Chapter 310

Vanessa stood nearby, pulling out her phone with a practiced smile. "We should exchange contacts for easier communication."

But before she could scan the code, Serena had already slipped her phone back into her pocket.

"I should go. Daddy will be looking for me. Let's catch up later!"

"Serena, wait—I haven't—"

Vanessa shot to her feet, but Serena didn’t spare her a glance. With a cheerful wave at Evelyn, she dashed off in the opposite direction.

Watching Serena disappear into the crowd, Vanessa clenched her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"You always know how to step on others, Vanessa. But not everyone is willing to be your stepping stone. Be careful—you might trip one day."

Evelyn’s voice dripped with disdain.

"Why shouldn’t I? It’s what I do best," Vanessa snapped, her frustration boiling over. "Don’t act so righteous, Evelyn. You climbed your way up too, didn’t you? We’re not so different."

Humiliated by Serena’s dismissal, Vanessa lashed out at Evelyn instead.

If she couldn’t get close to Serena, then she’d go straight to the source. No need for detours.

"Only someone with a twisted mind assumes everyone else is just as rotten."

Evelyn gave her a cold once-over. "Have you ever taken a good look at yourself?"

"You—"

Before Vanessa could retaliate, Evelyn had already walked away, her assistant trailing behind.

Lucien, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, sauntered over. "I thought you had a knack for latching onto the right people."

Vanessa glared at Evelyn’s retreating figure. "Rome wasn’t built in a day."

"True," Lucien drawled. "But only if you actually finish building it. At your pace, you’ll never get anywhere."

His mocking tone cut deep. He knew exactly what Vanessa was after.

She was always looking for the next rung to climb. She’d given herself to him freely, trading favors for a shot at the annual competition.

Now that she’d set her sights on Harrison Whitaker, Lucien saw the writing on the wall.

Not that he cared. He’d grown bored of her anyway. Her greed amused him—they were cut from the same cloth.

Maybe he could still profit from her ambition.

Vanessa turned on him with a sneer. "Don’t act so high and mighty, Mr. Dubois. We’ve been here long enough, and I haven’t seen anyone bowing at your feet. Maybe you’re not as important as you claimed."

Back in Veridia, Vanessa had assumed Lucien was a big name in the industry. She’d thought clinging to him would elevate her status.

But here in Valmont?

He was just another face in the crowd. No special treatment, no VIP greetings.

Had he lied about his influence?

Or was he simply irrelevant?