CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 366: TIME TO CLOSE THE NET

Audrey Sutton looked at Vanessa Sterling, then at Clarissa Morgan beside her.

She suddenly felt like a madam who tricks innocent girls into meeting wealthy bosses.

And that might very well be the truth.

Although Clarissa Morgan is Vanessa Sterling’s aunt, and they’re kind of relatives, Clarissa Morgan is a bad person and definitely won’t sincerely treat anyone well.

Audrey Sutton also understood what kind of person Nolan Hawke was. She feared Vanessa might become the next Barry Barrett, so her first thought was to stop it.

However, she didn’t want to confront Nolan Hawke directly. After thinking for a bit, she just took out her phone and sent Vanessa Sterling a message.

By the time Vanessa replied, Arthur Sutton had arrived. Audrey Sutton knew Shane Warner was quite familiar with her third brother and also knew Shane Warner was the center of attention at such events, it was impossible for him just to stay beside her watching her eat and drink—a fact he often found annoying because she could eat a lot.

So Audrey Sutton said to Shane Warner, "Go busy yourself with my third brother. I’ll find Vanessa to hang out."

Shane Warner: "Don’t wander off. If you’re hungry, get something to eat."

"Got it!"

Audrey Sutton walked to the restaurant area and arranged for Vanessa Sterling to come over too.

She grabbed two glasses of juice, two plates of grilled meat, and some small pastries. Shortly after, Vanessa Sterling walked over; Audrey Sutton glanced behind Vanessa, seeing that Clarissa Morgan hadn’t followed.

"Audrey." Seeing Audrey Sutton, Vanessa visibly relaxed.

Audrey Sutton looked at Vanessa Sterling and smiled, saying, "Quite a different style today; I almost didn’t recognize you at first glance."

Vanessa Sterling smiled shyly, sat down opposite Audrey Sutton, reached for the juice Audrey handed over, and took a sip through the straw.

Audrey Sutton asked, "Did you come with your aunt?"

Vanessa Sterling nodded: "Yes...she initially said a friend was getting married and asked me to be the bridesmaid. Only after arriving did I realize she wanted to set me up."

Audrey Sutton paused, thinking this Clarissa Morgan really had the audacity.

Vanessa and she had no grievances, yet she would introduce Vanessa to someone as scummy as Nolan Hawke.

It might be excusable if someone didn’t know Nolan Hawke’s true nature, but Clarissa Morgan certainly should.

Fearing Vanessa would tread the same path as Barry Barrett, Audrey told Vanessa all about previous incidents.

Vanessa Sterling replied, "He left a business card with me, but I don’t plan to contact him. Just couldn’t refuse in front of my aunt."

Audrey Sutton pursed her lips, saying, "Vanessa, I’m not trying to stir things up in your family, but your aunt is no pushover. Be wary of her. If she really cared for you, why would she introduce such a person to you?"

Vanessa Sterling nodded: "I also found it odd when she approached me. We don’t usually keep in touch; why suddenly ask me to be a bridesmaid? No idea what she’s plotting."

Audrey Sutton originally wanted to talk about Clarissa Morgan and Quentin Sterling’s affair but felt it wasn’t appropriate to say this to Vanessa, so she swallowed the words.

Great hall.

Clarissa Morgan and Lan Irving stood by the champagne tower, each holding a glass of red wine, speaking with smiles but discussing sinister intentions.

Clarissa Morgan: "Is the person you found reliable? How come everything still seems fine after so long?"

Lan Irving: "He’s a college mate of Sean Warner; just having that identity is enough. I think he’s already piqued Audrey Sutton’s curiosity."

Clarissa Morgan: "Time to wrap things up; this drag has gotten pointless."

Lan Irving sneered: "Do you think if they divorce, you’ll get to rise?"

Before Clarissa Morgan could respond, Lan Irving continued: "I understand Shane better than you do. He’s genuinely taken with Audrey Sutton. Even if they split, he wouldn’t necessarily fancy you."

Clarissa Morgan curled her lips into a smile: "Don’t define me by your own standards. I’m different from you—although you’ve been with Shane for years, you’re just a secretary in his eyes. Plus, you’re no longer part of Starfield. When I partnered with you, it was because you were Shane’s subordinate. Honestly, you’ve lost your utility now."

Lan Irving coldly chuckled: "I’m not doing this for you, just following my own wishes—don’t get confused. Moreover, Shane didn’t fancy the women from back then; I doubt his taste will deteriorate now. Good luck."

After speaking, Lan Irving turned away, having stopped harboring any hopes since leaving Starfield. But she couldn’t bear to watch them be happy.

Shane Warner didn’t regard the years she fought for Starfield; he’d torn relations with her for Audrey Sutton’s sake. Her heart had long since felt no attachment.

She wanted them to live as she did—in agony.

On the second floor of the villa, Shane Warner and Arthur Sutton sat inside a room on the sofa, chatting with some old-timers from the business world.

One wall of the room was completely made of glass, allowing a clear view of the corridor outside from inside.

Arthur Sutton happened to be facing this direction.

Adjacent to them were the card room and the entertainment room, and there was often movement in the corridor outside.

At that moment, a white silhouette appeared outside, catching Arthur’s eye inadvertently, causing his gaze to focus.

He hadn’t expected her to be here.

Walking beside her was a man in a gray-blue suit. Though they weren’t arm-in-arm, their talking and laughing made for a rather intimate scene.

Originally hearing about her being unmarried, he thought he had time to slowly approach her but overlooked the possibility she might already have someone.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Arthur Sutton suddenly recognized the man seemed familiar.

Peering at him a few more times, he remembered they’d actually met before.

At a previous charity auction, he’d bought a painting—the girl in the painting looked a lot like her.

Privately, he’d sought out the painting’s artist, seemingly named Wayne Archer.

It was indeed the man currently beside Janelle Tollman.

Meaning, the girl in the painting very likely was Janelle Tollman.

Making Wayne lie at the time.

As if by some devil’s bidding, Arthur Sutton stood up, softly said something to Shane Warner, and stepped outside.

Following closely behind Janelle Tollman, watching the two head toward the restroom.

The restroom was around a corner, and when Arthur Sutton arrived, Janelle was no longer in sight.

He headed for the men’s room, seeing Wayne Archer standing in the smoking area smoking.

The two men glanced at each other without offering greetings.

Wayne hadn’t finished his smoke, and Arthur exited after finishing up.

Upon stepping out, he saw Janelle at the sink washing her hands.

Arthur walked over, turned on the faucet beside her, and said, "Fancy seeing you here?"