Meanwhile, Eleanor nced at her watch as well. Clearly, it was time for her to head home-she had a child waiting for her, and she never stayed outte.


    When Mrs. Ellington overheard that Eleanor had a child, she froze for a moment, then turned to her. "Miss Sutton... are you married?"


    She''d only ever paid attention to Eleanor''s achievements in medicine and had never considered her family situation.


    "Mrs. Ellington, Eleanor''s divorced," Joy interjected quickly, worried her best friend might miss out on a good match.


    Mrs. Ellington was surprised yet again. How could anyone let someone as remarkable as Eleanor slip away?


    "Well, then," she said after a pause, "I''ll send your contact information to my nephew. Next time he''s in town, he can take you out for dinner." She gave Eleanor a meaningful look, as though she already had ns in mind.


    Truth be told, Mrs. Ellington admired Eleanor''s talent—and her nephew was certainly worthy of someone like her.


    After Eleanor and Joy said their goodbyes, Vanessa came over with her bag to say farewell as well. Mrs. Ellington thanked her politely before turning to greet someone else.


    Vanessa, meanwhile, was textingn as she followed after Eleanor and Joy.n, I twisted my ankle. Could you pull the car up to the front entrance for me? Sure, came his prompt reply.


    Eleanor and Joy had just stepped into the elevator when Vanessa slipped in behind them, and the conversation between the two friends trailed off.


    "Ellie, I have to say, your reputation precedes you," Joy announced, her tone deliberate and just loud enough for Vanessa to hear. "I''m proud to call you my friend."


    Vanessa smirked dismissively. Did Joy really intend to y second fiddle to Eleanor forever? Even sisters struggled with envy-how could a mere friend ept it so easily? She remembered how Joy once mocked her as nothing more than an actress. Turning, Vanessa shot her a frosty remark: "If you''re nning to stay by Eleanor''s side, Ms. Thatcher, you''d better get used to living in her shadow."


    Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Vanessa arched an eyebrow and strode out ahead.


    Joy red at her retreating back and muttered, "Trying toe between us? Not a chance."


    As Eleanor and Joy reached the center of the lobby, they spotted a sleek ck Maybach waiting at the entrance, its paintwork shimmering under the lights. The driver''s window rolled down, and a man''s long, elegant fingers rested casually on the steering wheel. The interior lights cast his striking profile in sharp relief-he looked effortlessly handsome, almost maic.


    A presence like that could easily sweep any woman off her feet.


    Vanessa slipped into the passenger seat, ncing back at Eleanor with a satisfied smile before closing the door.


    Joy clenched her jaw in frustration. "So that''s why she came down with us just to getn to y chauffeur. She really knows how to get under my skin."


    Eleanor just gave a faint smile. "Let''s not let it bother us."


    But Joy''s mood shifted, and she suddenly turned to Eleanor, eyes bright. "Hey, don''t forget someone fell for you at first sight tonight! You''ll have no trouble finding someone better thann."


    Eleanor shook her head, still smiling. "You''re reading too much into it."


    "Oh, please," Joy teased. "Everyone saw it-Mr. Ellington was totally interested in you."


    Eleanorughed. "Maybe I just remind him of someone else."


    "Yeah, his future wife!" Joy shot back, grinning mischievously.


    Eleanor felt her cheeks flush. "Alright, let''s go."


    Joy, ever the analyst, added, "If you end up calling Mrs. Ellington ''Aunt,'' then her brother must be the Secretary of State, right? Ellie, you should give this a chance. Imagine if you married Mr. Ellingtonn would be kicking himself for years!"


    Before Eleanor could reply, her phone chimed. She nced at the screen. A new message hade in.