Without showing any emotion, Bradley glanced at Bettie.

The two were so close that he could discern the fine details of her lashes.

Her skin appeared perfect even under the makeup. Upon closer inspection, there wasn't a hint of flaking, setting her apart from many actresses in the entertainment industry.

Bradley had noticed on TV how some celebrities sported thick makeup, their skin appearing dull and tinged yellow. Such imperfections often necessitate heavy post-production enhancement. The final images, drastically retouched, were sometimes unrecognizable even to their own families. Unedited photographs were typically off-limits.

Bettie's eyes were bright and fixed on his eyebrows without moving. She seemed serious, quite different from her usual playful self.