In the early hours before dawn, Vanessa''s agency issued a statement: due to


    health reasons, she would be unable toplete the filming for the International Women''s Day campaign and would be withdrawing from this year''s promotional activities.


    Eleanor was still awake when the announcement went live. She opened the agency''s statement, unsurprised by the news.


    Vanessa would never dare risk her reputation by challenging her directly— especially after everything that hade out about her andn. The truth was out there, and Vanessa held no moral high ground.


    Evenn hadn''t bothered to call her about it.


    Her daughter was off-limits. Untouchable. Anyone who crossed that line would regret it.


    The next morning, as Eleanor dropped her daughter off at school, she pulled the teacher aside for a quiet word, asking her to keep Evelyn away from Vanessa.


    The teacher apologized at once. "I''m so sorry, the new semester just started and things have been a bit chaotic. I didn''t realize."


    Eleanor couldn''t me her.


    She checked Vanessa''s statement again-now even the women''s council had posted a message expressing their regret, confirming that Vanessa was officially out of the campaign.


    On her way to theb, Joy called, somehow already in the loop.


    "Serves her right! Of all the times to fall ill, it just happens to be during the shoot?" "She''s not sick," Eleanor replied, candid as ever. "I threatened her."


    Joy listened, then bristled with anger herself. "Unbelievable. Manipting a five- year-old like that? When Evelyn grows up and understands what really happened, imagine how much that''ll hurt her."


    "If Vanessa tries toe near Evelyn again, I won''t be nearly as nice," Eleanor said tly.


    "Damn right. That woman''s overdue for a lesson."


    Eleanor arrived at theb and threw herself into work, noting up for air until noon. She was massaging the tension from her neck when her assistant Andie hurried over.


    "Eleanor, someone''s looking for you."


    She paused, wary. "Who is it?"


    "No idea. Some woman in her fifties, and she looks furious."


    Eleanor frowned. She couldn''t remember crossing anyone like that. As she walked down the corridor toward her office, she heard a shrill voice shouting, "Where is Eleanor? Tell her toe out! I''ve got something to say to her!" Eleanor''s frown deepened. She stepped into view and said calmly, "I''m Eleanor." The woman spun around. Eleanor narrowed her eyes—there was a resemnce to Vanessa. She realized at once who she was dealing with.


    Vanessa''s mother.


    "So you''re Eleanor?" Farrah Shannon''s re was full of usation. "You bullied my daughter? Got her kicked out of her ambassador role?"


    Eleanor''s tone was measured. "Mrs. Shannon, if you have something to say, let''s discuss it in my office."


    "Oh, feeling guilty now?" Farrah sneered, raising her voice. "Why not say it here? Let everyone see what a venomous woman you really are!"


    Eleanor''s gaze turned icy. "You know exactly what your daughter did. If you insist on making a scene here, the only one embarrassed will be Vanessa.”


    "My daughter is innocent! You''re just jealous of her, always targeting her!" Farrah screeched. "She had a great campaign, and you ruined it! And you still act like this? Are you even human?"


    Eleanor had no intention of arguing further. She turned to leave, but Farrah seized her arm. "Don''t you dare walk away! I want an exnation!"


    Eleanor shook her off with a cold stare. "This isn''t the ce for your tantrums. If you keep this up, I''ll call security."


    "You wouldn''t dare!" Farrah scoffed. "Do you know who''s backing my daughter?n! Just try andy a finger on me! I heard he even invested in this wholeb. He''s my future son-inw!"


    The crowd that had gathered to watch now realized who the furious woman was.


    So this was Mr. Goodwin''s future mother-inw. No wonder she was bold enough to pick a fight with Eleanor.


    At the mention ofn''s name, Eleanor''s expression grew even colder. She gave a shortugh. "Perfect. Then havene deal with me himself."


    Seeing that Eleanor wouldn''t budge, Farrah lunged, hand raised for a p.


    At that moment, a figure stepped in, blocking her. "Stop."


    It was Joel, just back for a meeting. He''d heard themotion as soon as he stepped off the elevator.


    He moved to shield Eleanor, and Faye hurried over as well, steadying Farrah. "Mrs. Shannon, what are you doing here?"


    "Faye, it''s her-Eleanor''s the one who ruined Vanessa''s campaign! This is outrageous!" Farrah was shaking with anger.


    Joel''s voice was stern. "This is aboratory, not a ce for you to throw usations."


    "And who are you? Oh, I see-you must be her lover!" Farrah spat, her words dripping with contempt.


    Faye''s face went pale. She hooked her arm through Farrah''s and tried to lead her away. "Mrs. Shannon, let''s talk outside."


    Farrah let herself be led a few steps, but she wasn''t finished. She turned back and pointed at Eleanor. "You listen to me, Eleanor! Don''t think for a second we''re afraid of you. My son-inw isn. You just wait!"


    Joel looked around at the gawking onlookers. "Show''s over. Get back to work."


    The crowd scattered, leaving only Joel and Eleanor in the now-quiet corridor. He turned to her, voice gentle. "Are you alright?"


    Eleanor shook her head. "I''m fine."


    But her body trembled slightly, a mix of anger and frustration.


    After taking a moment to collect herself, Eleanor realized she needed to warnn -he''d better keep the Shannon family in check and stop them from causing trouble for her and her daughter.


    She picked up her phone and dialedn''s number. The call went unanswered, but a curt message soon appeared: "In a meeting. What is it?"