Just then, a hand snaked around her waist. Walden Wells asked, a hint of jealousy in his voice, "What are you looking at? Still thinking about your old me?"


    Vanessa immediately put on a seductive smile. "You must be joking, Mr. Wells. I was just admiring tonight''s guests."


    Walden Wells pulled her closer by the waist. "Let''s go. I''m heading to the next event. A few friends are having a private gathering. I''ll take you to broaden your horizons."


    Vanessa nodded obediently. As Walden Wells turned to say goodbye to a friend, she cast onest look inn''s direction.


    He was back in the center of the crowd, surrounded by the most elite guests of the evening. The strict hierarchy of the world of fame and fortune was on full disy here, as it always was.


    A man like him seemed to belong to no one. And she... she really needed to kill any hope she had left.


    In the elevator, Walden Wells, finding Vanessa particrly beautiful tonight, couldn''t help but get handsy, his hands roaming her waist. Vanessa had to suppress her feelings, lowering her eyes and submitting with a coy smile.


    Just then, the elevator reached the ground floor lobby and the doors chimed open.


    Outside the elevator, an elegant figure in a deep blue suit stood waiting, one hand casually in his pocket. He also witnessed the scene inside.


    Vanessa''s blood ran cold. As Walden Wells leaned in to kiss her, she frantically lowered her head and whispered coyly, "Mr. Wells, there are people here."


    Henry had skipped the banquet tonight to have dinner with his fiancée''s family. But since he was nearby, he decided to drop in and congratte his good friend.


    He never expected to see a scene like this in the elevator.


    Henry''s gaze swept between Vanessa and Walden Wells. His usually charming eyes shed with icy contempt, and his lips curved into a sarcastic smile. "Having fun, are we, Mr. Wells?"


    Vanessa kept her gaze lowered, her grip on her purse white-knuckled.


    Walden Wells was clearly displeased, but, acknowledging the Holt family''s influence, he managed a tight, unconvincing smile. "Mr. Holt, you''re here too." Henry stepped into the elevator as Walden Wells, with his arm around Vanessa, stepped out. Vanessa felt the gaze on her back like sharp thorns, making her so flustered she wished the ground would swallow her whole.


    Those eyes that used to be full of her were now filled with nothing but scorn and mockery.


    The feeling was like several harsh ps to her face.


    Walden Wells seemed to notice something. He turned to Vanessa and asked, "Are you also familiar with this Holt family kid?"


    Vanessa forced a smile. "We''re just casual friends."


    "It had better be just that," Walden Wells said, grabbing her chin. "You''re my woman now. Don''t let me see you flirting with other men and embarrassing me."


    "Of course not. I''m all yours now," Vanessa said with a smile, leaning against his arm. But inside, she felt a chilling coldness, regretting that she had never said yes to Henry.


    As Henry stepped out of the elevator, the image of Vanessa in Walden Wells''s arms was still fresh in his mind.


    Now that he had seen her true colors, he wasn''t surprised anymore.


    He had heard from industry insiders, however, that Walden Wells was bitter about being pushed out of the presidency of the Guild of


    Commerce. Bytching onto him now, was Vanessa trying to get revenge on his good friend tan? Cóntent


    Henryposed himself and walked into the ballroom, heading straight forn.


    n."


    "I was just nearby, so I thought I''d drop by," Henry said. After a moment''s thought,


    he added, "Guess who I just saw?"


    "Vanessa and Walden Wells," Henry sneered. "It was quite an eye-opener."


    "It''s all in the past,"n said, patting his shoulder. "Let me introduce you to some of the guests."


    Clearly, he didn''t want to waste time discussing such matters.


    Goodwin Manor.


    Eleanor parked her car in the courtyard and walked into the


    brightle


    living room. Serena, who was ying with Evelyn, looked up and smiled. "Ellie, you''re here."


    Gina also stood up from the sofa excitedly. "Eleanor, you''re here."


    "I''m here to pick up Evelyn," Eleanor said with a nod.


    Gina''s nose suddenly tingled with the urge to cry. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she knew it was pointless now.


    She had done so many foolish things, ruining her son and daughter-inw''s rtionship and causing her granddaughter to lose aplete family.


    "Mommy, where''s Daddy?" Evelyn asked curiously.


    "He''s still busy. He might be homete," Eleanor replied.


    Evelyn brought over a drawing. "Mommy, look, isn''t my drawing pretty?"