Chapter 135

"Nathan!" Vanessa barely let him take three steps before cutting him off.

Nathan Sterling's face darkened with irritation. "What do you want?"

Vanessa's cheeks burned from the humiliation of her friends' mocking laughter. She needed Nathan to restore her pride.

In her mind, only her brother could help now. The Sterling name commanded respect throughout Pamore.

"Nathan, how well do you know Mr. Whitmore from Horizon Technologies?"

At Harrison's mention, Nathan's eyes turned glacial, his lips twisting into a sneer. "We're not acquainted. But someone here seems quite familiar with him."

Vanessa followed his gaze and spotted Evelyn Carter standing close to Harrison in the crowd.

Jealousy erupted inside her like wildfire, her nails digging into her palms.

"That witch Evelyn! She barely left your side before attaching herself to Horizon's CEO! The audacity!"

Especially with someone as distinguished as Harrison Whitmore. Evelyn didn't deserve to breathe the same air as him.

Nathan recognized the bitter envy in her voice - it mirrored his own. "You're interested in Harrison?"

Vanessa scoffed. "Don't you think it's criminal for a man like him to waste his time on Evelyn?"

Frustration gnawed at her. How did Evelyn always land such extraordinary men?

"Nathan, help me!"

He found her pathetic. "No."

Her face fell. "Still carrying a torch for your ex-wife? Is that why you're protecting her?"

"Not your concern!"

"Nathan!" Vanessa stamped her designer heel in frustration.

"Whatever you think, I'm determined to have Harrison!" Her declaration rang with conviction.

The memory of her friends' smirks fueled her determination. This was her only path to redemption.

Vanessa squared her shoulders. "I'm Vanessa Sterling. When I want something, I get it. And I will have Harrison Whitmore."

"Do as you please. But don't say I didn't warn you. Men crave what they can't have. Those who throw themselves at them end up..."

His words fell on deaf ears. Vanessa was already plotting her approach, barely registering his warning.

"Yeah, whatever."

With that, she marched toward Harrison and Evelyn.

"Mr. Whitmore! I've heard so much about your accomplishments!" Vanessa flashed her most dazzling smile.

As a Sterling heiress, Vanessa possessed striking beauty. She tilted her head coquettishly, certain no man could resist her charms.

Yet Harrison remained engrossed in conversation with several executives, oblivious to her presence.

Annoyance flickered across her face. "Mr. Whitmore? Vanessa Sterling of Sterling Enterprises. A pleasure."

The Sterling name finally caught his attention. Harrison's assessing glance immediately decoded her intentions.

He'd encountered countless women like her.

With deliberate casualness, Harrison pulled Evelyn closer. "Sterling who? Do you know these people?"

Evelyn suppressed an eye roll at Vanessa's blatant flirtation. "Ah, the Sterling heiress. My former sister-in-law."