Joy tugged on Eleanor''s sleeve, her voice low and curious. "Is thatn''s car?"


    Eleanor nced over her shoulder at the vehicle tailing them and recognized it immediately. She shook her head and said, "Ignore him."


    Joy took a few steps, then turned back with a teasing grin. "Looks like he''s ying your knight in shining armor!"<fn6863> Updates are released by find?novel</fn6863>


    She couldn''t help herself-her curiosity always got the better of her. "So, how''s the whole divorce thinging along?" Lately, Joy had been so swamped with cases she barely had time to breathe.


    Eleanor sighed. "Your mentor said he''s still talking to the tax office, and he''s reached out to appraisers and ountants. He keeps saying the process isplicated."


    Joy gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Well, ifn''s getting all the paperwork in order, it probably means he''s really willing to split everything fifty- fifty. That''s surprisingly generous of him."


    Eleanor''s lips twisted into a wry smile. "To me, it just feels like he''s stalling."


    "No need to stress about it," Joy replied, trying to sound upbeat. "You two are already living apart. Let my mentor handle it—he''ll make sure you get the best deal possible." Then she added, "And anyway, isn''t Vanessa pregnant now? The Goodwin family''s probably dying to wee her in as soon as possible."


    Eleanor nodded. "Yeah, I''m sure they''re in a hurry."


    Joy smirked. "Son might actually speed up the divorce, too. Otherwise, by the time it goes through, Vanessa''s belly will be impossible to hide."


    Early the next morning.


    Eleanor and Joy went shopping at a nearby mall. They wandered into the Hermès boutique, where Joy was on a mission.


    "This bag is finally in stock," Joy whispered, her eyes shining. She''d been obsessing over it for weeks.


    A sales associate approached, her tone professional but cool. "I''m sorry, miss, but this bag has already been reserved."


    "What? Reserved?" Joy''s face fell. "You''re just trying to make me buy more stuff, aren''t you?"


    "Our boutique has clear policies about purchase quotas," the saleswoman responded, her posture stiffening.


    Eleanor could tell how much Joy wanted the bag. She smiled and said, "It''s fine- we''ll take whatever is required to get it."


    The saleswoman shook her head, almost apologetic. "I really am sorry, but this bag has already been spoken for."


    Before Eleanor could reply, a woman''s voice rang out behind them. "Let them have it."


    Eleanor turned to see Vanessa standing there, her assistant in tow. Vanessa smiled, lips curved in a way that made it clear she relished the moment. "After all, Miss Sutton just gave me her husband. What''s a handbag between friends?"


    Joy bristled, not bothering to hide her contempt. "Have you no shame? Is stealing someone''s husband supposed to be something to brag about?"


    Vanessa''s smile didn''t waver. "Steal? I never take what isn''t mine. And I don''t need to."


    The sales associate, sensing the tension but eager to serve, turned to Vanessa with a bright smile. "Miss Shannon, shall I hold the bag for you, or...?"


    Joy snorted, grabbing Eleanor''s arm. "Even if she gives it up, we don''t want it. I''d rather go without than carry the same bag as her talk about bad luck."


    Vanessa''s expression cooled. "You might want to watch your tone, miss."


    Joy shot back, "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Vanessa. You''re not Mrs. Goodwin yet. As long as Eleanor''s still married, you''re just the woman in the shadows."


    Vanessa''sposure faltered, her smile now a thin, tight line. "Eleanor, you really should just get the divorce over with. You''re still young-why not move on?"


    Joy squeezed Eleanor''s arm in support. "Trust me, Eleanor''s not short on options. Guys line up halfway to Fairhaven for her."


    A few months ago, Vanessa would haveughed that off. But with Eleanor''s new status, she found it impossible.


    Joy started to lead Eleanor away, but Vanessa suddenly grabbed Eleanor''s arm, her voice low and urgent. "You know how muchn loves me. The sooner you let go, the better for all of us."


    Eleanor jerked her arm free, her eyes cold. "My life is none of your business."