The thought of Eleanor possibly reading the news about her, a smug look on her face, reignited Vanessa''s defiant spirit.


    She fiercely wiped away her tears and rushed to the mirror on the first floor. She looked at her reflection—a bit haggard, but still beautiful. She still had assets: her face and her body.


    An idea finally formed in her mind. She recalled a time she appeared on a television program in Kingston. A real estate developer had someone pass her his business card, asking her out to dinner. She had politely declined at the time, but she could tell the tycoon was very interested in her. He was in his early fifties, but she was no longer in a position to be picky. She urgently needed someone to handle the online mess, and for men like him, such things were as simple as lifting a finger.


    Pulling herself out of her chaotic thoughts, Vanessa picked up her phone and started searching for the number she had saved. The man''s face came to mind: a slightly overweight, middle-aged man with a shrewd yet greedy glint in his eyes. The way he had looked at her backstage was filled with undisguised desire.


    Finally, she found it. The contact was saved as Harvey MacLeod, President of Harvest Properties in Kingston.


    That was him. Vanessa took a deep breath,posed her expression, and dialed the number.


    After about seven or eight seconds, a man''s questioning voice answered, "Hello? Who is this?"


    "Mr. MacLeod, hello. I apologize for the intrusion. This is Vanessa. Do you remember me?" Vanessa did her best to make her voice sound sweet and alluring.


    "Vanessa?" Harvey MacLeod''s voice paused for a moment before taking on a knowing, yful tone. "Oh! The great pianist, Ms. Shannon! I remember now. What made you think of calling me? Don''t tell me you''ve run into some trouble!"


    Vanessa''s heart sank. So rich men weren''t stupid after all; he saw right through her.


    "Mr. MacLeod, everyone runs into difficulties from time to time. Unfortunately, I''m facing some now. I had a falling out with my manager, and she''sunched a


    malicious meal


    campaign against me online," Vanessa said, her voice filled with grievance and helplessness. "I know you''re well-connected and capable, Mr. MacLeod. I was wondering if you could... help me?"


    There was a few seconds of silence on the other end. Harvey was clearly weighing whether she was worth helping now With his wealth, he could have any beautiful woman he wanted. His interest in her might have just been fleeting.


    Vanessa knew how these wealthy men operated their patience was thin, and their interest in a woman could burn out in minutes.


    After a moment, a condescending voice came through the phone. "Help you? It''s not impossible. This online stuff... it''s not hard to suppress with a little money."


    Vanessa''s heart leaped with joy. She knew she wasn''t a woman men forgot easily. The thought gave her a surge of confidence.


    She feigned delight. "Really? Mr. MacLeod, if you can help me sort out this online mess, I would be so grateful."


    "Don''t be so quick to thank me," Harvey interrupted, his tone bing suggestive and direct. "I''m not one to discuss business over the phone How about his youe to Kingston now, and we calf talk in person?"


    Vanessa''s fingers tightened around her phone. Of course, she understood exactly


    what he meant. A part of her wanted to hang up immediately.