Chapter 130
"You're kidding, Vanessa! Don't tell me you've already met this elusive CEO?"
"Darling, if you have, you've been keeping secrets!"
"Spill it now - what does this mysterious billionaire look like? Is he gorgeous?"
Vanessa studied their excited faces, her ego inflating like a balloon. Though she'd never laid eyes on the man, her imagination had already painted him as Adonis incarnate.
A man with that kind of power and influence simply couldn't be unattractive.
With shameless confidence, she declared, "I might as well confess. We've actually known each other for years!"
The group erupted in gasps.
"Vanessa, you absolute legend!"
"The Sterling heiress always gets exclusive access. I bet you're the only woman in all of New York who's seen his face!"
"Exactly! Tell us everything - what's he really like?"
Drunk on their admiration, Vanessa spun her web of lies without hesitation.
"He's devastatingly handsome, of course. Just extremely private - hates the spotlight. That's why there are so many rumors."
"But we're quite close. I'll introduce you when he arrives."
From her seat behind them, Evelyn Carter choked back laughter.
The sound drew immediate attention. Vanessa's eyes flashed with rage when she recognized her former sister-in-law. That mocking chuckle could only mean one thing.
"Vanessa, isn't that your ex-husband's little secretary? How rude!"
"I heard she's some Kingsley heiress now, but eavesdropping? Classless."
Vanessa sneered. "Something amusing you, Evelyn?"
Evelyn met her glare with amusement dancing in her eyes. "Forgive me. It was just too ridiculous not to laugh."
She addressed the women flanking Vanessa. "I wasn't eavesdropping. Your voices carry."
"How dare you! You're just jealous Vanessa knows the Horizon Technologies CEO - a man far beyond your reach."
Evelyn arched an eyebrow at Vanessa. "Is that so?"
Trapped by her own boast, Vanessa doubled down. "Of course it's true! Do I look like I joke about these things? We're very close."
Evelyn nodded slowly, then delivered the killing blow. "If you're so intimate, surely you can tell us his last name?"
Vanessa's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
She knew nothing about Horizon's CEO. How could she possibly name him?
Still, she blustered, "Why should I tell you?" The tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Evelyn pounced. "If you're truly 'close,' his surname would be common knowledge between you."
"I know it! I just choose not to tell you! I see what you're doing, Evelyn."
"You're trying to latch onto his coattails!"
"Dream on! A man like that wouldn't spare you a second glance!"