Just then, Gavin knocked on the door and stepped inside. "Mr. Goodwin, it''s time for the meeting."


    Vanessa stiffened slightly asn strode out of the office.


    Gavin turned to her. "Miss Shannon, would you like to wait for Mr. Goodwin in the lounge?"


    "That''s all right, I need to head home," Vanessa replied, picking up her bag and leaving.


    Yeaton Manor.


    After listening to Vanessa, Rnd was still fuming. "It''s all that Eleanor''s fault. If she hadn''t meddled, would I be in this mess?"


    Vanessa felt a surge of resentment at the mention of Eleanor. She was sure Eleanor was deliberately targeting their family.


    "Dad, let''s just do asn says this time."


    When Rnd heardn had another project lined up for him, his expression softened. He turned to his eldest daughter. "I heardn''s divorced. Did he do it for you?"


    "Dad, maybe you don''t know yet-his wife is the same Eleanor who''s been making trouble for yourpany."


    "What? Eleanor wasn''s wife?" Rnd was taken aback.


    "Not wife. Ex-wife," Vanessa corrected him.


    Rnd couldn''t help butugh. “Son divorced Eleanor just to marry you?"


    Thinking thatn was still willing to help him, Rnd decided it must be because of his daughter.


    Vanessa didn''t confirm or deny it, but Rnd took it as a given. He got up, saying, "I''m going to have a word with that Jude Vaughn."


    Tuesday afternoon, Eleanor and Joel ran into Jude Vaughn in the cafeteria. Jude looked far less troubled than he had in recent days.


    No sooner had they sat down than Jude broke into a relieved grin. "Rnd''s finally out of the picture. The government''sunching a new round of bidding."


    "Rnd actually let go of the project?" Joel asked.


    Jude''s expression soured. "He only gave it up becausen offered him something else. He''s just off to make dirty money somewhere else. People like him should be cklisted, honestly."


    "Ian really does look out for him," Joel remarked.


    Jude huffed, “Only because of his daughter—” He caught himself, ncing at Eleanor, and swallowed the rest of his words.


    "Is it because of Vanessa?" Eleanor asked quietly.


    Jude saw she''d already guessed and nodded, resigned. "Rnd''s really got it easy, always finding a lifeline, no matter how badly he''s messed things up. Mr. Goodwin is helping the wrong man this time."


    "At least there''ll be a new bidding process." Eleanor tried to sound optimistic. "Competition''s the best way to guarantee quality."


    "True enough. Even some reputable international firms have called me about it."


    As the conversation wrapped up, Eleanor''s phone rang. She nced at the screen, hesitated for a moment, then answered. "Hello? Grandma Magdalen Goodwin."


    "Ellie, are you free tonight?" Magdalen''s familiar, gentle voice came through. "Grandma, is something the matter?"


    "I''ve just moved to your neighborhood, and I''m hosting a little housewarming dinner tonight. I''d love for you and Evelyn toe." Magdalenughed warmly.


    Eleanor thought of all the times Magdalen had cared for her-she couldn''t bring herself to refuse.


    "All right, I''ll bring Evelyn with me," she agreed.


    "Wonderful. See you tonight."


    After hanging up, Eleanor checked the date. Neen days had already passed; just eleven more, and the divorce would finally be official.