Chapter 1290

Eleanor listened to Vanessa, realizing the other woman had no idea that after she had confessed her feelings all those years ago, she had decided to give up when lan didn’t respond. Their marriage hadn’t been her idea; lan had been the one to propose it just as she was ready to walk away.

“Vanessa, don’t judge others by your own filthy standards. Since you’ve already latched onto Walden Wells, you should focus on your own life,” Eleanor said coolly. “Going around bragging about your ‘glorious past’ with lan isn’t going to do you any favors p>

Just as Eleanor grabbed her bag to leave, Vanessa grabbed her arm, her voice filled with resentment. “Eleanor, stop pretending you’re so magnanimous. I refuse to believe you don’t hate him at all. When he had to choose between us at the pool, he chose me. In the dressing room, he let me service him. Do you really believe he was faithful to you during your marriage? You’re enjoying his attention now, but have you forgotten how he treated you back then? Tell me, do you really not hate lan anymore p>

Vanessa spat the words out through clenched teeth, determined to rip open Eleanor’s old wounds and pour salt on them.

Eleanor pulled her wrist free. It was true that lan’s past neglect and indifference had caused her immense pain. But now, listening to Vanessa, she felt a strange sense of calm. Hate? Of course she had.

But that was all in the past.

With time and personal growth, she had come to see things differently.

She and lan were partners now. He was providing the best possible resources to support her research, and she was focusing on her career to give back to society. There was no conflict.

Eleanor saw right through Vanessa’s true motive: to drive a wedge between her and lan, to force her to dredge up the past, to twist the knife in her old wounds.

The old Eleanor might have fallen into her trap. But not the Eleanor of today.

“Save your breath, Vanessa,” Eleanor said dismissively, adding, “He’s a good partner. That’s all that matters p>

Vanessa stared at her, stunned. She had expected her words to reignite Eleanor’s old hatred for lan, but she never imagined Eleanor would be so clear-headed.

“You” Vanessa bit her lip. “You’re pathetic p>

“I don’t need your approval,” Eleanor replied, glancing back at her before turning to leave with her bag.

Vanessa’s words were like a dull blade, completely ineffective against Eleanor. She gritted her teeth in frustration. The Eleanor of today wasnt the same person whose emotions could be swayed with a few simple words.

“Don’t get too smug, Eleanor,” Vanessa muttered to her reflection in the mirror.

If she didn’t say something, she felt like her own anger would consume her.

Wait a minute. Did Eleanor just say she and lan were only partners? Did that mean she was only interacting with him for work not because she was considering getting back

together with him?

A realization dawned on her, instantly lifting her gloomy mood. She almost laughed out loud.

So that was it.

It wasn’t Eleanor who had gone back, but an who was making the moves The same lan who had been so cold and distant was now doing everything he could to win Eleanor back.

The thought of the high and mighty, all-powerful lan getting stonewalled by Eleanor, groveling for her attention, only to be treated as a mere business partner p>

Heh.

A twisted sense of pleasure surged through Vanessa.

“So, lan, you finally got what was coming to you p>

Vanessa’s eyes gleamed with malicious delight. Eleanor was no longer the young

girl who was head-over-heels in love with him.