Just then, Claire Lawrence came down from upstairs, her head hanging and her steps heavy.

Yvonne Sutton hurried over to her. Instead of asking what had happened, she pulled her outside first.

Only after they were seated in a coffee shop and Claire Lawrence had calmed down did Yvonne ask her about it.

"Director Sherman said he’s never seen an actor so bent on ruining their own career." As she said this, Claire Lawrence’s voice choked with emotion.

"And then?"

"I kept begging him, and he probably took pity on me, so he agreed to let that newcomer from Stratos audition. This is the most I can do. If Stratos still won’t let me off the hook, there’s nothing more I can do."

Yvonne Sutton took Claire Lawrence’s hand and squeezed it firmly. "It’s okay. Take your time."

Back at the villa, wardrobes were being installed, and furniture was about to be delivered. The place was a dusty, chaotic mess. Besides, she had a trip to take with Vincent Reed and the others.

After thinking it over, Yvonne Sutton called Leo Flynn and asked him to help rent an apartment for Claire Lawrence and to look after her for the next couple of days.

Leo Flynn owned multiple properties, so he just gave Claire Lawrence an address and told her to go stay there for as long as she wanted.

Claire Lawrence hugged Yvonne Sutton. "Yvonne, thank you."

"Don’t mention it. You’re my best friend."

In the afternoon, Yvonne Sutton set off in the same car as Vincent Reed and the others.

When she got in the car, Wendy Winters was leaning against Vincent Reed, tilting her head up to kiss his chin. Vincent had his arm around her and was carefully draping a jacket over her.

Yvonne Sutton sat directly across from them, her eyes wide as she watched their lovey-dovey display.

’Weren’t they the ones who insisted on bringing me? Well then, I’m going to be the best third wheel I can be.’ Sure enough, under her intense gaze, the two of them, no matter how thick-skinned, couldn’t keep up their lovey-dovey act.

"Yvonne, the place we’re going is an island," Wendy Winters said, sitting up straight with a smile.

Yvonne Sutton nodded. "Sounds great. I’ve never been to one before."

"There are lots of fun places on the island. You should look around when we get there."

"Sure."

Wendy Winters felt a pang of displeasure seeing how poised and unbothered Yvonne was.

After a drive of over two hours, they arrived at a pier and then took a half-hour boat ride to finally reach the island.

Yvonne Sutton was a bit seasick. After getting ashore, she leaned against a tree, nearly throwing up.

"Are you okay?" Vincent Reed came over and asked.

Yvonne Sutton ignored him and walked on, carrying her luggage bag.

The island wasn’t large. From here, only a single white house was visible, reachable by following the path ahead.

Yvonne Sutton reached the seaside villa a step ahead of Vincent Reed and the others, only to be greeted, unexpectedly, by Monica Lynch.

She smiled at her. "Yvonne, welcome to my birthday party."

Yvonne Sutton’s brow furrowed for a moment, but it didn’t really matter to her. "My head is spinning right now. I’d like to rest for a bit."

"Uh, the rooms inside the villa are all taken. You can stay over there with the servants."

The place Monica Lynch pointed to was a row of thatched bungalows outside the villa, specifically for the servants.

Monica Lynch probably thought this would humiliate her, but in Yvonne Sutton’s eyes, it was just a place to stay. Sharing a room with the servants was no big deal.

A maid named Chloe led her to her room to rest, enthusiastically telling her about the fun places on the island as they walked.

"Is this the only house on the island?" Yvonne Sutton asked.

"That’s right. This is a private resort island. For now, this is the only building, and it’s not open to the public. We don’t know if they’ll develop it further in the future."

The room had two beds. Chloe would sleep in one, and she would take the other.

She was feeling extremely dizzy, so she took a pill and went to sleep. By the time she woke up, it was already dark outside.

She came out of her room and saw a party in full swing at the villa. The music was deafening. Men in suits and women in gowns were dancing to the joyful music.

These were all so-called socialites. She saw Vincent Reed with his arm around Wendy Winters, the two of them also dancing on the dance floor, looking like the center of the universe.

There was a small path nearby that she guessed would lead to the beach.

Yvonne Sutton went back to her room to put on a jacket and a scarf, then followed the stone-paved path down. She hadn’t gone far before she heard some amorous sounds, and then she saw a man and a woman entwined on a thatched scenic platform.

She quickly walked past them. Thankfully, it wasn’t much farther to the beach.

The beach was empty except for a few lonely lamps. Waves crashed against the shore with a roar that was especially powerful in the night.

Her phone buzzed. Guessing who it was, she quickly pulled it out.

Wyatt Shaw: I had meetings all day. They were very productive, and I think my colleagues seem to like me.

Yvonne Sutton smiled: That’s great. It’s important to get along well with your colleagues.

Wyatt Shaw: I even treated them to drinks tonight, but they all seemed a bit reserved.

Yvonne Sutton: You just met, after all. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Wyatt Shaw: Where are you?

Yvonne Sutton sent him a video: It’s sort of a work trip. I’m on an island right now.

After sending the video, she waited for a while but didn’t get a reply from Wyatt Shaw. She figured he must have gotten busy.

Yvonne Sutton strolled along the shoreline with her hands in her pockets. When she reached the pier, she saw a tall man getting off a speedboat—not walking off, but crawling.

"Is anyone there! Help!"

Yvonne Sutton saw him lying on the shore, clutching his left leg and writhing in pain while shouting for help, so she quickly ran over.

"What’s wrong? Is your leg hurt?"

"I was bitten by a poisonous snake! Quick, help me!"

Yvonne Sutton quickly took out her flashlight and had him hold it. She lifted his left leg and rolled up his pant leg. On his ankle were two rows of jagged teeth marks, but there was no redness, swelling, or bruising. Aside from constantly yelling for help, the man himself showed no symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.

"Did you get a good look at the snake that bit you?" she asked.

"I saw it, but I didn’t get a good look."

"How long has it been since you were bitten?"

"I was bitten on the island behind this one. I had to get down the mountain and then drive the speedboat back. It’s been over an hour, I think."

"Does the wound hurt a lot?"

"Yes! Ah, it hurts like hell!"

Yvonne Sutton had him lie down and told him he was lucky; she happened to have an antidote cream with her that would stop the pain as soon as it was applied. As she spoke, she dipped her fingers into a small puddle and dabbed the spot where he was bitten a couple of times.

"There, it’s on. Does it still hurt?"

"I think... I think it doesn’t hurt anymore."

Yvonne Sutton dusted off her hands. "Don’t worry, what bit you wasn’t a poisonous snake."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I’m a doctor. Of course I’m sure."

As she spoke, Yvonne Sutton looked up and, only then, got a clear look at the man’s face. It was a mixed-race face with blue eyes, a high-bridged nose, and skin as fair as jade.

"Uh, Mr. Rhodes?"

Silas Rhodes narrowed his eyes. "You’re only just now recognizing me?"

"Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to your face just now."

"Ha, so you’re a woman who can ignore this face of mine."

Yvonne Sutton ignored his comment completely and said, "You can get up now."

Silas Rhodes tried, but he couldn’t get up.

"My legs have gone soft. I can’t get any strength into them."

’He must be scared stiff,’ Yvonne Sutton thought. After a moment, she said, "Then wait here. I’ll go to the villa and get someone to carry you."

Silas Rhodes was probably Monica Lynch’s honored guest, but she didn’t go directly to Monica. Instead, she told Chloe and asked her to pass on the message. But as soon as Chloe heard it was Silas Rhodes, she panicked and immediately started shouting for people.

"Oh no! Everyone, quickly! The Young Master is in trouble!"

’Young Master?’

Yvonne Sutton’s thoughts raced. "So the owner of this house is...?"

"This is the Rhodes family’s place."

’So Monica Lynch just borrowed the Rhodes family’s island villa for her birthday party. From the way she was acting, I thought she was the owner.’

Chloe took some people to carry Silas Rhodes. Yvonne Sutton didn’t follow them, instead circling back to the beach from the other side to continue her walk.

Wyatt Shaw finally texted her back: You’re alone?

Yvonne Sutton: Yeah, by myself.

Wyatt Shaw: That’s no fun.

Yvonne Sutton: It’s alright.

Wyatt Shaw: Let’s play a game.

Yvonne Sutton raised an eyebrow: What kind of game?

Wyatt Shaw: A treasure hunt.