Chapter 1023
“Look at that, lan. You went to all this trouble to bring Eleanor in, hoping to use this contract to prove you had no choice, to clarify the nature of our relationship. And what was the result? Eleanor doesn’t care in the slightest p>
The corners of Vanessa’s mouth twitched, threatening to curve into a smile. Finally, with a mocking tone, she looked at lan. “See, lan? Even when you lay the evidence of our dealings on the table, she can’t be bothered to give it a second glance. Why do you even bother flattering yourself p>
lan’s head snapped toward her, his eyes flashing a warning. “Watch your words.” Vanessa shrugged, feigning innocence. “I’m just telling it like it is p>
After a moment, she turned to Smith. “Dr. Smith, could you give lan and me a moment alone p>
Smith looked to lan, who gave no indication either way, but Smith decided to give them their privacy.
He stood up and left.
As soon as the conference room door closed, Vanessa shifted her chair closer to lan, her voice turning soft and gentle. “Ian, I know I was emotional just now. We can discuss the contract civilly. But can you please continue to help my father’s company? The orders from InnoMind are incredibly important to him p>
As she spoke, she reached out, instinctively trying to grab his sleeve, but a pair of icy eyes stopped her hand mid-air.
She awkwardly withdrew her hand, her expression pleading. “Please, lan. If you just help my dad this one time, I promise I’ll do whatever you say p>
lan stood up and looked down at her coldly. “Even greed has its limits. I am under no obligation to foot the bill for the Yeatons’ ambitions and future p>
Vanessa bit her lip. “But… you helped my family willingly before p>
lan stared down at her, his gaze as sharp as a knife. “Go back and tell your father that I will not be providing any further assistance. As for the contract, the choice is yours: continue, or pay the penalty p>
As the conference room door clicked shut, Vanessa’s head shot up. Her pupils constricted as if she’d been struck by lightning, and in that instant, everything became clear.
So that was it.
She had always wondered why lan had suddenly been so kind back then, not only agreeing to her outrageous demands but also
proactively helping her father net
company weather its crisis and even
injecting capital to help it go public.
Now, she finally understood. It had all been a carefully laid trap from the very beginning.
From the moment he took over the
mess that was Yeaton Holdings, it was never about affection or
goodwill. It was about seizing
control of its fifeline, turning her
father’s company into a sword
hanging right over her head.
lan had anticipated this day might come-the day she would try to break free from
the contract and his control.
So, not only did he help her father go public, but he also entangled him in a deep partnership with the InnoMind Group, making it his biggest client. He wasn’t helping her at all he was using a colder, more effective method to keep her, the donor, firmly in his grasp ensuring that for the sake of her family, she would remain at his mercy and never dare to breach the contract.
As the realization washed over her, a chill ran up her spine, leaving her ice-cold.
For the first time, she truly understood how terrifying lan could be. His schemes, his methods-they were far more calculating and ruthless than she had ever imagined.
She had turned her own family’s company into his collateral.
Vanessa gasped for air, clutching the edge of the table to keep herself steady.