Vanessa just smiled, saying nothing.


    "Does my brother know?" Serena asked.


    "He does."


    "Unbelievable. She really thinks she''s some kind of genius, always stirring up trouble for him," Serena muttered, her tone sharp with annoyance.<fn547e> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fn547e>


    The next morning.


    Eleanor finished her assessment test at home and submitted it to Jude Vaughn before ten. Jude would send it to the medical school faculty for review; only then would they decide if she could sit for graduation exams.


    She sent a message to Joy''s mentor. "Attorney Shannon, have you returned to the country yet?"


    "Sorry, I''ll need another two days."


    "All right. Please let me know when you''re back. I''d like to meet with you," Eleanor replied.


    "Of course, Miss Sutton."


    Letting out a soft breath, Eleanor picked up her book and continued reading.


    Just then, Joel texted: "We won the Marlowe Vige case. The chemical nt''s been ordered to suspend operations and clean up. The vigers got theirpensation you''re the hero of the hour."


    Eleanor smiled, lips pressed together. "Great job, Joel. Thank you for your hard work."


    "We''ll talk more soon."


    "All right. Drive safe," she replied.


    A momentter, Jude Vaughn called. She needed to be at Ashford Medical University by two to fill out some paperwork before her exam. She had to be there


    in person.


    Eleanor drove toward Ashford Medical, arriving in the parking lot half an hourter. She made her way to the registrar''s office toplete the forms. Jude joined her, and they chatted for a while.


    By the time Eleanor nced at her watch, it was already three-time to head home.


    On the way back, Eleanor drove carefully in herne, mind on the road, when suddenly a ck SUV swerved aggressively toward her car. Heart pounding, she jerked the wheel to avoid it. The SUV didn''t let up, cutting her off three more times. It only sped off when a police car appeared behind them.


    Shaken but trying to steady herself, Eleanor drove home. Once safely inside, she texted Xavier and asked if he could pick up her daughter.


    He agreed, and Eleanor also let the teacher know.


    On the way home, her mind kept reying the incident. At first, she couldn''t fathom why someone would target her, but slowly, realization dawned.


    It had to be a warning—a retaliation from the chemical nt. If the police hadn''t shown up at just the right moment, things could have gotten much worse.


    After all, the nt''s forced shutdown had hit them hard, and she was the one who''d made it happen.


    Within minutes, Eleanor called Joel to warn him to be careful driving from now on. Joel was furious when he heard what happened. "Those bastards! If they''ve got a problem, they shoulde after me, not you."


    Eleanor tried to reassure him. "I''m all right. Nothing happened, thankfully."


    "Does your husband know about this? About what they did to you?" Joel pressed. Eleanor''s expression cooled. "I don''t want to tell him. This is my business."


    They spoke a little longer, then hung up. By then, Joslyn had arrived at the door with Evelyn.


    Xavier noticed Eleanor hadn''te out to greet them, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his face.


    "Goodbye, Mr. Vaughn!" Evelyn waved happily.


    "Goodbye," Xavier replied with a smile, then drove away.


    Eleanor sat on the couch as her daughter ran into her arms. She hugged Evelyn tightly and kissed the top of her head.


    Meanwhile, Joel was leaning back on his office sofa, eyes closed, trying to clear


    his mind. Atst, he picked up his phone and dialedn''s number.


    "Hello?" camen''s familiar, cool voice.


    "Mr. Goodwin, sorry to bother you," Joel said politely.


    "It''s fine, Dr. Kingsley. What can I do for you?"