Eleanor''s brow creased in irritation. Couldn''t she get a moment''s peace without being disturbed?


    With a quiet sigh, she decided to move elsewhere and turned to leave.


    Just then,n''s voice called out behind her, "Are you and Xavier... are you two serious?"


    Eleanor crossed her arms, her tone frosty. "What business is it of yours?"


    "It''s not my business, but—”n''s eyes narrowed, as if he wanted to say more, but before he could finish, Henry came rushing over with Vanessa cradled in his arms.


    “Ian, it''s Vanessa—something''s wrong,” Henry said, concern etched on his face.


    Without a second thought,n strode over and asked, “What''s wrong? Are you feeling sick?"


    Vanessa, looking pale and weak, reached a trembling hand toward him. "Ian, hold me="


    Henry hesitated for a moment, but finally handed Vanessa over. Ian lifted her easily into his arms and hurried toward the main entrance of the ballroom.


    A little whileter, Xavier found Eleanor. He exined that Vanessa had felt faint at the dinner table, and Henry had taken her outside to get some air.


    Eleanor let him know thatn and Henry had already left with Vanessa.


    "Has she always had health problems?" Eleanor asked Xavier quietly.


    "I''m not sure," Xavier replied. "Whenever we''re all out together,n keeps a close eye on her, especially about drinking. He never lets her have a ss."


    Eleanor didn''t press further. Instead, she said, "I should go say goodbye to Mr. Brown and head out."


    "I''lle with you," Xavier offered.


    After exchanging farewells with Mr. Brown, Eleanor and Xavier made their way down to the lobby. Xavier had checked in with Henry about Vanessa, and now he had a reply.


    n took her to the hospital," Henry had texted.


    Xavier thought of telling Eleanor, but decided it wasn''t necessary, so he kept it to himself.


    He saw her to her car before asking someone to bring his own around.


    Eleanor drove to the Goodwin family''s estate and rang the doorbell at the gate.


    "Miss Sutton, wee. Pleasee in,” the housekeeper greeted her, having switched to a more formal address this time.


    She no longer called Eleanor "Mrs. Goodwin," which made sense-Miss Shannon had been visiting frequentlytely, and everyone seemed to know the role of future daughter-inw was about to change hands.


    Eleanor''s arrival lifted Magdalen''s spirits. She pulled Eleanor over for some warm conversation, then gave her a once-over with a worried eye. "You look thinner. Are you so busy with work you forget to eat?"


    Eleanor managed a smile. "I try to eat on time. I just haven''t had much of an appetitetely."


    "It''s this heat," Magdalen sighed. "Makes it hard for anyone to feel hungry."


    "Mom, I''m home!" A weak voice floated up from the living room downstairs- Serena Goodwin had just returned.


    Eleanor tensed and nced at Magdalen. "Grandma, I''ll visit you another time when it''s quieter."


    "Why are you leaving already?" Magdalen protested, reluctant to let her go.


    Downstairs, the housekeeper had already told Serena that Eleanor was visiting. With a scowl, Serena stomped upstairs, and found Eleanor and Magdalen chatting in the sitting room. Her expression darkened.


    "Ellie, stay a little longer. Who knows,n might be home soon," Magdalen said absentmindedly.


    Eleanor''s smile faded. "No, thank you, Grandma."


    Serena snorted. "You make it sound like my brother''s dying to see her." As she spoke, her phone buzzed with a message. She nced at the screen and broke into a smile. “Grandma, my brother''s noting home tonight."