Chapter 4

Vanessa didn't feel ashamed at all, and bit her ruby-red lip as she replied, "Who told you to hide from me and not meet me? I had no choice but to wait for you here."

"I'm hiding from you. Don't you know what that means?"

She was so innocent back then, and truly shook her head.

Julian had already maintained due gentlemanly decorum and explained to her, "Because I don't want to see you."

"You can pretend you don't see me, but I just want to see you a few more times, even just once." Vanessa had to admire her own strong self-esteem. Julian's expression was so dark, yet she could still act spoiled in front of him: "Julian, I really miss you. Don't you miss me at all?"

Returning to the old place, it had been renovated. The second floor was gone, and the shadow of her chasing after Julian wouldn't be there anymore.

Adrian didn't accompany Vanessa into the private room. It was empty, without food or tea.

"Wait here. Someone will come to meet you soon."

Vanessa stood with pursed lips, catching a hint of cunning in Adrian's eyes. She nodded and said okay, then sat down on a chair, without asking a single extra word.

But the person Adrian mentioned hadn't arrived yet. Sunrise and sunset happened in the blink of an eye.

Dusk fell, and the diners here changed batch after batch, before Adrian finally called, directing her to another location.

Vanessa glanced at the address. It was a private club under Julian's name.

As soon as the sun set, it started to rain. She chose a private room with the best view. Rain streaks covered the windows. Julian stood by the window. With a downward glance, he could see the weak figure jogging into the entrance below.

Vanessa hadn't brought an umbrella, and her shoulders were soaked through. A few strands of wet hair stuck to her temples. She hugged herself and stood at the entrance of the club, wanting to go in, but was stopped by the security guard. She called Adrian, but couldn't get through.

The cold rain and wind soaked through her clothes, making her shiver.

The people upstairs watched her embarrassment and disarray as if it were a good show. Adrian walked to the window, glanced down, and said coldly, "Let's see how much longer she can keep up the act."

Two heartless faces were reflected on the window. Julian lightly swirled the wine in his glass. "She really waited all day?"

"Absolutely true." Adrian had even sent people to monitor her. "Her family has arranged a marriage for her, to meet the youngest son of the Cole family. You know Bart Cole, a spoiled playboy. The Cole family agreed to return a favor, but Bart didn't agree. He refused to go no matter what."

Evelyn had gone to great lengths for this imposter.

Adrian couldn't agree. Before Vanessa's true identity was revealed, it was one thing for Evelyn to dote on her, but even without that blood relationship, she still treated her like her own daughter.

Sending her away these past three years, Evelyn had cried every day. At her worst, she even suffered from depression.

Julian downed a mouthful of wine, the spiciness making his voice hoarse and heavy. "Bart is next door?"

Adrian: "Of course. Probably with another group, indulging in pleasure."

"Go inform him."

"Huh?"

Julian's silhouette was submerged in the dimness, his expression hidden. His fingertip gently brushed against the rim of the glass. Adrian didn't understand. "If he goes down, that imposter will be smug again."

"He won't go down." Julian was certain, but he would send someone else.

What was so fun about watching someone get rained on?

The exciting part was yet to come.

Adrian left, leaving Julian alone in the private room. He leaned against the window, flicked open a metal lighter, cupped the flame in his palm, lit a cigarette, and as he waited, he looked down again. The scene that entered his eyes stunned him.

Downstairs.

Vanessa stepped down one of the stairs. She carefully reached out her hand, letting the rainwater accumulate in her palm, and then brought it to her lips, taking small sips.

That image made Julian think of a white, yet dirty, stray cat licking up sewage by the roadside.

But he wouldn't offer help.

After all, beneath Vanessa's soft fur were sharp fangs and claws. He could easily get scratched if he wasn't careful. Having learned from past experiences, Julian wouldn't soften easily, but the shock in his heart was still hard to suppress.

After swallowing that mouthful of rainwater, the door behind her opened automatically. The person who came out wasn't Adrian, and it wasn't Bart, who Evelyn described as talented and handsome.

Vanessa recognized the leading woman. She had offended her in the past.

If one had to say she offended her, it wasn't quite accurate. It was just that she had won against her in a violin competition. She cried in the backstage, Vanessa couldn't stand it, and rebuked her in front of everyone, "Do you think this is kindergarten? You cry because you can't get first place? Waiting for someone to give you candy to comfort you?"

What goes around comes around. Now it was her turn.

The woman walked in front of her, her eyes raised slightly with contempt. She crossed her arms, stood firmly, and glanced up and down at her. "Look, who is this?"