No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 871

Selma Quigley was clearly aware of Henry's history, and after a brief, almost imperceptible pause, her composure returned.

Henry, on the other hand, froze. A flicker of panic and guilt crossed his face, and he quickly dropped his hand from Vanessa's shoulder.

Vanessa, ever perceptive, sensed the shift. She studied Selma with curiosity. "Henry, do you two know each other?"

Henry cleared his throat, schooling his features. "Vanessa, this is Miss Quigley." He then avoided Selma's gaze as he introduced the other woman. "Selma, this is Miss Shannon."

Selma's smile didn't waver. "Miss Shannon, it's a pleasure. I was at your last piano recital." Her grace was impeccable, especially considering she was face-to-face with the woman who had taken the man beside her's virginity.

Her poise was not what Henry had expected, and his panic and guilt strangely morphed into a flicker of admiration. He had tried to contact Selma several times after their night together to talk, but she had avoided him. Seeing her here, so suddenly, had caught him completely off guard.

"Thank you, Miss Quigley. I'm flattered," Vanessa replied, though her eyes darted to Henry, noticing his gaze was still on Selma.

Selma excused herself and walked past them into the restroom. When Vanessa turned back to Henry, she found him staring down the hallway, lost in thought.

Vanessa's intuition screamed. "Henry," she asked casually, "have you and Miss Quigley met before? You never mentioned her."

"Mr. Duskborne, would you mind if I had a word with my friend?" he said, his tone carrying a distinct warning.

Vanessa didn't turn around, but a triumphant smile played on her lips as Mr. Duskborne quickly excused himself. When she finally turned, her eyes fell on Selma Quigley, who was chatting with a group of socialites across the room. Noticing Henry's tie was crooked, Vanessa reached up and straightened it for him.

Henry's breath caught as he looked down at her, momentarily mesmerized.

From afar, Selma observed them, her composure finally wavered, betrayed by a flash of pain.