n seems to be in trouble."


    Eleanor paused, then clicked the link-headline: Goodwin & Co. Assists Yeaton Holdings'' IPO, Allegations of Bribery Surface.


    She frowned. Honestly,n had iting.


    "Is it wrong to say he deserves it?" Joy''s message popped up.


    Eleanor fired back, "You''re not wrong."


    "Rnd Yeaton''s reputation in the business world has been in the gutter for years, andn still insists on helping him go public. He''s basically enabling a crook. Now that this mess is draggingn down, let''s see how he gets out of it," Joy replied. Eleanor finished reading the article carefully. It was clear the media were targetingn, using Rnd''s notorious past as ammunition.


    Maybe one ofn''s rivals had finally found a weakness to exploit. Either way, it had nothing to do with her, and she had no interest in following the drama.


    In the top-floor conference room at Goodwin & Co., tension hung thick in the air. Two dozen executives sat stiffly at the table, watching as wave after wave of negative headlines shed across the projection screen.


    "Mr. Goodwin, our stock price is down seven points. We need to issue a statement immediately and refute these baseless usations."


    "I think we should pull out of Yeaton Holdings altogether. There''s no need to wade through their mess any longer," another executive suggested.


    "No," he said, his voice cold and steely. "Tell legal to file suit against the media outlets leading the charge."


    "And the public bacsh?"


    Everyone understood he was determined to stand by Yeaton Holdings through this crisis.


    "Mr. Goodwin, if we stay tied to Yeaton Holdings, won''t—"


    "Tomorrow at ten, we''ll hold a joint press conference.” With that,n stood and left the room.


    The next morning, Goodwin & Co. released Yeaton Holdings'' audited financials for the past three years, along with the original SEC approval for their IPO.


    In just two days, every negative story about Yeaton Holdings vanished from the news cycle, and their stock price stabilized.


    Joy was glued to the updates, her frustration mounting.


    "Eleanor, did you see thetest?n is willing to let Goodwin''s own stock tank just to protect Rnd''spany."


    Eleanor, finally with a moment to herself, skimmed the financial news: Goodwin & Co. Pulls Off a Miracle, Yeaton Holdings Stock Rebounds.


    "Look at this-he''s sacrificing everything just to bail out Vanessa Shannon''s father."


    "Everyone knows about Yeaton Holdings'' skeletons. Ian must bepletely bewitched by Vanessa."


    "Let it go, Joy," Eleanor said, soothing her friend''s indignation. "His personal life isn''t our concern."


    She knew Joy''s sense of justice was especially sharp, thanks to her work as awyer.


    That evening, Eleanor arrived home at seven. Joslyn had prepared a generous dinner, and Eleanor, ravenous, served herself a heaping bowl before digging in. Halfway through, her phone rang-it was Ellington.


    Assuming it was a work call, Eleanor set down her fork and stepped outside to


    answer.


    "Hello, Ellington."


    "Ms. Sutton, I''m not sure if I should be telling you this," Ellington began, hesitating.


    "Is it work-rted?" Eleanor asked, curious.


    "No, it''s... Miss Vanessa booked the presidential suite at the Vesper Joy Hotel at three this afternoon."


    Eleanor frowned. "That''s not something I need to know."


    But Ellington pressed on, hesitating for a few seconds before adding, "Just now, Mr. Goodwin went up to Miss Shannon''s suite="


    Eleanor let out a silent, bitterugh. Son had barely finished smoothing over Yeaton Holdings'' scandal before rushing off to collect his reward from Vanessa?


    And they just had to choose the Vesper Joy Hotel. Were they trying to rub it in her face?


    "Ellington, unless it''s about work, don''t update me on anything else," Eleanor said, her tone suddenly icy.


    The line was quiet for a beat, then Ellington gave an awkwardugh. "Sorry, Ms. Sutton. I overstepped."