n! Something''s wrong-Vanessa just fainted. You need to get here, now!"


    "Where is she?"n''s tone was sharp with worry.


    Serena quickly rattled off the name of a hotel and the private suite number.


    The driver floored it, weaving through traffic, cursing under his breath. "This is insane! I just ran three red lights—are you trying to get me killed?"


    A wad of bills appeared in front of him,n''s voice low and icy. "Thanks for the trouble."


    Whatever more the driver wanted to say died in his throat. He snatched up the cash, grinning. "Sure thing, boss."


    The cabbie stared after him, half-amused, half-stunned. "Guess it really is an emergency," he muttered, then happily started counting his windfall.


    The room was bright with party lights,ughter echoing off the walls. Vanessa, champagne flute in hand, was the center of attention, surrounded by friends.


    She lowered her ss, her smile faltering in surprise. n? What are you doing here?"


    Just then, Serena wriggled her way through the crowd, looking exceedingly pleased with herself. "See, Vanessa? I knew if I toldn you''d fainted, he''d show up right away."


    Vanessa''s eyes widened. She hadined before thatn was always too busy for her, but she never imagined Serena would pull a stunt like this.


    "Serena! How could you lie about something like that to your brother?" Vanessa demanded, genuinely shocked.


    Serena nced from Vanessa''s face to her brother''s dark expression, realizing maybe her little prank had gone too far. She bit her lip, looking every bit the remorseful child. "I just wantedn toe spend some time with you, Vanessa. I''m sorry."


    "Serena, please don''t ever do something like this again, all right? You scaredn half to death,” Vanessa said gently, then turned ton with an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry you had to worry."


    "I''m really sorry,n! I didn''t mean to honestly, I just thought-" Serena''s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had only wanted to lighten the mood, never expecting her brother to panic like this.


    Vanessa put an arm around Serena''s shoulders, mollified by her obvious regret. She turned ton, pleading, "Don''t be too hard on her,n. She just didn''t realize how much you care about me."


    The friends nearby exchanged nces, all having witnessedn''s frantic entrance. It was obvious how deeply he cared for Vanessa.


    With that, he stepped out to take the call.


    Serena''s eyes welled up and she threw her arms around Vanessa, who, despite being a bit annoyed at the prank, couldn''t help but feel a secret thrill.


    "Vanessa, you''re so lucky," one of her friends whispered. "Did you see how worried Mr. Goodwin was? You''re his whole world."