Chapter 11 Heart-Wrenching Pain

• Vanessa stood there in a daze. After driving Hadden away yesterday, Anya had cried nonstop, asking for him.
• Vanessa had regretted it a little, afraid that Anya's long-awaited reunion with her father would end just as quickly. But now, when she was about to face everything alone, Hadden had shown up.
• The way Hadden acted—so forceful and confident—touched something soft inside her. Her heart trembled deeply.
• "Who are you? How dare you barge into the Smiths's conference room! Security! Get him out of here!"
• Bennett didn't recognize Hadden at first. After all, Hadden hadn't been around the Smiths much before, and five years had passed since then. How could they remember him right away?
• "Grandpa, he's Hadden—the loser who married Vanessa five years ago and then vanished into thin air."
• George had already heard rumors that Hadden was back and immediately recognized him, casting a playful glance at Vanessa.
• Bennett's eyes narrowed as he finally remembered who Hadden was. He scanned him from head to toe. Aside from a slight change in his demeanor, nothing else seemed different—he still looked poor and unremarkable.
• Vanessa, though she longed for someone to share her burdens, knew that Hadden's sudden appearance would only make things worse. Her face filled with anger. "Who told you to come?"
• Hadden wasn't surprised by Vanessa's hostility. If she accepted him right away, her approval would be far too cheap, wouldn't it?
• Bennett raised a hand, stopping Vanessa from speaking further. His sharp eyes stayed locked on Hadden. "So, it's you—the worthless piece of trash. You're the one who ruined the Smiths's reputation. If it weren't for you, we'd already be one of Jerton's top families. And now you've got the nerve to show your face here?"
• A flash of coldness passed through Hadden's eyes as he let out a mocking laugh. "I ruined the Smiths's reputation? You, as the head of the Smiths, don't know the real truth?"
• Marc had thoroughly investigated the events of five years ago. It had all been a show—something the Smiths orchestrated themselves just to get their hands on Trinity Group.
• If it weren't for Vanessa, the Smiths would've been wiped out last night.
• "What nonsense are you spouting?"
• Bennett's face twisted with rage. He slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, eyes blazing with fury.
• His anger sent him into a sudden fit of coughing, his body swaying as if he might collapse.
• "Grandpa!"
• Vanessa rushed over to help, but George was already at Bennett's side, supporting him.
• "Get lost!" George snapped angrily.
• "You still have the nerve to call him Grandpa? Did you bring this useless husband here just to upset him?"
• "If anything happens to Mr. Smith, we won't let you off the hook."
• "Five years ago, the disgusting things you two did shame the Smiths. Are you trying to push Mr. Smith over the edge five years later? Do you want to destroy the Smiths for good?"
• "If you ask me, your family is nothing but a curse. You should've been kicked out of the Smiths ages ago and banned from ever setting foot here again."
• ...
• Vanessa had sacrificed so much for the family, even giving up Trinity Group, the company that rightfully belonged to her, as it was absorbed into the Smiths's collective assets. And yet, here she was, betrayed and abandoned by everyone.
• Seeing Vanessa's body trembling as if it might collapse at any moment, Hadden felt a deep, indescribable pain in his heart.
• Bennett's anger gradually subsided. He looked at Vanessa and said, "Vana, the decline of the Smiths started with you. Now that Wildden Group has set up a branch in Jerton, securing their partnership is the only way for us to rise to the top. The only hope we have is to form a marriage alliance with the Conners. Either you marry Bill Conner, or you find a way to secure the Wildden Group deal. Otherwise, your entire family can prepare to be kicked out."
• Vanessa's face went pale at Bennett's words.
• Even the top families in Jerton struggled to secure a deal with Wildden Group. How could she possibly do it?
• "Grandpa, I ... "
• Vanessa was about to refuse, but Hadden, standing beside her, suddenly interrupted, "We'll take on this task!"
• "Perfect!"
• George immediately rejoiced, his face full of mockery. "Vana, don't say the family is bullying you—your husband accepted the task himself. It's too late to back out now!"
• "This is clearly an impossible task, and yet he dared to agree to it. He really is the useless idiot people say he is," some of the family members muttered quietly.
• One company was a top-tier business under Orkburg's elite families, while the other was a second-rate business from Jerton. With such a massive gap, how could Wildden Group ever agree to work with Trinity Group?
• "Alright, that's enough for today's meeting," Bennett said as he stood up, ready to leave.
• His gaze shifted back to Vanessa. "Three days. I'm giving you three days. If you can't complete the task, then you'll leave the Smiths on your own."
• Bennett turned and walked out, while everyone else stared at Vanessa with smug, satisfied looks.
• "Ha! Vanessa, what do you have to fight me with? I'm the true blood of the Smiths. In Grandpa's eyes, I'm the future of this family. Three days from now, I'll be laughing as you and your family are kicked out!" George sneered.
• "Exactly! The daughter of some illegitimate child thinks she can compete with George? She's just delusional."
• "George, I've always supported you. Once you take over as chairman, don't forget about me!"
• "Yeah, George, we're all behind you!"
• ...
• Soon, George, surrounded by his supporters, left the conference room, leaving only Hadden and Vanessa behind.
• With a sharp "slap," Vanessa hit Hadden across the face.
• When Hadden saw her face streaked with tears, all the anger he'd felt vanished.
• "Vana, I … " Hadden started to speak, but Vanessa cut him off.
• "I admit it—what happened five years ago wasn't entirely your fault. You were a victim, too. But you took the 500 thousand dollars my father gave you. Consider that your compensation. If you didn't want to marry me, why didn't you just say so? You disappeared for five years right after we got married. Do you have any idea what I've been through? I'm already in this mess, so why are you still trying to hurt me? Tell me, why?"
• Tears rolled down Vanessa's face like pearls, shattering as they hit the floor.
• Hadden's heart twisted with pain. He stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders tightly. "I swear, I didn't take your father's money, and I never wanted to hurt you. I came back this time to make things right for you and Anya. Please believe me—I'd never do anything to harm you."
• "Shut up! You don't deserve to mention my daughter!"
• Vanessa shoved him away, her face wet with tears. "If you're not here for revenge, then why did you accept that task at the family meeting? An impossible task!"