Eleanor lifted her gaze, not bothering to hide her disdain. "Your attempts to stir up trouble don''t work on me."


    Vanessa let out a derisiveugh. "Eleanor, why are you pretending to be so above it all? Do you honestly think you''re something special?"


    Eleanor didn''t even dignify her with a response.


    Vanessa''s smile faltered as she pressed on. "Don''t tell me you still think you cane betweenn and me!"


    She curled her lips in a sneer. "Whatever you imagine, you''re just the ex-wife. Ian and I-what we have now is beyond your reach."


    Eleanor refused to take the bait. She simply brushed past Vanessa, making for the exit.


    But Vanessa shot out an arm, blocking her way. Her tone sharpened. "Listen, Eleanor, people like you aren''t wee in our circle. If you''re smart, you''ll keep your distance."


    Eleanor drew in a steadying breath, her reply icy. "Vanessa, if you keep causing scenes, I won''t hesitate to show everyone who you really are."


    Vanessa''s face darkened. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    "Exactly what it sounds like." Eleanor''s voice was calm, almost bored.


    Vanessa bit her lip, chin tilted defiantly. "Whatever you''ve got nned, Eleanor, bring it on. I''m not afraid of you."


    With that, she whirled around and marched off, her head held high.


    Eleanor returned to the ballroom. Juliette was chatting with a lively group nearby and beckoned her over, eager to introduce Eleanor to a circle of wealthy socialites. Among these women, Eleanor''s reputation was practically legendary.


    "Miss Sutton, I heard your expertise in medicine is about to surpass your father''s! That''s truly impressive."


    Eleanor offered a modest smile. "You tter me. My father''s achievements in the field are far beyond what I''ve aplished."


    One of the women patted her shoulder affectionately. "It''s good to be humble at your age, but you should take pride in your talents too."


    Another chimed in, “My husband was just talking the other day about yourtest paper-said even the international experts were raving about it!”


    The conversation swelled with warm agreement, the atmosphere buzzing with easy camaraderie.


    Before long, the host announced the start of the evening''s dance.


    Soft music drifted through the air as guests began to pair off and make their way to the dance floor.


    Eleanor considered slipping away to a quiet corner to rest, but just then, a deep voice spoke softly behind her.


    "Miss Sutton, would you do me the honor of this dance?"


    She turned and found herself looking into a pair of striking, dark eyes.


    Xavier had crossed the room to reach her first.


    Caught off guard, Eleanor offered an apologetic smile. "Mr. Vaughn, I''m afraid I''m not much of a dancer."


    A few steps away, Vanessa was clinging ton''s arm, her voice syrupy. "Ian, let''s go dance, shall we?"


    Eleanor hesitated, but as Xavier extended his hand, she set hers lightly in his. "The pleasure is mine."


    Xavier guided her onto the dance floor with impable grace.


    He didn''t turn Vanessa down; instead, he led her into the swirling crowd.


    The lights were dim, casting a romantic glow over the ballroom. Gentle music floated around them, and Eleanor found herself rxing into the rhythm of the dance, moving in perfect step with Xavier.


    Across the floor,n found his gaze drawn to them. Eleanor tilted her head, listening to whatever Xavier was saying, a faint smile curving her lips.


    He''d never imagined he would see Eleanor dancing with another man.


    As the lights shifted, their glow yed across Eleanor''s delicate profile. For a moment, Xavier seemed so captivated, he nearly missed a step.


    Soon, Vanessa andn''s dance came to an end. Henry approached to ask Vanessa for the next dance, whilen slipped away to the balcony to take a call.


    Vanessa danced with Henry, her attention clearly elsewhere. Sensing her distraction, Henry leaned in. "Hey, are you alright?"


    Vanessa forced a smile. "I''m fine."


    "It''s because of Eleanor, isn''t it?" Henry read her easily.


    "Do you dislike her?" Vanessa shot back.


    Henry blinked, surprised, thenughed and shook his head. “Not at all."


    Vanessa red. "You know I can''t stand her, and that''s your answer?"


    Abruptly, she released his hand and stalked away, leaving Henry standing awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor.


    He scratched his nose and wandered off the floor, grabbing a drink to nurse his wounded pride.


    After the dancing wound down, the auction began. Tonight''s charity event featured plenty of rare treasures, drawing all the city''s elite.


    Eleanor wasn''t in a hurry to leave; her daughter would be spending the night at Goodwin Manor. She settled in, content to watch the spectacle unfold.


    The auctioneer took the stage, introducing each item with practiced enthusiasm.


    From her seat near the back, Eleanor noticed Xavier slip quietly into the chair beside her.


    "See anything you like, Miss Sutton?" he asked with a smile.


    She returned it. "Not really—I''m just here for the fun of it."


    He grinned. "Then I''ll keep youpany."


    Midway through the auction, a rare blue diamond ne was brought out, drawing gasps from the socialites in the room.


    Vanessa was the first to raise her paddle to bid.


    A few other wealthy women followed suit, but after a few rounds, Vanessa seemed to lose interest. Just as one of the women thought she had it in the bag,n raised his paddle.


    At the sight of who was bidding, the woman backed down graciously. "I''ll leave this one to Mr. Goodwin."


    The auctioneer dered with a flourish, "Congrattions to Miss Shannon-the ne is yours!"


    All eyes turned to Vanessa. Althoughn had ced the final bid, it was clear to everyone in the room who the true recipient was. Their rtionship needed no further exnation.