Pinned byn''s icy gaze, Vanessa''s heart sank. She realized she might have gone too far.


    Even Laverne, standing beside her, held her breath in fear, agreeing that Vanessa shouldn''t have provokedn at a time like this.


    With that,n stood up, his eyes fixed on Vanessa. His tone was unquestionable. "Miss Shannon, let''s have a word outside."


    It wasn''t a suggestion; it was amand.


    Vanessa''s face paled. Looking inton''s eyes, she knew he was genuinely furious. She forced a smile. "Ian, I won''t disturb your-"


    Butn was already heading for the door. Vanessa was left flustered, exchanging a look with Laverne. Just then, she saw Eleanor watching her, and a stubborn refusal to look weak in front of her rival took hold.


    "Laverne, I''ll be right back," Vanessa said, then followedn out, feigning


    Laverne''s heart pounded, and she couldn''t help but follow them.


    In a secluded corner outside the restaurant,n stood, his tall figure radiating a terrifying chill. Vanessa bit her red lip and approached him from behind. "Ian, what did you want to talk to me about?"


    "Remember your ce,"n stared at her. "If you ever dare to show up in front of Eleanor and Evelyn again, saying things you shouldn''t say or doing things you shouldn''t do, I will make you pay back every single thing you''ve ever gotten from me."


    Vanessa''s heart clenched. She tried to exin, n, I was just joking—"


    "I''m not joking with you," Ian cut her off coldly. "If there''s a next time, I guarantee there will be no ce left for you in this country, or anywhere else in the world."


    The words struck her like a sledgehammer. She knewn was a man of his word. He had the power to ruin her reputation and leave her with nothing.


    A wave of fear washed over her, snapping her back to reality. She had crossed his line.


    "I—I understand," Vanessa said, lowering her gaze, offering a sincere apology. "I''m sorry,n. It won''t happen again."


    "Call me Mr. Goodwin,"n corrected her icily. "You don''t have the right to use my first name."


    Vanessa''s head shot up, the reality of her position in his eyes hitting her with full force-she was no longer even qualified to call him by his name.


    The color drained from her face. She


    bit her lip so hard it trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she


    didn''t dare make a soun


    say his mame again


    With that, he turned and walked back toward the restaurant.


    Vanessa stood frozen, pressing a trembling hand to her lips to choke back a sob.


    Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.


    She was drowning in a sea of


    humiliation. Even though she knew she had acted like a fool, his cold,


    merciless treatm revoking


    even


    the right to say his name was too much.


    She finally felt a sense of hopeless despair.


    Laverne watched from a distance, her heart aching for Vanessa, but feeling helpless. She could only Whisper, Vanessa, let''s go. Dent just stand here. We can find another restaurant-"


    Vanessa violently wiped the tears from her face. Without another nce at the restaurant, she turned and strode away on her high heels.


    But while the tears could be wiped away, the hatred in her heart coiled around her like a venomous vine.


    Behind her, Laverne''s brow furrowed. She couldn''t for the life of her understand why Vanessa was still so hell-bent on poking the bear with Eleanor andn.