Smith produced three copies of the contract, placing one in front of Eleanor and another before Vanessa. "Miss Shannon, please calm down. We're not trying to make things difficult. The terms of the contract are binding for both parties, and these are the supplementary clauses you yourself insisted on adding."

Eleanor instinctively reached out and began flipping through the contract. She had only turned two pages when an intense, urgent gaze fell upon her from the head of the table.

lan immediately sat up straighter, his eyes locked on Eleanor's delicate fingers as she turned the pages, waiting with bated breath for her to continue.

At that moment, Vanessa stared at the contract in front of her, her face flushing a deep red. Her gaze shot to Eleanor, who was still reading, and her chest heaved with agitation.

She had never imagined that this contract would one day end up in Eleanor's hands for her to read.

Eleanor, however, seemed to have little interest in it. After listlessly flipping through a couple of pages, she closed the document and pushed it aside.

lan's brow furrowed tightly. Beneath the table, his hand clenched into a fist for a moment before he quickly composed himself.

Beside them, Smith continued speaking to Vanessa. "Miss Shannon, I trust you understand the significance of this contract. We expect you to honor our agreement."

Vanessa stared at the contract with hatred. The signature she had once so gladly penned now seemed to mock her.

Of course she knew its contents; she had been the one to insist on adding several of the more unreasonable clauses.

For instance, one clause required the first party to reside in Drexford for six months out of every year to accompany her, attending any academic or public business events she had.

Another allowed the second party to demand the first party's cooperation in commercial promotions and private social engagements as needed.

Another explicitly stated that the first party (lan) must use his resources and connections to provide full support for the second party Vanessa's) admission to and studies at a top arts Institute in Drexford, ensuring her successful graduation.

And on important holidays, the first party was required to give expensive gifts valued at no less than seven figures and attend celebrations in person whenever possible.

These clauses, all there in black and white, clearly documented how Vanessa had exploited her unique status as a donor to make both emotional and material demands on lan.

Now, that very contract lay blatantly exposed before Eleanor for her to peruse, and Vanessa felt as if she'd been slapped hard across the face.

She shot a look at lan. Did he really have to do this? What was he trying to prove by showing Eleanor this contract? That he had been an

unwilling participant? that she was

despicable?

She wanted to scream these questions at lan, but in the end, she just bit down

hard on her lower lip, nearly drawing blood.

Just then, Eleanor, feeling she had no reason to be there and wanting to waste no more time, picked up her laptop and stood. "D":"Smith" there's nothing else, I'm going back to work."

Smith nodded, and Eleanor walked straight out of the conference room.

A complex, somber gaze followed her out. Ian clearly hadn't expected Eleanor to show absolutely no interest in the contract, not even enough to turn another page.

Could it be... that she really didn't care at all anymore?

This scene did not escape Vanessa's notice. Her earlier shame and indignation strangely morphed into a sense of glee.