In the taxi, Vanessa smirked as she watched Luca leave, a fierce determination flickering in her eyes.

 

The pain she had endured five years ago would be returned to them a hundredfold!

 

Suddenly, the little girl tugged at her shirt and called out worriedly, “Mommy, what is going on?”

 

Vanessa quickly suppressed her emotions and turned to face her, a gentle smile on her lips. “Oh, nothing. What do you want to eat today, Isla?”

 

“I want spaghetti, with shrimp and meatballs!”

 

Vanessa chuckled and pinched the little girl’s tummy. “You little glutton, you already have so much meat on you!”

 

The little girl puffed up her cheeks, turned her head away, and pretended to be angry. “Mommy is bad!”

 

“Hahaha! Okay, okay, Isla has no meat on her tummy!” Vanessa continued to tease her.

 

“Oh no, Mommy, stop laughing!” The little girl complained, grabbing her hair in frustration.

 

“I won’t laugh anymore; let’s go home and eat.”

 

That night, after putting the child to sleep, Vanessa got up to tidy up.

 

The living room was pitch black. Vanessa sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the bright lights outside, her mind swirling with thoughts.

 

Memories from five years ago flooded over her like a deluge.

 

She had loved Luca for seven years, shamelessly clinging to him, trying to melt the ice between them. In the end, she finally married him. For his sake, she stepped back from the Saxon family, giving up the opportunity for further studies abroad, so she could spend more time with him.

 

Even though he didn’t come to her most important birthday, even though he didn’t show up when she returned home in the rain with a high fever, even though after their marriage he never stayed overnight at home, leaving her the subject of endless ridicule from others. It was understandable; after all, they had a marriage of convenience for the sake of benefits, and he didn’t care about her.

 

She still remembered how she tried her best to fulfill the role of ‘Mrs. Kensington,’ naively believing that one day she would touch Luca’s heart.

 

Until he personally administered oxytocin to her and sent her onto the operating table.

 

These memories tortured her day after day.

 

If it weren’t for Daxton appearing and taking her away, she might have already turned into a pile of bones by now.

 

But she was no longer the naive Vanessa who had been used and was unaware of it five years ago.

 

She had returned, and everything was just beginning.

 

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts.

 

Vanessa walked to the door and peered through the peephole, seeing a man holding several takeout boxes that clashed with his expensive dark blue suit.

 

Raising her eyebrows in surprise, Vanessa reached out to open the door.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

Daxton walked in with the items, changing his shoes as he spoke. “I heard about what happened to Isla at the kindergarten today. I was a bit worried, so I came to check on her. Is she asleep?”

 

Vanessa’s gaze shifted slightly, but in the end, she didn’t say anything, only responding with a soft “Yeah.”

 

“Then I guess I won’t enjoy this,” the man said, placing the food on the table. “What are you dazed for? This is from your favorite place.”

 

With her expression returning to normal, Vanessa walked over to sit down, though she had little appetite.

 

Daxton, familiar with the place, opened the wine cabinet and poured two glasses of red wine. “How’s the company preparing for everything?” he asked.

 

“Red wine with snacks—just like you, President Radcliffe,” Vanessa replied, taking the wine glass. “It’s almost ready. Tomorrow, we’ll attend the first bidding.”

 

Daxton always had confidence in her. He secretly observed her expression, hesitating over whether to ask that question.

 

Vanessa chuckled lightly. “You want to ask about Luca?”

 

“Nothing escapes your eyes.”

 

“There’s no possibility between me and him.” Vanessa downed her glass of red wine, a hint of fatigue flickering in her gaze.

 

‘What about me?’ Daxton still didn’t have the courage to voice that thought. He chuckled, changing the topic. “I’m worried that Luca might do something to Isla.”

 

“I won’t give him that chance.”

 

After chatting a bit more, Daxton left.

 

As she tidied up the mess in the living room, she returned to lie beside the little one. Watching the sleeping child, she gently kissed her fair cheek, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes.

 

She wouldn’t let Isla come to any harm!

 

…

 

The next day, at K Group, in the president’s office.

 

Luca stared at the information displayed on the computer, remaining silent.

 

‘That child was actually named Isla Saxon and did not carry the Radcliffe last name?’

 

Lost in thought, he was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door.

 

“Come in.”

 

Beatriz wore a black dress that accentuated her perfect figure, her face adorned with delicate makeup, and her hair casually draped down, exuding elegance and confidence.

 

With a gentle smile, Beatriz said softly, “You didn’t come home last night. Grandpa asked me to come take a look, but I didn’t expect to find you at the company.”

 

“Is there something you need?”

 

The colder tone than usual pierced Beatriz’s heart like a thorn.

 

For five years, no matter how well she performed, even after using every means to move into the Kensington mansion and being recognized by Mr. Kensington as part of the family, Luca still refused to get engaged to her.

 

She knew that Luca always held Vanessa in his heart but could never let go of the betrayal she had caused. Given Luca’s personality, he would never turn back.

 

Besides, the only person standing beside Luca now was her.

 

She just needed to confirm it.

 

Maintaining her smile, Beatriz tentatively said, “Vanessa isn’t dead, you know?”

 

Luca processed the documents in his hand, not even sparing her a glance.

 

***