The next morning.


    When Joslyn came back from grocery shopping, she told Eleanor there were several cars parked outside, blocking the whole street.


    Eleanor guessed it was a swarm of reporters, tipped off and now camping out to catch her. She decided to keep her daughter home for the day. Around ten, Simone called apparently, the school had received a flood ofints and asked Eleanor toe in.


    Eleanor asked Joslyn to look after her daughter while she headed to the research building.


    She had barely stepped into the parking lot when a group of sharp-eyed reporters rushed at her, cameras shing.


    "Dr. Sutton, do you have anyment on the allegations circting online?"


    "Was your divorce from Mr. Goodwin premeditated?"


    "There are rumors questioning the integrity of your research-what do you have to say to that?"


    "Can you provide evidence to support your previous study, which some are now doubting?"


    The shes were blinding; Eleanor shielded her face, unable to move forward.


    Just then, a ck sedan screeched to a halt at her side. The back door swung open and a long, elegant hand reached out. "Get in!"


    Eleanor looked up, meetingn''s cool, steely gaze.


    Without hesitation, she dove into the car. A reporter gasped, "That''sn in the car..."


    Gavin hit the gas, leaving the reporters behind.


    Silence fell inside the car.


    Eleanor smoothed her hair and turned away, murmuring, "Thank you."


    Eleanor said nothing, already turning over possibilities in her mind about who might be behind it.


    After a moment,n spoke again. "I''ll issue a statement."


    She looked up. "What kind of statement?"


    "I''ll rify that it was my decision to initiate the division of assets. You had nothing to do with it."


    Eleanor was taken aback. If he did that, it would certainly help her.


    But she refused his help. "It''s not necessary. I''ll handle it myself." Then she turned


    to the front. "Gavin, please pull over and let me out."


    "Where are you headed? I''ll take you," Ian offered.


    Eleanor ignored him. "Gavin, please stop the car."


    Gavin pulled over. As Eleanor opened the door to leave,n''s voice was low and steady. "Eleanor, don''t be stubborn. If you need help, just say so."


    She shot him a look. "I''m not as fragile as you think."


    With that, she stepped out, pulled a face mask from her bag, and gged down a cab.


    Once inside, she immediately messaged Joy and Frazier, starting a private group chat.


    Frazier was the first to respond, ever calm and collected. "This whole thing is escting fast. Someone is definitely fanning the mes. Right now, the priority is to stabilize the situation and protect your reputation."


    Joy chimed in. "I''ve got people looking into the source of the leaks, but it''ll be tough to pinpoint anything right away."


    Eleanor replied with a coldugh, "If she''s so determined to ruin my name, all the more reason not to let her win."


    Joy suggested, "Should we start by sending a legal warning?"


    Frazier cautioned, "Let''s not act rashly. Awyer''s letter might just be a temporary fix, or worse, backfire and stir things up more."


    "Don''t rush to respond publicly yet," Eleanor decided. "Let me meet someone first."


    By then, she''d arrived at the research building. Both Simone and Dr. Lyman were waiting, watching her with a mix of concern and helplessness. They knew her worth-but, bound by their own positions, there was little they could say on her behalf.