Chapter 447: Vanessa Did Nothing to Stop Philip

Vanessa did nothing to stop Philip as she wept softly into her hands. Her sobs were perfectly timed, delicate and heart-wrenching. She had secretly installed a blocking application on both Philip and Helena's phones. The program automatically rejected all calls from Sienna Bennett. Just as she predicted, Philip heard the automated message.

"The number you have dialed is not in service."

She blocked him! Vanessa cried harder, her voice trembling with manufactured pain. "Dad, Mom, please stop calling her... She told me she resents you both for loving me more. She'll never come back. I'm not saying this to gain sympathy—I just want you to accept me. Everything I did... I was forced into it. I wouldn't be like this if Sienna hadn't destroyed me first. I can't even stand myself anymore..." Her delicate features contorted in genuine-looking agony.

Helena moved to sit beside her, taking her hand gently. "Vanessa, why did you hide this from us? We could have protected you! We could have watched her more closely!"

"I thought if I tried harder, she would eventually accept me!" Vanessa's voice broke. "I believed that even if she hated me, she wouldn't sabotage our family's reputation... But I was wrong... I never imagined..."

"Don't worry, Vanessa," Helena said firmly, turning to Henry. "Father, you need to speak with Sienna. We must confront her about this. Yes, we favored Vanessa, but that was our choice. If she plotted against our family because of jealousy, she must be held accountable! She must face consequences!"

"Exactly!" Penelope chimed in angrily. "She can't just tear this family apart because she's jealous! She's adopted! And yet she holds twenty-five percent of the company shares! How dare she act this way!"

Gregory shook his head with a dramatic sigh. "What a waste, what a shame. If it weren't for Sienna, Vanessa would still be the top supermodel. She used to give us lavish gifts every month! Now we have nothing! It's disgraceful!"

"Our family is a laughingstock now," he continued. "We're humiliated everywhere we go. An adopted daughter like her never should have been allowed into this family!"

The room erupted in agreement, each voice layering on another complaint. Philip's expression was cold, his voice cutting through the noise. "We need to reclaim her shares. Immediately. It doesn't matter who holds them—you or Father. They cannot remain in her hands." Henry remained silent, his face stern, brows deeply furrowed. He didn't fully believe Vanessa's story. But she had encouraged them to call Sienna, seemingly without fear. And she was desperately trying to win back their favor. It didn't seem like she was lying. Had Sienna truly done all this?

Had she sought revenge without any regard for the family's honor? It appeared he would have to speak with her directly.

"Let's eat," Henry finally said, rising slowly. "I will handle this."

He leaned heavily on his walker as he left the dining room. Vanessa watched him go, a spark of triumph in her eyes. She might be leaving soon, but she would make sure Sienna's return was hell. She would ensure Sienna was despised by everyone. Once Henry returned to his study, he took out his phone and dialed Sienna's number. The same automated message greeted him.

"The number you have dialed is not in service."

His expression darkened. Was she really with another man? Was that why she refused to come home? Who was he? Lucas Harrington? Henry recalled how Lucas had publicly supported Sienna. But would the prestigious Harrington family ever accept someone like her? Impossible! His lawyer approached quietly. "Mr. Bennett, do you still wish to transfer all your assets to Sienna?" Henry had made that decision days ago. Vanessa had taken his shares. Caleb was useless. He feared all his property would eventually fall into Vanessa's hands. He worried Sienna would be bullied and left with nothing.

He wanted her to have something to rely on. Something that would ensure her security and independence.