Then it became personal.
Vanessa convinced him that Olivia was holding him back.
She told him that he deserved a partner who understood his ambitions.
She also encouraged him to distance himself from Olivia's family.
Daniel listened.
He began hiding meetings.
He stopped answering calls.
He invented business trips.
Eventually, he began telling people that his relationship with Olivia was practically over.
But he never had the courage to end it honestly.
Instead, he allowed both women to believe different versions of the truth.
He wanted Olivia's loyalty and financial connections.
He wanted Vanessa's admiration and access to wealthy social circles.
He believed he could keep both worlds separate forever.
Now, in the middle of the Imperial Grand Hotel, that carefully constructed lie was collapsing.
CHAPTER 4: VANESSA'S CONFIDENCE
Vanessa looked at Olivia's phone.
"Did your mother promise to rescue you?"
Olivia remained silent.
Vanessa continued.
"Let me give you some advice. Sometimes people need to accept when they've lost."
Olivia slowly looked up.
"Lost what?"
"Daniel."
Olivia glanced at the man standing beside them.
"I didn't lose him today. I lost him a long time ago. I just didn't know it."
Vanessa smiled.
"Then why are you crying?"
Olivia swallowed.
"Because I loved him."
For a brief moment, Vanessa had nothing to say.
But her silence didn't last.
"Love doesn't pay bills, Olivia. It doesn't create opportunities. It doesn't make someone successful."
Olivia looked at her.
"Is that what you believe?"
"Absolutely."
Olivia nodded slowly.
"Then I feel sorry for you."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"What did you say?"
"I said I feel sorry for you. If you think someone's value is measured by their money, you've already lost something important."
Daniel interrupted.
"Enough. Both of you."
Olivia turned toward him.
"Don't pretend you're trying to keep the peace. You created this situation."
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"I made a mistake."
"A mistake?"
Olivia laughed bitterly.
"How many lies does a person have to tell before it stops being a mistake?"
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Daniel doesn't owe you anything anymore."
Olivia looked at her.
"That's interesting. Because when he needed money to keep his business alive, he certainly remembered how to ask me for help."