No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1016

He looked down at her, his gaze sharp enough to see through anything. "Do you think I'm still the same fool you could deceive with a few tears? Your tears now aren't for regret, but for the fear of losing your backup plan—of losing the resources and material wealth I can provide you."

Vanessa's tears still clung to her lashes, but a flash of panic at being seen through flickered across her face.

"Henry, how can you—" Vanessa looked at him with anger and resentment.

But Henry cut her off. "Stop acting. You chose this path, so you walk it alone. As for the time and money I spent on you, I'll write it off as a loss. So, please, stay out of my life and don't disgust me ever again."

Henry's words were spoken calmly, but each one was like a knife stabbing at Vanessa's heart, making her understand with brutal clarity that all her pretenses and manipulations were useless against a Henry who now saw the truth.

And Henry's calm request for her to get out of his world was more hurtful than any angry outburst.

She sat slumped on the floor, her face ashen, feeling utterly powerless and humiliated.

Henry pressed the intercom and said, "Send two security guards up. Please escort Miss Shannon out. And from now on, she is not to set foot in this company without my permission."

Mustering her last shred of dignity, Vanessa scrambled up from the floor. She picked up her bag, straightened her back, and glared at Henry. "You don't need security. I can walk out on my own. Henry, I never thought you could be so cruel."

Naturally, Vanessa was resentful. She had invested a great deal of effort in Henry over the past seven years and couldn't accept such an outcome.

Henry watched her coldly. "You should have expected this."

As Vanessa stumbled toward the door, she saw Selma Quigley standing just outside the partially open door. Vanessa's face instantly flushed with shame.

"You—" The words were like a silent slap across Vanessa's face.

"As for whether Henry will treat me that way, you don't need to worry. We will manage our own relationship."

Just then, the door opened fully. Henry stood there, his face dark, his eyes fixed on Vanessa with fury. Clearly, he had seen this final, venomous display.

Vanessa's face paled in panic.

Henry stood beside Selma and took her hand. "Do you see, Vanessa? Selma is the one who truly deserves to be cherished. You're not worthy of being compared to her. Now get out. Don't humiliate yourself further."