Vanessa bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with tears-tears of excitement and gratitude.

She looked up at Walden Wells. "I don't need until seven. I'll agree right now. I, I'm willing."

Walden Wells smiled, satisfied. "Good. You have what it takes to be Walden Wells's woman."

With that, he took a room key card from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Ten o'clock tonight, the presidential suite at this hotel. I'll see you then."

Vanessa stared at the key card, then at Walden Wells's retreating back, her whole body trembling slightly.

Finally, was she finally going to be free of lan? With Walden Wells, her father's company would be safe, and her shares would be secure.

lan, if I can't have you, then I'll become your enemy.

Vanessa sat alone in the empty cafe, clutching the key card so tightly she nearly bent it in two.

Ten o'clock at night.

In the presidential suite, Vanessa stood wrapped in a bath towel, looking down at the cityscape below, tears of humiliation welling in her eyes.

She, Vanessa, the piano goddess once pursued by countless rich heirs, was now about to willingly climb into an old man's bed.

And it was all lan's fault.

If he had been willing to love her, to marry her, she would never have ended up in this position.

A fierce hatred blazed in Vanessa's eyes. "Ian, after tonight, I will hate you for the rest of my life."

A moment later, a female assistant delivered a sexy, wine-red nightgown. Vanessa took it and changed. Not long after, the doorbell rang.

She took a deep breath, plastered a seductive smile on her face, and opened the door. Walden Wells

Over

stood outside his eyes raking. her body before nodding in satisfaction.

"Mr. Wells." Vanessa lowered her gaze shyly and stepped aside to let him in.

Walden Wells entered and immediately wrapped an arm around her waist. "Have you thought it through? Once you're with me, you'll enjoy endless wealth and luxury."

Vanessa pressed herself against him. "It's my good fortune to be with you."

That night was endlessly long for Vanessa. As Walden Wells was on

top of her in the

arkness, she bitTM

her lip so hard it nearly bled, ber

mind filled with images of lan.

When it was over, Walden Wells fell into a contented sleep. Vanessa went into the

bathroom, her face twisted into a grotesque smile.

"lan, you did this to me. I will make you pay."

The morning sun streamed through

the curtains. Walden Wells woke up to find Vanessa still asleep. His phone rang, and he picked at up, walking over to the French windows to take the call.

It was about a networking event for The Guild of Commerce. Walden Wells sounded annoyed. "I don't have time for things like this. Decline for me."

Then, the person on the other end mentioned something else. Walden Wells raised an eyebrow. "A gala for The Guild of Commerce?"

Just then, a pair of snake-like arms wrapped around his waist from behind. "Walden, can I go to the gala?"

Walden Wells immediately smiled, patting her hand. He spoke into the phone, "Get me two invitation cards."

After hanging up, Vanessa draped her arms around his neck. "I love galas. I hope it's not too much trouble for you."

"Of course not. How many people will envy me when I arrive with such a beautiful date?" Walden Wells said, tapping her nose with a fond smile.

Vanessa smiled and nodded. "Alright, I promise I won't embarrass you."

Walden Wells couldn't care less if others envied him. What he found truly interesting was the idea of bringing lan's former woman to a gala hosted by lan himself.