Inside the elevator, Serena clung to her mother''s arm. "Mom, do you know something you''re not telling me?"


    Gina gave her a sidelong look. "Serena, don''t bring this up in front of Eleanor again. What''s done is done-we have to ept it." As they stepped into the lobby, Gina opened the car door and slid into the back seat.


    Serena watched her mother''s car pull away, a cold smile curling on her lips. "Eleanor, did you really think the Goodwin family would be that easy to push around?"


    She checked the time. If she wanted to find out where Eleanor was, there was someone who could help-Faye, who worked closely with Eleanor and had recently added Serena on social media.


    Serena shot Faye a message. The response came quickly:


    "Eleanor''s in a meeting at Meridian Dynamics. You can find her there."


    Conference room, Meridian Dynamics.


    Eleanor sat at the head of the table, deep in discussion. A knock sounded at the door, and before anyone could answer, Serena strode in, her voice ringing out like amand: "Eleanor. I need a word. Now."


    Eleanor lifted her gaze, seeing the hostility written all over Serena''s face. She turned to Byron. "Mr. Chase, excuse me for a moment."


    As soon as Eleanor stepped into the hallway, Joel-her assistant-rose and followed.


    Serena stood waiting, eyes shing with anger. "Eleanor, what the hell did you do to my brother? What kind of spell did you put on him? Why would he hand over eightpanies to you?"


    Eleanor had guessed this wasing. "If you have anyints about the divorce settlement, you''re wee to speak to mywyer. I''ll have them handle it." Her tone was icy.


    From the day she''d married into the Goodwin family, Serena had never once treated her with respect. This kind of confrontation wasn''t exactly a surprise.


    Serena scoffed. "Awyer? Please. The Goodwins havewyers on retainer, and if we want to make trouble for you, we will. You don''t even have your divorce decree yet, and you think you can challenge us?”


    "If that''s all you have to say, then please stop wasting my time." Eleanor turned to leave.


    Serena reached out, aiming to grab her arm, but Joel stepped smoothly between them, voice firm but polite. "Miss Goodwin, I''m going to have to ask you to leave."


    Serena sneered, chin lifted in haughty disdain. "Joel, is it? I know who you are. But this is Goodwin family business, and frankly, it''s none of your concern. Step aside."


    Hearing that, Eleanor turned, fixing Serena with a steady look. She gently touched Joel''s arm. "Joel, don''t stoop to her level."


    Serena let out an icyugh. "Eleanor, from the day you married my brother, he never loved you. The only woman he ever cared about was Vanessa. Only someone like Vanessa is good enough for him."


    "I''ve already stepped aside for her. What more do you want?" Eleanor''s voice was t, unwavering.


    Serena faltered, then pressed on with a mocking edge. "Don''t you think it''s pathetic? You spent years loving my brother, and yet he never made room for you in his heart."


    Eleanor didn''t flinch. "You''re right. It is pathetic-six years wasted on someone who never truly mattered. But at least I''ve got the rest of my life ahead of me. I can finally live for myself."


    Down the hall, near the reception desk,n approached. The heated voices echoing from around the corner made him pause mid-step-just in time to hear Eleanor''s words.


    Serena''s voice dripped with scorn. "If my brother meant nothing to you, then why did you shamelessly throw yourself at him all those years ago? The Goodwin family didn''t pay you to be his nursemaid. You enjoyed six years offort at his side, and now you y the victim? What a hypocrite you are, Eleanor."