"Mr. MacLeod, don''t tease me," she said, giving Harvey a half-flirtatious push.


    Just then, Harvey spottedn in the center of the room. He gave Vanessa''s waist a squeeze. "Want to go say hello to your old me?"


    Vanessa''s gaze drifted towardn. She forced a smile and said, "He has someone with him now. Why would he remember me?"


    "Mr. MacLeod, you want to get to know Mr. Goodwin? I could introduce you," Mr. Lambert offered, hoping to earn a favor and expand his ownwork within The Kingston Elite Circle.


    Harvey''s expression turned a bit awkward. He tugged at his tie. "Forget it. A guy on that level... we''d better not try to get close."


    Harvey waved his hand dismissively, his tone sheepish. His eyes betrayed an undisguised mix of apprehension and self-awareness.


    Althoughn wasn''t part of The Kingston Elite Circle, Harvey had heard whispers about his connections to Kingston.


    As arrogant as he was, he knew that forcing an introduction wouldn''t get him anywhere with a man like that.


    Vanessa sneered inwardly but said softly, "Mr. MacLeod is right. We should just have our own fun."


    Mr. Lambert''s eyes scanned Vanessa up and down with a meaningful smile. Vanessa met his gaze and gave him a seductive look of her own. "Mr. Lambert, here''s to you."


    Mr. Lambert smirked, acknowledging her flirtatious signal, and raised his ss. "To you, Miss Shannon."


    Then, a few of Harvey''s buddies came over. Vanessa felt extremely ufortable as their eyes raked over her.


    She couldn''t help but look towardn and Eleanor. They stood at the very heart of the crowd surrounded by people who held real power-the kind of people who could make the business world tremble.


    Meanwhile, the circle around Harvey was filled with nothing but rich yboys looking for a good time. No matter how loudly they talked, they were just fringe yers at this event.


    Vanessa kept a smile stered on her face, waiting forn to notice her. But his eyes were either on his guests or on Eleanor; he paid no attention to anyone else in the room.


    Of course. He was the center of attention, the person everyone wanted to impress. Why would he need to look elsewhere?


    Just then, she saw Eleanor say


    something ton. It looked like she


    was heading to the restroom.


    Suddenly, Vanessa sensed an opportunity. She was about to fin Out if Eleanor was truly untouchable as she seemed.


    Eleanor was indeed heading for the restroom. She walked with elegantposure down thevish hallway and entered, simply intending to touch up her makeup.


    Just then, the clicking of high heels announced another arrival.


    Eleanor nced over as Vanessa stepped in, a mocking smile on her red lips. "What a coincidence."


    Eleanor looked away, turning back to the mirror to touch up her lipstick, ignoring herpletely.


    Vanessa wasn''t annoyed. Instead, she leaned against the counter, crossing her arms and staring at Eleanor with resentment. There''s no one else here. We can drop the act. You must be so proud, seeing me like this."


    All the stall doors were open; they were indeed alone.


    Eleanor capped her lipstick and said coolly, "Whether you''re doing well or not has nothing to do with me. I don''t care."


    Vanessa let out a derisiveugh, as if she''d heard a joke. "How could it have nothing to do with you? If it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t be in this situation."