Vanessa looked at herself in the mirror. All dressed up, she was indeed as elegant as a goddess. But no matter how beautiful this outer shell was, in the eyes of the wealthy, she was nothing more than a ything that could be priced and traded.


    Yet she knew very well that without Harvey, she probably couldn''t even maintain this superficially morous life.


    She also knew Harvey''s personality. She couldn''t escape until he grew tired of her.


    At six, Harvey''s driver was waiting at the door. Vanessa got into the car, praying that tonight''s g was just a private gathering for Harvey''s circle and that she wouldn''t run into anyone she shouldn''t.


    Harvey''s private circle was mostly a group of hedonistic rich kids. Men at the very top of the food chain, liken, Henry Holt, and Xavier, wouldn''t deign to associate with them.


    Finally, Harvey''s driver pulled up in front of a high-end hotel. As Vanessa stepped out of the car, she looked up at the grand scale of the event, and a sense of unease and apprehension washed over her.


    She had just taken a few steps, holding the hem of her evening gown, when a silver Rolls-Royce suddenly pulled up, stopping at the main entrance.


    The car blocked her path. As she was silentlyining, the driver''s side door opened, and she saw Gavin.


    Startled, she quickly ducked behind arge column. She instinctively nced to the side and saw Gavin walk around to the rear passenger door to open it for someone.


    The person who stepped out made her freeze on the spot, as if she''d been struck by lightning.


    Eleanor emerged from the car in a minimalist, smoke-gray satin gown. Under the lights, with her long hair swept up, her waist was slender and her skin pale and luminous, glowing with the soft luster of a pearl.


    Then, from the other side of the car, stepped out none other thann.


    He, in a pure ck custom-tailored suit, gracefully moved to Eleanor''s side, murmuring something to her.


    His eyes held the same gentle, focused look he once had for Eleanor, filled with undisguised admiration.


    It was a look Vanessa had dreamed of countless times but had never received in reality.


    Looking at Eleanor''s expression, it was no longer cold and distant. She appeared natural, at ease, andpletelyposed.


    The sight felt like barbed wire tightening around Vanessa''s heart, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe.


    How could Eleanor andn be here together? Was Eleanorn''s date for the g?


    A thought she couldn''t ept shot through her mind had they truly gotten back together?


    Even thoughn had been relentlessly pursuing Eleanor, how could she possibly forgive him? Wasnt she so proud? How could


    she go back to him?


    Just then, as Eleanor andn''s figures headed toward the elevators, Vanessa''s phone rang. She nced at the screen and saw it was harvey She bit her lower lip hard.


    So Eleanor andn were both here tonight. This was definitely a high-profile g.


    She closed her eyes.


    "Mr. MacLeod, I''m not feeling well tonight. Could I possibly—"


    Before Vanessa could finish, a hand pped her on the shoulder. She spun around in shock to see Harvey standing right behind her what?? you mean you''re not feeling well? You look great," he said, slinging an arm around her. "Come on, let''s go inside."


    "Mr. MacLeod, I really am—"


    Harvey grabbed her wrist forcefully. "Don''t y games with me. You''re going up tonight, whether you want to or not."


    Vanessa was rendered speechless. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Of course. For you, Mr. MacLeod, I can ovee any difficulty."