He wanted her to be happy, yet he was jealous of the man who could give her that happiness.


    But no matter what, he would protect her in his own way until Mansfield returned safely.


    In a romantic rooftop cafe, Vanessa was waiting for someone. Soon, Walden Wells walked in through the entrance. Therge cafe was quiet and empty, as it had been booked for a private event.


    And Vanessa was Walden Wells''s only guest today.


    The pleasure of being powerful with wealth was back in Vanessa''s hands, and oh, how she adored it.


    "Mr. Wells, you''re here," Vanessa said, standing up to greet him.


    As Walden Wells approached, Vanessa reached out and gently straightened his tie with a practiced, natural ease.


    Walden Wells was taken aback for a moment, then clearly enjoyed her attention.


    As soon as he sat down, he asked directly, "Miss Shannon, I hear your rtionship withn is quite special?"


    Vanessa''s hand, holding a champagne flute, paused slightly. She had obviouslye prepared. She forced a bitter smile. "Mr. Wells, you''re very well-informed. But my rtionship withn isn''t what the rumors say. It''s nothing more than a transactional rtionship."


    "Oh? What kind of transaction?" Walden Wells raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.


    "I regrly provide his mother with blood of a rare type, and hepensates me ordingly," Vanessa said nonchntly, conveniently omitting the fact that she''d been using her blood donations to ckmailn for years.


    Walden Wells was clearly surprised. "Is that all?"


    "The media did write a lot about our rtionship, Vanessa said with a perfectly timed note of grievance. "But our rtionship is just that simple. My suffering isn''t over, though. I still have to continue giving his mother blood transfusions


    ording to the agreement."


    Walden Wells''s eyes narrowed. "What would happen if his mother didn''t have your blood?"


    "His mother has a rare blood


    disorder, and I''m the only person in the world who can provide the blood to save her. I''ve been saving her for ten years now. If I don''t give blood ording to the contract, I have to pay damages," Vanessa sighed.


    Walden Wells looked at her thoughtfully, then suddenly smiled. "Miss Shannon, what


    if I told you I could help you get out of this deal?"


    Vanessa''s eyes lit up instantly, but then dimmed just as quickly. "Ian won''t let me go that easily. But thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Wells."


    "As powerful asn is, he''s nothing in my eyes," Walden Wells snorted dismissively. "When I was wing my way up in the business world, he hadn''t even been born! You think I''m afraid of him?"


    Vanessa bit her red lip, her expression clearly showing she still didn''t believe him.


    At that moment, Walden Wells stood up, moved from his seat to stand in front of Vanessa, and suddenly lifted her chin with his hand, his gaze burning. "However, I have conditions for helping you. It''s up to you whether you agree or not."


    "What conditions?" Vanessa asked, her heart pounding.


    "Be my woman," Walden Wells said bluntly. "As long as you''re with me, I guaranteen will never dare to bother you again."


    Vanessa was almost ecstatic, but her face showed only a shy hesitation.


    This was exactly what she wanted to use Walden Wells to escapen''s control.


    "Mr. Wells, this—this is so sudden," Vanessa said, ying hard to get.


    "I don''t like to beat around the bush." Walden Wells released her chin and returned to his seat, his tonemanding. "Give me an answer before seven clock tonight If you agree, you''ll be my woman, Walden


    Wells''s woman. I''ll handle jan."