Eleanor stepped out into the hotel lobby before answering Joy''s call. "Hey, Joy."


    "I''ve drafted the contract for you," Joy said briskly. "Check your inbox when you get a chance and let me know if anything needs tweaking."


    "Will do. Thanks for handling it."


    "Don''t mention it! Helping you escape the misery of marriage is the least I can do as your friend."<fnf91f> Original content can be found at find·novel</fnf91f>


    Eleanor couldn''t help but smile. Just then, another call came through. She nced at the screen-Joel. "Joy, I''ve got another calling in. See you tomorrow."


    "Go handle it!" Joy hung up.


    Eleanor answered Joel''s call. "Hey, Joel."


    "The files you need are in the bottom drawer of my office," Joel replied, concern in his voice. "Why are you still at work?"


    "I''m nning to go over the evidence chain again tonight. Court''s tomorrow-I want to be ready."


    Eleanor softened. "Just don''t stay toote, okay? Try to get some rest."


    "Will do. Thanks, Eleanor," Joel said gratefully.


    She ended the call, turning around with her phone still in hand-and nearly collided with someone standing behind her.


    Before she could even see who it was, she blurted out, "Sorry-!"


    When her eyes met his, her expression immediately cooled.


    "Worried about Joel, are you?"n''s tone was just as chilly.


    Eleanor realized he must have overheard her conversation with Joel. "Just being


    a considerate coworker. Is that a problem?" she shot back.


    "You''re a married woman. You''d do well to avoid giving people the wrong idea,"n replied, his voice low with a hint of warning.


    Eleanor didn''t even have the energy to argue. In her mind,n had forfeited the right to warn her about anything.


    At that moment, the doors swung open and Serena entered, arm linked with Vanessa''s. "Hey,n!"


    Eleanor nced over and caught sight of Vanessa. Her expression darkened instantly. Was Serena really bringing Vanessa to dinner?


    "Serena, tonight''s your sister-inw''s celebration dinner. I told you, I shouldn''t be here," Vanessa said, slipping her arm out of Serena''s grasp. "Go on inside. Don''t keep your grandmother and mom waiting on an empty stomach."


    Serena quickly took Vanessa''s arm again. "Vanessa, you''re already here and you haven''t had dinner either. It''s not like you''re a stranger—my sister-inw won''t mind, right?" She looked over at Eleanor. "Right, Eleanor? You''re not that petty."


    Eleanor shot Serena a look and strode off without a word.


    Watching Eleanor''s retreating figure, Serena turned ton. "Don''t tell me you''re going to kick Vanessa out too!"


    "Serena, don''t put your brother in a tough spot," Vanessa said softly. She''d never intended to crash Eleanor''s dinner, but Serena insisted, and she didn''t want to lose her as a friend-so here she was.


    "Forget it, let''s just go," Serena huffed.


    "Serena,e with me,"n said, stopping her.


    Serena hesitated, ncing back at her brother''s stern face. Her bravado faded- after all, she was still the little sister who needed her big brother''s help with her allowance.


    "What about Vanessa?" Serena asked.


    "Don''t worry about me," Vanessa reassured her, patting her arm gently. "Go on. Don''t keep your grandmother and mom waiting."


    Serena puffed out her cheeks in protest, but finally turned and trudged off toward the private dining room.


    Vanessa took a step closer ton. "Don''t me Serena. She''s just having a rough day."


    Eleanor, meanwhile, hadn''t returned to the private room, but slipped into the restroom. As she passed a decorative screen, she caught sight ofn and Vanessa alone in the lobby.