Eleanor slid back into the car; it was already half past four. Time to pick up her daughter. As she reached for her phone, a new message shed on the screen. She checked it quickly-disappointed, it wasn''t the one she''d been waiting for. With a sigh, Eleanor set the phone down. Still no word from Mansfield Ellington.


    But, considering the sensitive nature of his work, it made sense. He wouldn''t risk reaching out locally at a time like this.


    At the Yeaton household, it was a rare afternoon with everyone under one roof. Since Rnd Yeaton''spany had gone public, he''d be practically a ghost, buried in endless meetings andworking events.


    Mrs. Yeaton had herints, but with the business thriving, she''d learned to let it go. After all, the fortune he was building would one day belong to their daughter-it hardly seemed like wasted effort.


    Faye was lounging on the living room sofa, scrolling through her phone, when Vanessa Shannon walked in. Vanessa settled into the armchair opposite, fixing Faye with a thoughtful look.


    "Did Eleanor finish her resignation paperwork yet?" Vanessa asked.


    "Not yet. She''s still tied up with the new drug trials," Faye replied with a shake of her head.


    Vanessa frowned. "She''s not having second thoughts, is she?" Lately, Vanessa hadn''t seen much of Eleanor and had no idea what she was nning. Faye, on the other hand, worked in the sameb as Eleanor and was surely more in the loop.


    After a pause, Faye looked up at her sister. "Hey, can you do me a favor? I want to join Meridian Dynamics'' brainputer interface project. Could you talk ton for me?"


    Everyone in the family sawn as Vanessa''s future husband-it was a foregone conclusion. At first, callingn her "brother-inw" had felt awkward to Faye, but now it rolled off her tongue without a second thought.


    Vanessa just smiled, calm and confident. "Don''t worry, leave it to me."


    Faye grinned. "So, when do we finally get to toast at your wedding?"


    Vanessa''s lips curled with amusement. "Ian''s swamped at work, and I''ve got a few ad campaigns to shoot. Give it some time."


    Faye''s eyes flickered with envy. Even though her sister hadn''t officially joined the Goodwin family yet,n had already showered her with all the perks. Faye noticed that since Vanessa had returned from Drexford, a diamond ring glittered on her left hand-sorge it could hardly go unnoticed.


    "Is that your engagement ring?" Faye leaned closer, eyes widening in admiration.


    Vanessa lifted her hand, letting the stone catch the light. "Pretty, isn''t it?" She didn''t deny it.


    "It''s gorgeous," Faye said, nodding. "You can tell it''s worth a fortune. Suits you perfectly."


    Vanessa admired the ring herself. She had always loved jewels and anything luxurious—these things brought herfort, a sense of security, and a happiness she felt she''d earned.


    Just then, the rumble of a car engine drifted in from the driveway. Faye nced up. "Dad''s home."


    Rnd entered, spotting his two beautiful daughters on the sofa. Satisfaction spread across his face. Not only were they both striking, but they were smart and capable as well.


    Especially Vanessa. Thanks to her connections,n had invested in thepany, paving the way for a sessful IPO. Rnd''s name now carried weight in the business world, and he was enjoying all the prestige that came with it.


    "Vanessa, Faye-what are you two chatting about?" he asked, settling into an armchair.


    "Dad, what have you been up totely?" Faye asked, recalling how their mother oftenined that he was gone for days at a time.