He had been like a ma back then, irresistibly drawing the eighteen-year-old her to him. Even now, at twenty-eight, looking at the neen-year-oldn, she could still feel the intense flutter of her heart from that time.


    Her phone was filled with secretly taken photos ofn, but now, each picture was just a record of her unrequited love.


    Meeting someone too dazzling when you''re young is not a blessing, but a disaster you can''t escape.


    For ten years, she had fought desperately to be worthy ofn, learning piano, navigating high society, and using every trick in the book to force her way into his life. Only she knew the hardships she had endured.


    But he had never acknowledged any of it.n was like a man without a heart. She performed tirelessly in his world, while he remained nothing more than a cold, detached spectator.


    Just then, a message from Laverne came through. "Vanessa, I just got an invitation for a pianopetition performance. This is a great opportunity for you to make a name for yourself in the country."


    "Send it to me right now," Vanessa replied immediately.


    Laverne forwarded an invitation from a television station for a performance in Kingston. Vanessa instantly felt revitalized.


    If love was a losing battle, her career would be her victory.


    At Eleanor''sb, she had just finished her work and was heading to Dr. Smith''s office.


    "Dr. Smith, I''ve decided to start developing the medication. I''ll need Vanessa toe in regrly to donate blood so we can extract thetest stem cells for backup," Eleanor proposed.


    Smith agreed with her idea. "That''s a wise decision. Building a drug reserve is much more reliable than depending on a single donor. But as for Miss Shannon-"


    "You should haven talk to her first," Eleanor said.


    Smith nodded. "Alright, I''ll arrange a meeting with Miss Shannon and Mr. Goodwin to discuss this."


    Eleanor knew she had to prepare for the future. After the terrifying experience with the ne turbulence and now with Drew''s impending release from prison, she was determined to start producing the drug in advance. That way, if anything unexpected happened to her, there would be a supply of medication ready.


    After Eleanor left, Smith dialedn''s number. "Mr. Goodwin, I''d like to ask Miss Shannon toe to theb tomorrow to discuss the matter of regr blood donations."


    "OK. I''ll make sure she''s there,"n replied.


    Vanessa was just about to close her eyes and rest when her phone rang again she nced at it irritably, but When she saw the name on the


    her heart began to race.


    -n.


    She held her breath for a few seconds before snatching the phone, taking a deep breath topose herself before answering. "Hello?n, is there something you need?"


    "Be at theb tomorrow at nine in the morning,"n''s voice was as calm and detached as ever.


    Vanessa''s heart sank. So, he was calling about that.


    "Ian, I haven''t been feeling welltely. Could you let me rest for a while?"


    "Dr. Smith will assess your physical condition. Nine o''clock tomorrow. Don''t bete,"


    Vanessa gripped her phone tighter, biting her lip. "What if—what if I refuse?"


    There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed byn''s even colder voice. "I can take back that thirteen percent stake in Yeaton Holdings at any time. Weigh your options carefully."


    Vanessa''s face paled. n, how can you be so heartless?"


    "You can choose to refuse, but you''ll have to bear the consequences,"n said tly and hung up.


    "You—" Vanessa tried to say something, but all she heard was the dial tone.


    Vanessa clenched her fists. Inn''s eyes, there were only transactions. This particr transaction was not one she could end; it had to be ended by him.


    She hated herself for being so greedy. She never should have agreed to sign that stock


    agreement. Now, it had be the very leveragen was using to threaten her She had been a fool. think she could make a deal with a top-tier businessman.