Chapter 422: I Put on My Most Beautiful Dress and Waited

I put on my most beautiful dress and waited for him with anticipation. My heart was pounding with nervous excitement. But he never showed up. Instead, his assistant arrived in his place. Tears streamed down Vanessa's face as she spoke. Henry Bennett frowned deeply. Could it be true that Vanessa had drugged herself for Derek, only to be met by his assistant? Vanessa watched Henry from the corner of her eye. Seeing his growing belief, she sobbed even harder.

"This wouldn't have happened if he came himself," she cried. "I never wanted any of this!"

She collapsed to her knees, her body trembling with emotion.

"I've been suffering the most through all of this!"

Vanessa curled into a small ball on the cold marble floor. Her fragile form looked heartbreakingly vulnerable. She hugged her knees tightly as tears continued to fall.

"Now everyone in the world despises me," she whispered. "No one trusts me or likes me anymore."

She looked up with pleading eyes. "But I'm your real granddaughter. Would you really treat me like everyone else? Would you really bully me too?" Her voice grew softer. "This is my home, my only safe place. I don't even ask to marry Derek anymore. I just don't want you all to look down on me..." Her words were filled with humility and pain. Henry's stern expression finally softened. He let out a heavy sigh. "Go back to your room and rest. I'll make sure everyone here treats you properly."

He paused, considering his next words. "As for the shares... there's no alternative. We must wait for this scandal to pass before returning them to you." Vanessa's hands clenched tightly beneath her sleeves. He was still taking her thirty percent shares? Even after seeing her completely broken and vulnerable? Ice-cold determination filled her gaze. All that acting had been for nothing? How could he be so heartless? Transfer them back later? She knew better. They would keep all her shares until they discovered she wasn't the real daughter. Then they would throw her out completely.

A cold smile touched Vanessa's lips as she staggered to her feet.

"Grandfather," she said, her voice trembling. "You've forced my hand. You left me no choice."

She met his gaze directly. "I considered you all my family, my only support system. But now you've all turned against me!" Her voice rose with desperation. "I have nothing left! Those shares are my only security!"

"I can't lose them! I won't let you take them from me!"

She took a shaky breath. "So forgive me... but you've pushed me to this point. I have no other options." Henry felt a sudden sense of unease. "What are you doing?" Vanessa pulled out her phone and showed him several photos. The images showed Caleb locked in a small underground room. The dark space had no windows, only a dim yellow light overhead. Caleb knelt on the floor, curled into a pitiful position. Henry's face paled with alarm. "Vanessa! How could you do this to your own brother? He gave you his shares!"

"Don't worry, Grandfather," Vanessa said coldly. "As long as you don't take my shares and give me your thirty percent, I'll make sure Caleb returns home safely."

Henry's expression darkened completely. Not only could he not take her shares, but he had to give her his own? She was using Caleb to threaten him!