"You have to have some decency, Vanessa! Have I not done enough for you? I''ve


    spent money and energy to get you this far. Have I everined?" Laverne felt a surge of indignation. She had been hoping to benefit from Vanessa''s sess as well.


    Now, before she had gotten anything out of it, after all the money, effort, and time she had poured into this, this was the result?


    Vanessa was in no state to consider Laverne''s feelings. Lost in her own anger and despair, she continued her tirade. "Walden only has eyes for that daughter of his. All my efforts were for nothing! I put up with that disgusting old man for so long, and I got nothing!"


    As Vanessa vented outside the hotel in a foreign country, she failed to notice the ugly expression on her manager''s face, or the disappointment that slowly chilled her eyes.


    Laverne looked at the woman before her, who was so consumed by her own


    frustrations that she couldn''t see the sacrifices others had made for her. A deep chill settled in her heart.


    She had worked for Vanessa for seven years, running around for her, cashing in countless favors and spending her own savings. She had even put her own career development on hold, all in the hope that if Vanessa became Mrs. Wells, she would get a leg up.


    And now, not only did Vanessa show no gratitude, but she was shifting all the me for her failure onto Laverne.


    It wasughable.


    Finally exhausted, Vanessa said to Laverne, "I''m going up to take a bath. Order some food to my room, I''m hungry."


    After Vanessa left, Laverne stood outside the hotel for a moment. She took out her phone and booked the earliest flight back home. Then she went to her room, packed her bags, checked out, and headed to the airport.


    Vanessa emerged from her bath wrapped in a robe, expecting a delicious lunch to be waiting for her. But when she came out, there was nothing.


    Already in a foul mood, she muttered, "What''s going on? Can''t she even manage to order lunch?"


    She picked up her phone and dialed Laverne''s number, but it was turned off.


    Vanessa was stunned for a few


    seconds. She tried again, but it was


    no use. Finally, she went to


    Laverne''s room and knocked. A


    cleaning staff member pushing a


    cart came by. "Miss, the guest in this room has already checked out."


    "What did you say?" Vanessa stared at the employee in shock. The staff member then opened the door. Laverne''s luggage was gone; the room was clean.


    Vanessa finally realized the gravity of the situation. Laverne had abandoned her and returned home alone.


    She rushed back to her room and sent Laverne a message, filled with apologies and pleas for her toe back.


    But by evening, there was still no response.


    Realizing there was no hope left with Walden Wells, Vanessa knew she couldn''t waste any more time there. At eight o''clock, she also checked out and went to the airport.


    She had seen the news about her father being jailed for murder, but she felt nothing.


    If a man couldn''t do anything for her, she didn''t spare him a second thought.


    Except for one person. Ian.


    Vanessa looked at her phone


    screen. An alert showed that first


    ss was sold out, with only


    economy seats remaining. Sh


    stared at the screen with a mix of


    reluctance and pure disdain.


    She was ustomed to the spaciousfort and exclusive service of first ss. Economy felt like torture.


    But she was eager to get back. She had to rush home and convince Laverne to be her manager again. After all these years, Laverne was the person who understood her best.


    Gritting her teeth, she bought the economy ticket. Life would be much harder without Laverne taking care of everything for her.


    At that moment, Laverne was already on another ne.


    Relief loosened something in her ? chest; she''d already lined up new work with an A-list client before she ever cleared security. She could start her new job as soon as shended.