Chapter 1409

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 accident," Vanessa said before grabbing her purse and walking out.

When Eleanor returned to the ballroom, lan, 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?"

lan glanced at the time. It was already past 7:30. He nodded. "Alright."

Just then, lan'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?" lan asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

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

But lan 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?" lan asked in a low voice.

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

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

Before Eleanor could respond, lan's large 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 watched lan 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 to come 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 was complete humiliation and dismissal from lan.

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 glasses of red wine, all while several pairs of predatory eyes scanned her up and down like slavering wolves.

After all, she was once a goddess at these galas, the companion of princes among men like Henry, lan, and Xavier.

Now that she had fallen from grace, she had naturally become 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 by lan. He said to Gavin, "Take us to a nearby restaurant."

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

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

turned to Gavin. "Home."