Chapter 1187

During the procedure, the doctor said, "This will sting a bit. Try to bear with it."

As the first suture was removed, a sharp pain shot through her. Eleanor bit her lip hard and squeezed her eyes shut.

Instinctively, her free hand flailed, eventually gripping lan's arm beside her. The pain was too intense for her to think about finding something else to hold onto, and her fingernails dug into his flesh.

lan let her hold on, murmuring softly, "It'll be over soon. Just a little longer."

With each stitch the doctor carefully removed, beads of sweat formed on Eleanor's forehead. She clenched her jaw to keep from making a sound, channeling all the pain into her grip.

Finally, the last stitch was out. Eleanor let out a sharp breath and immediately released his arm, turning to look at the three angry, red lines on her own arm, like centipedes crawling across her skin.

They would leave scars, but Eleanor no longer cared.

Walking out of the examination room with a bag of medication, Eleanor said to lan, "You can go home now."

Valery came over to help her into the car. Ian followed her, and though Valery moved quickly to open the door, lan was faster. He pulled open the rear door and gestured for Eleanor to get in.

Eleanor had no need for his deliberate courtesy, but her injured arm made it awkward. As she bent to get in, a hand moved to shield her head from the doorframe.

Once the door was closed, Valery drove away from the hospital.

lan walked back to his Maybach, opened the rear door, and got in. A moment later, Gavin drove off as well.

lan looked down at his arm. Rolling up his sleeve, he saw several distinct nail marks etched into his skin.

But the sight of those marks brought a faint smile to his lips. At least she wasn't repulsed by his touch anymore.

Thinking of something, Gavin glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Goodwin, Miss Shannon's birthday is in three days. Do you still need to—"

"Ignore it," lan said coolly.

Gavin felt compelled to remind him, "But Mr. Goodwin, the contract clearly states-"

"I'll handle the contract," lan said, his gaze fixed on the marks on his arm. "It's time to end things completely."

Gavin understood. The boss was finally cutting all ties with Vanessa. He couldn't help but recall all the years his boss had been forced to deal with her. Now at last, he could be completely free.

"Mr. Goodwin, should I have the lawyers prepare the termination documents?" "Wait for her to come to me," lan said, his eyes as cold as ice.

Gavin knew Vanessa wouldn't let this go easily. He wondered what schemes she would cook up this time to get her gift.

For the past few days, Vanessa had been constantly messaging Gavin, all for the sake of getting his signature for that jade bracelet she coveted. Her greed was clearly etched into her very bones.

At the Walden Wells villa.

Vanessa was browsing for gifts on her iPad. She had given up on the jade bracelet and decided on a piece of diamond jewelry valued at just over five million, which was within the price range stipulated in her agreement.

As long as she could still ask, why not ask for more? lan had played her for a fool with the Yeaton Holdings stock. It was only fair that she get some compensation.

Besides, the lan of today was even more powerful, wealthier, and, as a result, more charming and alluring than before.

Vanessa closed her eyes. She truly regretted not crossing the line with him over the years. If she had used a few tricks, lan might not have been he hot have been able to resist. After all, he hadn't had another woman since the divorce. How could a man as young and virile as him not need a woman?