Vanessa clenched her phone, knowing full well this was just Gavin''s excuse. Ian simply didn''t want to talk to her.
"Gavin, it''s about the partnership between Yeaton Holdings and InnoMind. I''d like to askn-"
"Miss Shannon," Gavin cut her off abruptly, his tone even. "Regarding business partnerships, please contact the relevant department directly. Mr. Goodwin doesn''t handle such matters. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be hanging up now."
"Wait, Gavin—" Vanessa cried out in desperation. "Can''t you just put me through? Or at least tell me where he is so I can go find him myself."
"I''m sorry, Miss Shannon, Mr. Goodwin''s schedule is confidential. Goodbye." Gavin hung up crisply.
Vanessa sat frozen, the dial tone buzzing in her ear like a jeer. A wave of humiliation and helplessness washed over her. When had she ever been treated so coldly? Even Gavin was acting this way now?
Vanessa bit her lip, her shoulders trembling slightly, her eyes filled with
resentment. n, are you really going to do this to me? Are you really going to be so ruthless?"
She thought of Henry. He would surely have some advice for her. In the past, whenever she felt helpless, Henry was always the first one to rush to her side, tofort and cherish her.
Vanessa picked up her phone again and dialed Henry''s assistant.
"Hello, Miss Shannon. How may I help you?"
Vanessa forced a smile. "I''m looking for your boss. Is he in the office?"
"I''m sorry, Miss Shannon. Mr. Holt is out of the country at the moment."
"Out of the country? Where did he go?" Vanessa pressed.
"Um... I''m not sure about Mr. Holt''s travel ns. If there''s nothing else, I have to go now."
The assistant on the other end hung up abruptly.
Vanessa gripped her phone, her fingertips cold. Was even Henry''s assistant avoiding her now?
A sense of being isted and abandoned washed over her.
What had made Henry disappear from her life?
Vanessa bit her lip. Recalling Henry''s kindness and adoration for her, she couldn''t believe he would be so heartless as to avoid her.
She suddenly remembered she had the number of one of Henry''s female assistants. She found it and dialed.
"Hello, Miss Shannon!" The female assistant''s voice on the other end was warm and friendly.
Vanessa immediately asked with a smile, "Lana, is Mr. Holt in the office?"
"Yes, he is! Are youing to see him, Miss Shannon?"
"Yes, but don''t tell him. I''ll be there shortly," Vanessa said.
"Okay, I''ll get back to work then." The assistant hung up with a smile.
Vanessa took a deep breath. So
Henry was at the office. Why was he
avoiding her? Whatever the reason,
was going to go over there right now and find out
At The Holt Group, Henry nced at his watch, feeling like time was dragging. He had dinner ns with Selma Quigley, but it was only three-thirty and he was only halfway through his work.
He sent a text to Selma Quigley: "Every second I''m not with you is torture. What should I do about it?"
"How about Ie keep youpany at your office? I''m nearby."
Henry sat up straight, pleasantly surprised. "Really?"
"Really."
"Okay, I''ll be waiting," Henry quickly texted back, delighted that Selma was close
by.
"I''m just grabbing something, and then I''ll head over."
Henry immediately refocused, determined to finish his work quickly so he could spend time with Selma.
Twenty minutester.
At the entrance of The Holt Group''s
lobby, Selma Quigley''s car was parked in a VIP spot. At the same time, a luxury van pulled up to the entrance. The door opened, and Vanessa stepped out. She had already done her makeup in the car and was meticulously dressed in a form-fitting dress that entuated her curves, exuding her usual elegance.
Just then, she saw a familiar figure walking ahead of her. She looked closer and
realized it was Selma Quigley.
What was she doing here?
"Miss Quigley, what a coincidence! Are you here to see Henry too?" Vanessa hurried to catch up with her.
Selma Quigley turned, bag in hand, and paused when she saw Vanessa. "Are you also looking for Henry, Miss Shannon?"