"We''re still optimizing the reaction conditions. Short-term fluctuations are perfectly normal." Eleanor answered coolly, then pulled up a set ofparative data.


    Eleanor turned to look at him, waiting for feedback, only to realizen''s mind was elsewhere. Irritated, she snapped, "If you''re just here to waste my time, don''t bothering next time."


    “Really?” Eleanor scoffed, snapping herptop shut. "Then why don''t you repeat thest set of data I just covered?"


    After he finished, he lifted his eyes, a hint of mischief flickering there. "Did I get it right?"


    Eleanor''s expression only frosted over further. "That''s all for today''s report."


    At that moment,n''s phone rang. He nced at the screen-his grandmother was calling.


    He answered in front of Eleanor. "Hello, Gran."


    "That bracelet I asked you to carry for mest night-where did you put it?"


    "Yes! You had it with you yesterday, but I couldn''t find it when I got home."


    "I''m sorry, Gran, I..."n''s mind went nk; he couldn''t recall what happened to it.


    Eleanor stood up, surprised for once to seen looking unsettled. Had he given Vanessa the bracelet without telling Magdalen?


    She didn''t stick around to listen-she pushed open the door and left.


    A few minutester,n left the conference room and strode quickly toward the elevator.


    He had Gavin check the hotel CCTV, and soon enough, they located the license te of the taxi he''d taken the previous night.


    He briefly exined the situation, and the driver paused. "Didn''t I give your gift box to your sister?"


    "When was this?"n''s frown deepened.


    "About five minutes after you got outst night. I dropped it off at the hotel. A


    pretty youngdy said she was your sister-I even took a photo."


    The driver sent the photo over. Sure enough, it was Serena. Ian thanked him and hung up.


    Then he called Serena.


    "Hey,n!" Serena answered, sounding a little guilty. She''d lied to him the night before and assumed he was about to scold her.


    "Did you get a gift box from a driverst night? Where''s the bracelet that was inside?"


    "The bracelet? Oh, you mean that amethyst one? Weren''t you giving that to Vanessa? I gave it to her for you!" Serena sounded aggrieved.


    There was a shriek on the other end. "What? Gran wanted to give Eleanor that expensive bracelet? Why?!"


    "Get it back, and bring it home,"n ordered in a low voice.


    Serena huffed, “I''m not doing that! You can''t just ask for a gift back after you''ve given it away."


    "Don''t mess around."


    "You do it yourself! I already gave it to Vanessa as if it was from you. I''m not showing my face to get it back!" Serena hung up before he could reply.


    "We''ll go back to the office,"n decided. He''d deal with thister.


    In an upscale café, Vanessa was having coffee with friends, the amethyst bracelet


    on her wrist catching the sunlight and drawing admiring nces.


    "Vanessa, that bracelet looks stunning on you," one of the women gushed. "Is Mr. Goodwin going to propose soon?"


    Vanessa smiled, lips curved. "I have no idea!"


    But everyone could hear the satisfaction in her voice. Even ifn hadn''t proposed, she was living a life most of them envied.


    Just then, Serena''s call came through. Vanessa excused herself and moved to a quieter spot by the window.


    "Hello, Serena."


    "Vanessa, has my brother called you?"


    "Your brother? No. Why?"


    "I''m really sorry, Vanessa. The bracelet fromst night wasn''t actually a gift fromn—it was meant for Eleanor from my grandmother. Ian picked it up by mistake, and I thought it was for you when I handed it over."


    Serena''s words wiped the color from Vanessa''s face. She stared down at the bracelet-Magdalen had intended it for Eleanor?


    A moment ago, the bracelet had seemed beautiful. Now, it felt like it was burning her skin. She wanted to rip it off immediately.


    "My brother just asked me to get it back from you. Vanessa, please don''t be upset!"


    Vanessa drew a shaky breath, forcing a smile. "It''s fine. Just a misunderstanding. I''ll take it off and return it to him."


    After hanging up, Vanessa said a quick goodbye to her friends and left. Driving home, she kept ncing at the bracelet, her fingers digging into her palm as she finally managed to pull it off, her skin red from the effort.


    A flush of humiliation and anger surged through her.


    "A gift for Eleanor, huh?" Vanessa muttered bitterly, her eyes burning. Then she let


    out a short, mockingugh. "Fine. I''ll deliver it to Eleanor myself."


    She turned her car and headed straight for Eleanor''sb.