cleaning hirnself. He stayed silent. dragging his injured leg onward.


    Ynda watched his retreating figure. “If you do this, your daughter won’t end up as their pawn. record, they won’t dare <b>use </b>her. She can go abroad.


    With your


    “I know you’re not willing to ept this, Dr. Thornton, but if you keep sinking into this mire, it won’t end well for you.”


    Hugh limped away, and after a few <b>seconds</b>, his voice echoed from the distance, “Take care of yourself, Mrs. Sinir.


    Ynda stood there, letting out a soft chuckle. The moment when she started lying to Charles, she’d crossed <b>him</b>. He would never forgive anyone for betrayal.


    Since she had betrayed him once, she was facing a tough choice now: either she had to keep lying forever, or she needed to face the consequences.


    She lowered hershes, her heels clicking as she made her way forward. Once she got in her car, she headed to the hospital to check on William. He was doing much better. <fn1aab> Original content can be found at Find?Novel</fn1aab>


    Word was that Charles had been running all over the country, hunting for a kidney donor. Things were getting messy in the Sinir family after the scandal, and his two uncles were already making moves. But none of that had anything to do with Ynda.


    A weekter, Charles managed to find a kidney donor by throwing money around. After the surgery was done, he finally made it home.


    Ynda hadn’t seen Charles in a week.


    Her studio was finally finished, andn wasing back from the shooting set. She had to drive out to pick him up herself.


    She reached out to Sophie using Tessa’s number. Ever since she’d spilled the beans about Joelle, Sophie had


    7:46 Thu, Sep 11


    been constantly messaging her, desperate to know how she could make Charles hers for good.


    Thest time Charles left Sophie’s bed, he hadn’t called her once. Sophie was terrified he’d already moved on, In just over two weeks, she’d lost nearly ten pounds.


    Sophie sent: [Tessa, as long as you can help me win him over, I’ll do whatever you say.]


    Ynda was driving to the train station when she saw the message, a sly smile curling on her lips. This was exactly what she wanted–Sophie eating out of her hand.


    She replied: [Mr. Sinir is free tonight. He just got his biggest problem out of the way, so he’ll be looking to rx.


    [Head to Muse <b>Club</b><b>. </b>You might just bump into him. If you cry a little, he’ll feel bad for you ande running back.]


    Sophie’s eyes lit up at the message. [Okay.]


    After being ignored by Charles for more than two weeks, Sophie was about to lose her <b>mind</b>. She never imagined he could be this heartless.


    Ynda pulled her car into a corner spot and sentn her location. Soon enough, she spotted a figure in a ck tracksuit heading her way. He wore a hat and a mask, but his tall, lean build made him stand out in the crowd.


    The car door opened, letting in a rush of sunlight and fresh air.n slipped inside, closed the door, lowered hisshes, and greeted her sweetly, “Hey, <b>Yol- </b>Ms. <b>Grant</b><b>” </b>


    Ynda remembered howst time he’d said he <b>was </b>hungry and she’d just told him to go eat some bread. Thinking about it now, she felt a bit heartless, but she really didn’t want to get involved. “Mm.”


    She started driving toward his ce and asked, “Did Zack give you any trouble afterward?”


    <bn </b>answered in a low voice, “Nope.”


    The car went quiet for a moment. There was a stubborn streak in him, like he was quietly pushing <b>back </b>against her, an unspoken tension hanging in the air.


    When they pulled up outside the vi, Ynda hopped out first and unlocked the door with her fingerprint. “Head upstairs and freshen up. I’ll tell you about the role Ms. Sinir has for you.” She’d promised to introduce him to <b>Simone </b>once he got <b>back</b>.


    Ian picked up his ck bag and headed upstairs. Half an hourter, he came back down, his hair still damp. water dripping down.


    He looked slim at first, but when he flexed, Ynda could tell he packed a punch. Dressed in ck silk pajamas, he dropped into <b>the </b>seat across from her.


    Ynda pushed <b>the </b>audition script toward him. I pulled some strings and got you a shot at the lead<b>. </b>If yound it, you’ll be catapulted to <b>the </b>A–list. We’ll need to get you ready for the media and everything thates


    with it.”


    7:46 Thu, Sep <b>11 </b>


    She stood up. “Get up; let me size you up.”


    Ian looked a little surprised but stood up anyway. Water dripped from his hair onto his chest, leaving a spreading damp patch on his shirt.


    Ynda circled around him. “Your posture is great. No need for a movement coach.


    He was tall, and as he lowered hisshes, he caught her lips curving in satisfaction. She was clearly appreciating his physique. He quickly looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.


    Ynda stretched out his arm and gave his bicep a testing squeeze. Most guys skipped triceps at the gym, but every inch of muscle onn was just right.


    She said, “Keep up your workout routine. The camera adds bulk, so you’ll need to maintain <b>this </b>weight from


    now on,


    His gaze drifted back to her, and he found himself just watching her lips move, not catching a word she said. After about <b>ten </b>minutes of checking him over, Ynda looked up at him. “Did you get everything I said:”


    He gave a quiet “Yeah.”


    Ynda nodded, checked the time on her phone. “I set up a meeting with Ms. Sinir at the hotel for eight. You’ve got a few hours to rest,” she said as she walked out, already calling Megan.


    Megan was at the studio, doing a final walkthrough. They’d hired a ton of workers for the renovation, using only the best materials to make sure it was ready to move into right away.


    “Ynda, I checked everything. It’s perfect–just like the renderings. You shoulde see your office. It’s amazing! I might have to start calling you Ms. Grant from now on,” Megan said.


    –


    A smile flickered in Ynda’s eyes. “What about your own office? Have you seen it yet?”


    “Oh yeah, I checked it out. I’m over the moon. Ynda, things are only going to get better from here, right?” Ynda was just about to get in her car when she heard someone call out behind her, “Ms. Grant, wait up”


    “Yes?” She turned to seen following her. She covered her phone, with a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Is there something else?”


    Ian stood there in his ck silk pajamas, hair tousled, looking a bit hesitant. “This script… There are a lot of kissing scenes. And, uh, bed scenes, too.”


    ”