He looked down at her, his gaze sharp enough to see through anything. "Do you think I''m still the same fool you could deceive with a few tears? Your tears now aren''t for regret, but for the fear of losing your backup n-of losing the resources and material wealth I can provide you."


    Vanessa''s tears still clung to hershes, but a sh of panic at being seen through flickered across her face.


    "Henry, how can you-" Vanessa looked at him with anger and resentment.


    But Henry cut her off. "Stop acting. You chose this path, so you walk it alone. As for the time and money I spent on you, I''ll write it off as a loss. So, please, stay out of my life and don''t disgust me ever again."


    Henry''s words were spoken calmly, but each one was like a knife stabbing at Vanessa''s heart, making her understand with brutal rity that all her pretenses and maniptions were useless against a Henry who now saw the truth.


    And Henry''s calm request for her to get out of his world was more hurtful than any angry outburst.


    She sat slumped on the floor, her face ashen, feeling utterly powerless and humiliated.


    Henry pressed the inte and said, "Send two security guards up. Please escort Miss Shannon out. And from now on, she is not to set foot in thispany without my permission."


    Mustering herst shred of dignity, Vanessa scrambled up from the floor. She picked up her bag, straightened her back, and red at Henry. "You don''t need security. I can walk out on my own. Henry, I never thought you could be so cruel." Naturally, Vanessa was resentful. She had invested a great deal of effort in Henry over the past seven years and couldn''t ept such an oue.


    Henry watched her coldly. "You should have expected this."


    As Vanessa stumbled toward the door, she saw Selma Quigley standing just outside the partially open door. Vanessa''s face instantly flushed with shame.


    Selma looked at her. She had heard everything. An assistant hade to get her, saying Henry was shouting at someone in his office and they were worried something might happen.


    Selma hadn''t expected to witness the final, explosive end of Vanessa and Henry''s rtionship. Her expression was calm, showing no mockery despite Vanessa''s recent humiliation. She simply looked at her.


    At that moment, thest person


    Vanessa wanted to see was Selma Quigley. Knowing that Selma had heard her being so thoroughly degraded, a surge of resentment rose within her Miss Quigley, you Miss Quigley, you heard all that, didn''t you? I''m sure


    you have a clear idea of what kind of person he is now."


    Selma was surprised that even at this final moment, Vanessa was still trying to maliciously nder Henry''s finally, turned cold. "Miss Shannon, you shouldn''t repay kindness with such matice."


    character Selma''s expression triality


    "Repay kindness with malice?" Vanessa sneered, gritting her teeth. "Miss Quigley,


    the way he treated me today is how he''ll treat you tomorrow. He''s nothing but a hypocrite who chases after novelty."


    Vanessa''s words were venomous, intended to nt a thorn of doubt in Selma''s heart.


    But after hearing her out, Selma


    wasn''t angry at all. Instead, her gaze was clear and firm as she looked directly at Vanessa. "Miss Shannon. stop trying to discord. Perhaps you should reflect on your own actions and ask yourself why you weren''t cherished, but abandoned."


    "You-"The words were like a silent p across Vanessa''s face.


    "As for whether Henry will treat me that way, you don''t need to worry. We will manage our own rtionship."


    Just then, the door opened fully. Henry stood there, his face dark, his eyes fixed on Vanessa with fury. Clearly, he had seen this final, venomous disy.


    Vanessa''s face paled in panic.


    Henry stood beside Selma and took her hand. "Do you see, Vanessa? Selma is the one who truly deserves to be cherished. You''re not worthy of beingpared to her. Now get out. Don''t humiliate yourself further."