Gael knew that winning over Vanessa would require a financial investment, and he was eager to show off his wealth to make her more willing to stay with him.


    As it happened, his good friend''s father owned thergest equestrian center in Ashford City. He immediately responded with magnanimity, "Of course. I was actually thinking of picking out a new horse myself recently. We can go take a look right now."


    Vanessa''s heart leaped with joy. It seemed Gael was serious about pursuing her. She had been worried he might be stingy.


    Her red lips curved into a delighted smile. "Thank you, Mr. Brown! Let''s go, then!"


    Gael had only taken a few steps after getting up when Vanessa''s arm naturally linked with his. A jolt of pleasure went through him. She was exactly his type. Even though he was getting Harvey''s seconds, he didn''t mind at all.


    In fact, he enjoyed it.


    Gael had one major insecurity: he felt hecked a certain masculine charm and often felt self-conscious around women. This made him crave the feeling of being admired by them.


    ***


    At a high-end equestrian center, two cars pulled into the parking lot one after the other.


    It wasn with his daughter, and his sister Serena, who had driven there by herself. "Auntie!" Evelyn called out happily.


    Serena had some free time, and when she heard they were going riding, she decided to join her brother and niece.


    The equestrian center had professional training areas for racehorses as well as sections for members to ride leisurely and purchase horses.


    Evelyn, fully kitted out in riding gear, happily held the reins and chatted with her pony, Mann, while Serena stood nearby, taking pictures.


    Half an hour passed quickly, and Evelyn was getting a bit tired. Serena headed back to the lounge area to rest.


    Just then, she saw new guests arriving at the entrance. Serena nced over, and her expression immediately soured. Of all the people to run into.


    It was Vanessa with another man.


    Vanessa''s sharp eyes also spotted Serena, and her expression grew stiff and unpleasant. She hadn''t expected to run into Serena in a city asrge as Ashford.


    "Vanessa, I''m going to say hi to a friend. Why don''t you find a ce to sit and wait for me?" Gael said.


    Vanessa nodded with a charming smile. "Okay, you go on! I''ll get something to drink."


    Braving Serena''s fiery re, Vanessa walked over and sat down near her, ordering a drink from a server.


    "Looks like you''ve already found yourself a new target to bankroll your lifestyle," Serena couldn''t help but mock. Vanessa''s private life was so scandalous she had to say something.


    First, there were the rumors about her and Walden Wells circting in their social circle, then just a few days ago, she''d heard Vanessa had attached herself to another rick heir. And now, today, she was with


    someone new again.


    Perhaps because she truly detested Vanessa, Serena couldn''t help but pay attention to the gossip about her.


    At this point, Vanessa had nothing left to lose, so she had nothing to fear. She shed a derisive smile. "Miss Goodwin not everyone is as lucky as you. Besides, who I''m with is none of your business. Shouldn''t you be thanking me for the fact that you''re still alive?"


    Vanessa guessed that Serena''s disappearance for a while was due to a re-up of her gic condition, which was why she had been putting off seeing her and spending so much time at Dr Smithsb.


    Serena snorted. "Why should I thank you? My brother paid a fortune for your blood.


    It wasn''t a free donation."