Less than twenty minutes later, a commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance.

Blake had arrived.


He stood tall in an impeccably tailored black suit, his expression cold as ice.

A row of black-suited bodyguards followed behind him, his presence so commanding it seemed to suck the oxygen from the room.

He walked straight toward me, his gaze sliding over Howard like he was nothing.


Finally, his eyes fell on my swollen, tear-stained face, and his brows furrowed deeply.

"Who made you cry?"


Before I could answer, Howard stood up, positioning himself between us.

"Blake, this is between Vanessa and me. It has nothing to do with you."

Blake gave a cold laugh, not even looking at him, and said to me:

"Vanessa, come here."

His tone commanding, brooking no argument.

In my past life, I hated this high-handed attitude of his the most.

But now, these three words gave me an unprecedented sense of security.

I bypassed Howard and walked toward Blake without hesitation.

Howard grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones.

"Vanessa, stop this nonsense. Come back with me."

His voice carried a plea, his eyes full of hurt.

If I hadn't heard his inner thoughts, I might have softened again.

[Can't let her leave. After planning for so long, I can't fail now!]

I forcefully shook off his hand and stepped behind Blake.

"Howard, I made myself clear. We're over."

Howard's hand froze in mid-air. Watching me step behind Blake, the last trace of warmth in his eyes completely vanished.

"Vanessa, are you that eager to throw yourself into his arms?" His voice trembled as he forced a bitter smile through his rage. "No matter how good I am to you, it can't compare to even a casual word from Blake, can it?"

Blake gently squeezed my hand, and this subtle gesture completely triggered Howard.

Howard's face suddenly twisted with rage. He glared at me fiercely, then abruptly turned toward Blake.

"Blake, are you satisfied now? Are you that happy to have stolen her from me?"

Blake kept me behind him, looking down at Howard with contempt in his eyes.

"Do I need to steal what's already mine?"

That single sentence completely infuriated Howard.

He lunged at Blake like a rabid animal.

The bodyguards instantly moved forward, pinning him firmly to the ground.

He was still howling in frustration:

"Blake! You hypocrite! Do you dare say you don't have indecent thoughts about Vanessa!"

Blake's body stiffened for a moment.

Hiding behind him, I clearly felt his muscles instantly tense up.

At that moment, the long-silent Gossip System suddenly activated.

[Ding! Extreme obsession detected, hidden gossip field unlocked!]

[Gossip Target: Blake.]

[Earth-shattering gossip: Blake is not your step-brother, you have no blood relation whatsoever. When your mother married into the Foster family with you, he was merely an adopted son taken in by the Fosters.]