"I was just washing my hands," Yvonne said.

"For this long? You'd have to be a centipede to take that much time," Mrs. Moore replied, clearly skeptical.

"She's considering a role in a military film and was asking me some questions about life on the base," Bennett interjected smoothly.

The explanation was plausible enough that Mrs. Moore didn't question it further.

"You can talk about that after dinner. Let's go back, the food's getting cold."

With that, Mrs. Moore turned and walked away.

Bennett and Yvonne exchanged a look, both visibly relieved.

"This feels like we're having an affair. How long are you planning to keep this a secret?" Bennett asked with a sigh of resignation.

"Do you think they could accept it?" Yvonne leaned against the railing by the hallway window.

Bruce and Monica didn't know she was the real Yvonne; they still thought of her as the young girl their daughter had saved.

What would they think if they knew she was with Bennett? Would they assume she had deliberately gotten close to them, using them to snag a wealthy catch like him?

"My parents already know I broke up with Yolanda because of you. It's only a matter of time before they find out. We can't hide our relationship forever," Bennett said.

Yvonne nodded and sighed. "Let's just take it one step at a time."

Sensing her low spirits, Bennett reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Alright, don't overthink it. I'll handle everything."

Yvonne and Bennett returned to the dining room one after the other, resuming their charade of being mere acquaintances.

The dinner lasted until well past nine o'clock.

Bruce, Mr. Moore, and Bennett all had some drinks, but no one got drunk this time.

Yvonne helped Mrs. Moore and Monica clear the dishes in the kitchen. Afterward, Mr. and Mrs. Moore prepared to leave.

Bennett and Yvonne left at the same time.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore had a car coming for them, so they weren't going the same way.

Yvonne's private car had already left, so she had to catch a ride with Bennett.

However, since Bennett had been drinking, Yvonne drove while he sat in the passenger seat.

"Back to Cherry Bay?" Yvonne asked.

"Yeah," Bennett nodded. "It's the

holiday, so I gave Helen the day of Bullet is home alone. Let's go

and keep him company ack

.net

Yvonne didn't object and started the car.

The car moved smoothly along the flat road. Traffic was light at night, and the glow of the streetlights

flickered through the windows,

casting shifting patterns

fight and

shadow.

Bennett leaned back in the passenger seat, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, giving him a slightly lazy air.

He turned his head slightly, his deep eyes half-closed as he watched Yvonne.

The occasional passing light seemed to cast a halo around her, making her feel almost unreal.

It was as if this moment was nothing more than an ephemeral dream, and when he woke up, he would have lost her all over again.

"Vonnie," Bennett murmured, his lips barely moving.

"Hmm?" Yvonne responded. She

kept her hands on the wheel,

glanced at the road ahe net

road ahead and then

turned to look at hing with a

questioning gaze. fo FindNovel.net

"It's nothing," Bennett said with a low chuckle.

Yvonne gave him a slightly exasperated look before turning her attention back to the road.

Just then, the phone in her purse, which was on the back seat, started to ring.

Since she was driving, it was inconvenient for her to get it, so she asked Bennett to help.

With his long arms, Bennett easily reached back, grabbed the purse, and retrieved the phone, handing it to her.