Just then, another guest entered, saw the mess on the floor, and asked with a frown, "Miss, what happened here?"


    "I knocked it over by ident," Vanessa said before grabbing her purse and walking out.


    When Eleanor returned to the ballroom,n, who was making small talk with some other guests, looked over at her and immediately noticed that she seemed upset. "What''s wrong? Are you not feeling well?" he asked in a low, concerned voice.


    Eleanor shook her head. "It''s nothing. Can we leave at eight?"


    Just then,n''s gaze fell upon Vanessa emerging from the direction of the restrooms. His expression instantly turned cold; he now understood why Eleanor was upset.


    "What did she say to you?"n asked, his brow furrowed with concern.


    Eleanor caught a glimpse of Vanessa re-entering the ballroom and said tly, "Nothing."


    Butn knew Vanessa too well. He was keenly aware of the depth of her grudge against Eleanor and could guess what kind of things she might have said.


    "Do you want to leave now?"n asked in a low voice.


    Eleanor looked up. "Don''t you have to wait for Mr. Brown?"


    "I''ll visit him personally next time."n wasn''t going to wait. He didn''t want Eleanor to stay in an ufortable environment.


    Before Eleanor could respond,n''srge hand closed around her wrist. He excused himself to the guests beside them and began leading her toward the exit.


    The sight stabbed Vanessa in the heart. The pain was so sharp it almost took her breath away, and a chill ran through her.


    She watchedn lead Eleanor toward the exit, as if her very presence had polluted the air and insulted the surroundings.


    He must have guessed what she''d said to Eleanor in the restroom, yet he didn''t even deign toe over and confront her.


    In his eyes, was she no longer even worthy of being told off by him? Or was the very idea of speaking to her now repulsive to him?


    This realization was another poisoned dagger, plunging into her heart and twisting viciously.


    What had she gained over all these


    years? She had schemed and


    I she had


    plotted and in the end ai she


    earned wasplete humiliation and dismissal fromn.


    Just then, an impatient male voice called out, "Where did you run off to? I''ve been looking all over for you."


    Harvey reached out and grabbed her hand. "Come on, have a few drinks with my friends."


    Vanessa forced a smile and


    followed him to his circle of friends.


    After a few rounds of toasts, she had been forced to down three sses of red wine, all while several pairs of predatory eyes scanned her up and down like vering wolves.


    After all, she was once a goddess at these gs, thepanion of princes among men like Henry,n, and Xavier.


    Now that she had fallen from grace, she had naturally be prey for these less- reputable men to toy with and fantasize about conquering.


    "Miss Shannon can really hold her liquor!"


    Vanessa fought back the nausea in her stomach and the humiliation in her heart, forcing a smile to deal with the crowd.


    For her, if she wanted to find her footing in this world, there would be many more nights like this.


    Gavin was waiting with the car at the hotel entrance Eleanor opened the door and got in, followed byn. He said to Gavin, "Take us to a nearby restaurant."


    "No, it''s okay. I''d rather go home," Eleanor said.


    n looked at Eleanor, seeming like he wanted to say something but held back. He


    turned to Gavin. "Home."