But Walden Wells had no intention of dropping his investigation into the Guild of Commerce''s foundation. He hadn''t given up on the chairman position, and he was determined to sit in that chair, even just for a little while, before he died.


    Besides, he was deeply dissatisfied with the youngern Goodwin. Losing to him in thest election had been a major blow to his pride, andn''s tant disregard for him today only added fuel to the fire. With old grudges and new grievancesbined, there was no way he would let this go.


    Others might not be able to shaken''s position, but Walden Wells wasn''t afraid to try.


    Just then, Vanessa Shannon, who was beside him, spotted Eleanor Sutton heading toward the restrooms. She turned to Walden. "Walden, I''m just going to use the restroom."


    When Eleanor came out of the stall, Vanessa was already at the sink, washing her hands. She watched Eleanor in the mirror. "Miss Sutton was quite the powerhouse today."


    All the stall doors were open; it was clear they were alone.


    Eleanor met Vanessa''s provocative gaze in the mirror, her expression unchanging. She had no desire to engage.


    Vanessa''s red lips curved into a smirk. "It reminds me of the old days, whenn used to bring me to these kinds of events. You know, he''s not nearly as serious and boring in private as he seems in public."


    She paused deliberately, her seductive eyes sweeping over Eleanor. "Especially when we were alone. He was actually very gentle and considerate with me. Thinking about it now makes me a little nostalgic."


    The implication was impossible to miss. She wanted Eleanor to know that she andn had been intimate.


    Eleanor washed her hands with a slow, deliberate rhythm before finally looking up. "Your past with him has nothing to do with me."


    Vanessa let out a softugh and raised an eyebrow. "Remember that time in the dressing room at my concert? My hair got caught on his belt. Don''t you want to know how something like that could have happened?"


    Eleanor''s hands froze for a fraction of a second. Vanessa bringing that up still stirred a painful memory. The image from that day flooded her mind against her will Vanessa dressed provocatively, her hair tangled inn''s belt buckle in an incredibly suggestive position.


    "If you hadn''te in and interrupted us-" Vanessa''s lips parted slightly, and she licked them. "Do you know what would have happened?n is a man, after all. And men like to... get creative."


    Vanessa''s gesture,bined with her look, was undeniably suggestive. That scene had been one of the final blows that had pushed Eleanor to give up on her marriage.


    Even though she now knew the truth about her transaction withn, it was hard to believe nothing had ever happened between them after all that time together.


    But Vanessa didn''t know that, for Eleanor, these old wounds had long since lost their sting.


    Eleanor finished drying her hands and turned to face Vanessa directly. "Whatever happened between you two only proves that he''s a man who can''t resist temptation, and that you''re just a pathetic woman who uses cheap tricks to get attention is catering to a man''s whims really something you''re so proud of that you have to show it off?"


    Vanessa''s face paled, her seductive smile twisting into a furious scowl. "Eleanor, don''t you dare act so high and mighty. When you were in love with him, weren''t you even crazier than me? You took care of him for one year and had the nerve to pressure him into marrying you. How is that any better?"


    Vanessa would hold a grudge for the rest of her life over Eleanor stealingn from her.


    Without Eleanor, she was certain she would have be Mrs. Goodwin.


    She med Eleanor for her current situation. If Eleanor had never shown up, she


    had plenty of tricks up her sleeve to forcen to marry her.