Serena Goodwin shrank back, intimidated by Xavier''s presence, but resentment burned in her eyes as she blurted out, "Eleanor Sutton just divorced my brother and now she''s throwing herself at you. A woman like her-flighty and untrustworthy-doesn''t deserve your affection."


    Xavier Vaughn''s gaze stayed steady as he looked at Serena. "Between Eleanor and me, it''s simple. I''m the pursuer, and she''s the one being pursued."


    Serena stared at him in disbelief, taking a shaky step back as tears blurred her vision. Without another word, she spun around and rushed out of the office.


    In the hallway, a few colleagues nced up in surprise as Serena stumbled past them, but no one dared to stop her or ask questions.


    She burst into the restroom and caught sight of herself in the mirror-her carefully styled hair was a mess, and her mascara had run from crying, making her look like a tragic clown.


    Ten minutester, a termination letter was printed by HR. Serena was fired.


    Clutching a box of her belongings, she walked out of the research building. A cold wind whipped around her, but she barely felt it. Her heart had already frozen over.


    And all of it, she told herself, was because of Eleanor.


    Suddenly, her phone rang.


    She nced at the caller ID. Vanessa Shannon.


    "Hello..." Serena answered, her voice hoarse.


    “Serena? What happened?" Vanessa immediately picked up on the distress in her voice.


    "Vanessa..." Serena''s tears spilled over again. "I got fired... Xavier fired me..." "How could you get fired?"


    Serena recounted what had just happened, her words tumbling out. Vanessa tried to soothe her. "Don''t cry. Xavier''s only infatuated with Eleanor for the moment. You''ll get another chance."


    "You don''t know how much Xavier sticks up for her. And my brother-he always protects her too," Serena choked out.


    "Serena, your brother''s not protecting her. He''s using her talent to make money for himself. Eleanor really is gifted when ites to medicine," Vanessa replied calmly.


    Serena, still recovering from her outburst, blinked. "Really?"


    "Think about it-Xavier''s made his intentions pretty clear with Eleanor. If your brother truly cared, he would''ve reacted by now."


    Serena thought back. Xavier''stest post had been public, everyone saw it— including her brother. He had to know Xavier was pursuing Eleanor, yet he stayed silent. If he cared at all, he wouldn''t be so indifferent.


    Just like he said himself: he and Eleanor were divorced, their ties severed. He didn''t care who she dated. Clearly, he wanted nothing more to do with his ex- wife''s life.


    Serena dabbed at her tears with a tissue. "But what about Xavier? Do you think he''ll really go after Eleanor?"


    "Don''t worry. Xavier''s parents will never approve. The Vaughn family would never ept a divorced woman into their home," Vanessa reassured her.


    Serena''s eyes brightened. "You''re right, Vanessa. Even my mom never liked her. The Vaughns will look down on her for sure."


    "Cheer up. Let''s go to the Friday night g together-blow off some steam!" Vanessa suggested.


    Serena took a deep breath. "Alright."


    "Keep your head up. Xavier''s bound to notice you sooner orter.”


    Hope flickered in Serena''s heart. Now that she''d confessed her feelings to Xavier,


    maybe he really would start paying attention to her.


    If only she could be just as exceptional.


    But when she thought of Eleanor, a heaviness settled in her chest. She could neverpete with Eleanor on her turf.


    What Xavier admired was Eleanor''s talent in medicine-just that. If Eleanor ever slipped up, surely his interest would fade.


    ***


    When Eleanor got off work, she received a call from Ellington, reminding her


    about Mr. Brown''s dinner party on Friday.


    Eleanor frowned. "Do I really have to go?"


    "Ms. Sutton, I strongly advise you to make an appearance. Mr. Brown oversees


    the regtory board-he''s not someone you want to offend."