The handwriting was elegant and graceful-just like the person who''d written it.


    True to form.


    Later, Eleanor picked up her daughter and headed home. Just as they sat down for dinner, her phone rang. Magdalen''s name shed on the screen.


    Eleanor stepped out into the garden to take the call. "Hello, Magdalen?"


    "Ellie, I heard you and Vanessa had an argument and you pped her. Did she try to fight back?" Magdalen''s anxious voice crackled over the line.


    Eleanor paused, caught off guard. “Grandma, she didn''t. She just walked away."


    "That''s a relief," Magdalen sighed. Then her tone shifted, stern but caring. "About the bracelet-Serena was careless giving it away. I''ve already spoken to her."


    "Grandma, I''ve hadn return the bracelet."


    "I know. He just got home," Magdalen replied, sounding a little irritated now. "That bracelet was something I picked out especially for you. It''s not for just anyone to wear. I''m putting it up for auction-next time, I''ll choose something else for you."


    "Please, Grandma, there''s no need to get me anything. I really don''t need gifts like that."


    Magdalen sighed again. "You''ve always been so unassuming, never one to fight for anything. That''s exactly why I adore you. Girls who y games and scheme—l can''t stand them."


    Eleanorughed softly. "It''ste, Grandma. You should get some rest."


    "You too, Ellie. Make sure Evelyn gets to bed early." With that, Magdalen hung up.


    Meanwhile, at the Goodwin house, the atmosphere was heavy. Serena sat on the couch, sulking, cheeks puffed out in frustration—her grandmother had given her quite the scolding. Ian was upstairs working in the study, and Gina, their mother, was quietly upset about her daughter''s thoughtless gesture.


    If only Serena had asked before giving away the bracelet, none of this would have happened.


    This time, Serena had taken all the me herself, not wanting Vanessa to get dragged into the mess.


    Just then,n came downstairs for a ss of water. Serena watched him, visibly upset, but he ignored her.


    Her frustration boiled over. She got up and nted herself in front of him. "Ian, I know I messed up, but Vanessa was just trying to give Eleanor a nice gift, and Eleanor pped her! How unfair is that to Vanessa?"


    Serena shrank back under his stare, her eyes filling with tears. “I— I just—” Her voice trembled. "But Vanessa-"


    "That''s enough." Ian cut her off sharply. "You''re going back to Montir for school. And you''re noting home until you''ve earned your degree."


    "Why should I? You know I''m not cut out for school!" Serena protested, her voice rising in anger.


    Gina, hearing themotion, came downstairs. "What''s going on?"


    Serena flung herself into her mother''s arms, sobbing. "He''s trying to send me away again, Mom! I don''t want to go back to school-I hate it!"


    Gina sighed, turning to her son. "She''s twenty-five,n. Do you really need to force her to study abroad?"


    "I''m not leaving. I don''t care what you say!" Serena snapped, her eyes red with tears.


    Aftern went back upstairs, Gina tried tofort her. "Don''t worry, honey. He''s just upset about today. Give him some time to cool off."


    A thought struck Gina, and she hesitated before asking, "By the way, how are things between your brother and Vanessa?"


    "They''re fine," Serena answered quickly.


    Gina remembered the lunch she''d had with Vanessa not long ago—Vanessa''s stomach had been perfectly t. Maybe she''d been wrong about her suspicions after all. Vanessa must not be pregnant. But it wasn''t something she could ask about directly, not before they were even married.


    "Try not to cause your brother any more trouble. He''s already under enough stress at work," Gina reminded her daughter gently.


    Upstairs in the study,n was drafting an email when his phone lit up with a text from Vanessa.


    "Ian, I''m really sorry about the bracelet. I had no idea it was meant for Eleanor. I apologized to her today I hope she''s not upset with me. And please, don''t be mad at Serena. If anyone''s at fault, it''s me."


    Just then,n''s phone rang again. He didn''t reply to Vanessa''s message, choosing instead to answer the call.


    Afterward, he grabbed his suit jacket and car keys, then dialed Byron Chase. "Come with me to Kingston. Now."


    "Yes, Mr. Goodwin."


    Asn headed downstairs, he called Eleanor.


    At that moment, Eleanor was getting Evelyn ready for bed. When she sawn''s name on the screen, a wave of annoyance washed over her, but she answered anyway. "What is it?"


    "First flight out tomorrow. We need to go to Kingston,”n said, his tone brisk. "Meridian Dynamics is signing a formal contract with the military. You have to be there."


    Eleanor had no interest in traveling with him. "Do I have to go?"


    "Yes. The military hospital specifically requested you,"n''s voice was low, leaving no room for negotiation.


    "Why would they want to see me?" Eleanor asked, keeping her voice as steady as she could.


    "Because your research proposal was selected as a key project. They want to discuss details with you face to face."


    He paused, his voice softening just a little. "Eleanor, this coboration is important for Meridian Dynamics."