Chapter 417

"Oh, I'm so sorry! My hand slipped," Yvonne said, mimicking Marcia's earlier gesture by covering her mouth in mock surprise.

Marcia knew Yvonne had done it on purpose, but this was the Thompson Group's banquet. No matter how impulsive she was, she wouldn't dare cause a scene here.

Her eyes red with anger, Marcia could only cover her chest with her hands and make a hasty retreat.

After Marcia left, Teresa finally looked at Yvonne.

They had just had an unpleasant encounter, and Teresa was still annoyed with Yvonne. But since Yvonne had just defended her, she was willing to forgive her, for

now.

Teresa was about to speak, hoping to smooth things over with Yvonne, but Yvonne didn't even look at her and simply walked away.

However, Yvonne had only taken a few steps before Steven appeared and blocked

her path.

"Ms. Jones." Steven was also dressed in a suit and tie, his attitude toward Yvonne polite and proper.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Hughes?" Yvonne asked coolly, raising an eyebrow.

"Would I have the honor of this dance, Ms. Jones?" Steven asked, offering his hand and bowing slightly in a very gentlemanly posture.

Eyes were already turning their way. If Yvonne were to refuse and walk away now, it would be a huge public humiliation for Steven.

Yvonne wasn't afraid of trouble, but there was no need to offend the Hughes family over something so trivial.

Yvonne lightly placed her hand in Steven's and followed him onto the dance floor. Steven used the dance as an opportunity to make conversation with Yvonne.

It's easy to tell when a man is interested in a woman. And Steven was now clearly interested in Yvonne.

Yvonne truly couldn't understand his logic. Did the great young master of the Hughes family enjoy being insulted?!

What a peculiar hobby.

Bennett was patiently helping Emma greet guests when he looked up and saw Yvonne dancing with Steven Hughes.

Bennett had heard the rumors about the proposed alliance between the James and Hughes families, and how Stever had rejected all the other younger members of the James family in favor of Yvonne.

And this heartless little thing not only wasn't avoiding him, but she hadn't even given him a single glance all evening.

Bennett felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest, but he couldn't bring himself to be angry with her. He could only let his gaze drift toward her from time to time.

Yolanda and the Walkers had left for a while but later returned to Emma's side.

"Mrs. Thompson, red wine can be quite strong. I brought you some champagne. You're the star of tonights banquet, after, all Yolanda handed a glass of champagne to Emma.

"Girls are so much more thoughtful than those pesky boys," Emma said with a laugh, accepting the glass.

Seeing this, those nearby immediately began to flatter them.

"With a mom as wonderful as you, Mrs. Thompson, any daughter-in-law would be lucky."

"That's right! Mrs. Thompson personally commissioned Ms. Walker's couture gown. I heard it cost over thirty million."

"It seems a wedding is on the horizon for the two families."

"Mr. Thompson, when can we expect our wedding invitation?"

someone asked, looking at Bennett with a teasing smile.

Emma just kept smiling, not refuting anyone's comments, which was a clear sign of silent agreement.

Yolanda looked shyly toward Bennett, a demure blush on her face.

Bennett's expression, however, turned icy.

He wasn't oblivious to the Walkers' and Yolanda's scheme. They were clearly using Emma as a pawn, seizing every opportunity to solidify the connection between the tw Families

But Bennett had never been one to be manipulated.