Looking back, it all feels like a lifetime ago.


    The elevator doors slid open on the ground floor, andn strode purposefully toward the parking lot.


    Eleanor had stopped resisting by now; her body was stiff and unyielding, as if she''d turned to wood.


    When it came time to get in the car,n did give her the chance to manage on her own. Eleanor tried to climb in by herself, shaking off his hand, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She had to grip the car door for support.


    With her eyes closed, Eleanor leaned against the window, trying to ease the spinning in her head. She''d had dizzy spells before, but never this bad.


    The drive was silent. Several times, Eleanor rolled down the window for fresh air.


    By the time they reached the gate, the worst had passed. She stepped out without a word of thanks and headed straight into the house.


    Joslyn appeared at the door, surprised to seen following behind.


    As Eleanor headed upstairs, she caughtn''s voice downstairs, instructing Joslyn on how to look after her. Finally back in her own room, Eleanor sank onto her bed and closed her eyes, feeling safe for the first time all night.


    Joslyn listened carefully ton''s instructions, nodding several times. "Don''t worry, sir. I''ll take good care of her. If there''s any problem, I''ll call you right away."


    Elsewhere, Henry was giving Vanessa a ride home. Vanessa had barely spoken a word, and Henry nced over, trying to read her mood.


    "I think I heardn say Eleanor worked through the night yesterday," Henry ventured.


    Vanessa finally turned to look at him. "Is that true?"


    He nodded. "It is."


    At this, the tension in Vanessa''s face eased a little. If that was the reasonn seemed concerned for Eleanor, it was understandable; he needed her sharp mind and dedication in theb, and until his research bore fruit, he couldn''t afford to let anything happen to her.


    So,n carrying Eleanor away tonight was nothing more than that-pragmatic concern, nothing else.


    "You andn-" Henry began.


    "We''re fine, thank you," Vanessa cut him off.


    He nodded, giving her a sidelong nce. "You look thinnertely. I thought something might be bothering you."


    Vanessa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Eleanor ruined my chances of being named ambassador for the charity project. I''m not exactly in high spirits."


    "And now that Eleanor and Xavier seem to be getting closer, maybe someday you two-"


    Vanessa let out a frustrated sigh. "You think I''m afraid of her?"


    "Xavier andn seem more distanttely too," Henry observed. "That old trio of theirs isn''t what it used to be."


    “That''s Eleanor''s doing as well,” Vanessa muttered, biting her lip before ncing over at Henry. "Henry, do you think the Vaughn family would actually ept Eleanor?"


    Henry paused, caught off guard by the question. He thought for a moment before replying, “Hard to say.”


    "You mean they''d really wee a divorcée?" Vanessa sounded incredulous. She''d never had much contact with the Vaughns, but as one of Ashford City''s most prominent families, surely they wouldn''t want their son to marry a woman with a failed marriage behind her.


    Henry shook his head. "Eleanor''s made a name for herself. Even if she never remarries, the inheritancen''s set aside for her is more than enough to keep herfortable for life. The real question isn''t whether the Vaughns would ept her. It''s whether Eleanor would even want to marry into that family."