Eleanor''s voice echoed in her mind: Ian had used the things he had in abundance to trade for the beautiful youth and health she could never get back. What was there to be proud of?
Vanessa''s expression of admiration instantly twisted into one of resentment and bitterness.
She looked at the six dazzling sets of jewelry before her, but they felt cold and piercing.
These jewels couldn''t be called gifts at all. They were more like feesn had paid her.
They were props for her performance in front of Eleanor over the years, badges of her vanity.
Just then, there was a knock on her door. Vanessa nced at the time. Who would be visiting her sote?
When Vanessa went to the video inte in the living room and saw who was outside, she froze for a few seconds. Why was her father here?
"Vanessa, I know you''re in there. Open the door," Rnd''s angry voice came through the speaker.
Vanessa spun around and ran upstairs.
She quickly scooped up all the jewelry boxes from the table, carried them to her room, and stuffed them into the closet. After straightening her clothes, she headed downstairs to answer the door.
When the door opened, she saw Faye standing behind Rnd. Her expression immediately soured. "Dad, what are you two doing here thiste at night?"
Rnd''s face was dark. "Let''s go inside. I have something to ask you."
Vanessa crossed her arms, shot Faye an impatient look, and followed her father into the living room. She got two sses of water from the dispenser, but Rnd first lit a cigarette. After a few puffs, he looked up at his eldest daughter with grim eyes.
Vanessa felt a jolt of rm under his stare. "Dad, can''t this wait until tomorrow? Why did you have toe over sote?"
"Tomorrow? If we wait until tomorrow, the Yeatons will be sleeping on the streets!" Rnd fought to control his anger, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Vanessa. "Vanessa, I''m asking you, what is your rtionship withn? How did you two meet? And why did he help ourpany go public before?"
Vanessa''s heart clenched. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly hid it, turning her face away. "I told you, I was just responsible for providing stem cells for his mother. It was a simple transaction, nothing more."
Faye''s eyes widened in shock. This was the first time she had heard about Vanessa''s rtionship withn. Just a transaction?
"That''s it?" Rnd''s voice rose sharply. "You''re telling me a simple ''transaction'' made you a concert pianist? Put you in a vi like this? Paid for your mother''s gambling? And just happened to get Yeaton Holdings listed? Vanessa, do I look like I''m three years old to you?"
Faye sneered from the side. "Sister, now that the Yeatons are going bankrupt, you''re just trying to cut ties, aren''t you? If you hadn''t provokedn, we wouldn''t be in this mess!"
On the way over, Rnd had told her thatn was the one behind it all, something Faye still found hard to believe.
"Vanessa, tell me the truth. How did you offendn? Maybe there''s still a chance to fix this," Rnd said, softening his usatory tone.
"Fix this? How?" Vanessa sneered, as if years of pent-up resentment and bitterness had finally found an outlet.
"Yes, I relied onn to get where I am
today. But paid for it with my own blood!" she shouted, pointing a finger at Rnd. "And you? My father?Where were you when you threw me and my mother out like trash in some foreign slum You You were busy enjoying father-daughter time with your precious little girl!"
Her shouting stunned Rnd, and his face grew even darker.
Vanessaughed coldly. "And me? To climb out of that hellhole, I had to scheme and w my way up to a powerful man liken. I used my blood my health, to force him fo lift me to where I am today." She gasped for breath and continued her coldugh. "I was the one who beggedn to help yourpany go public. I was trying to give you a hand, but not only are you not grateful, now that thepany is failing, you''re ming it all on me? On what grounds?"