On the other end, Vanessa fell silent for a few seconds. "If you really want to take on Eleanor, you''ll need to show some real skill. That''ll sting her far more than anything else."


    Faye hesitated, suddenly reminded that Vanessa, for all her kindness, was only her half-sister-not someone she could truly rely on. In the end, she realized she could only count on herself.


    A little of herposure returned. She let out a breath. "You''re right... but you and Mr. Goodwin can''t just drag things out forever, can you? You''re nearly twenty- eight. If you don''t marry into the Goodwin family while you''re young, how much longer do you n to wait? Aren''t you worried he''ll change his mind?"


    She couldn''t help but probe, hoping to get a hint of when Vanessa would officially join the Goodwin family. Faye had always wanted Vanessa''s backing for the Shannons.


    "Ian''s been buried in work these past couple of years. I don''t want to pressure him right now," Vanessa replied. Then she added, "Besides, I''ve got a charity performanceing up. I''ll be busy myself."


    "With your status, you still do thesemercial gigs? Doesn''t that feel beneath you?"


    "That depends on who''s hosting." Vanessa''s tone was light. "This time, the mayor''s wife is personally involved in the fundraiser. Being invited is an honor."


    Faye knew Vanessa rubbed shoulders with the city''s elite-something she could never match.


    "So what exactly did Eleanor do to you? Tell me about it," Vanessa asked gently.


    Faye bit her lip, embarrassed, and didn''t really want to get into it. She just sighed. "She''s stronger than I am. At work, she mocks and overshadows me at every turn. I know it''s because I''m not as capable, so I just put up with it."


    "Don''t sell yourself short. Landing a spot on the core project at Meridian Dynamics is a dream for most researchers. Make the most of this opportunity. Remember, you only got on the team because I beggedn for you," Vanessa said.


    Faye''s curiosity was piqued. "You really had to ask Mr. Goodwin for that? Wasn''t it just a casual mention?"


    Vanessaughed softly. "That''s one of the perks of being in a rtionship. You''ll understand when you fall in love."


    Faye couldn''t help but wonder what kind of "asking" Vanessa had done-maybe it wasn''t just a simple request after all. She quickly stopped her imagination from running wild. "Sounds like you and Mr. Goodwin are really happy together."


    n might seem cold on the outside, but he''s always been thoughtful with me," Vanessa replied, her voice sweet.


    Faye felt a pang of envy. It really did take skill to win over a man liken.


    Maybe Vanessa was one of the few who truly saw a different side ofn-the gentle, smiling, affectionate side.


    "All right, I need to get back to work. Let''s talk soon. And try not to stress so much," Vanessa said before hanging up.


    After the call ended, Faye was lost in thought for a while. She faced the reality: if she wanted to hold her ground on the neurotech project, she''d have to work hard —and watch her back, in case Eleanor managed to push her out.


    At three thirty that afternoon, Eleanor and Joel finished reviewing the data and settled into a quiet lounge for coffee.


    Eleanor seized the chance to ask about research into rare blood diseases.


    "The condition you mentioned is extremely rare, and it''s highly hereditary," Joel said. "I once toured Dr. Smith''s hematology institute. If I remember right,n was the main investor."


    Eleanor''s fingers tightened around her mug. “Really?"


    "Seems like he kept a lot from you after you got married," Joel remarked, sounding almost sympathetic. "You didn''t know about this, did you?"


    Eleanor''s expression turned frosty.


    Sensing the tension, Joel changed the subject. "What''s got you so interested in this disease? Is someone you know affected?"


    "No, it''s just for academic research." Eleanor shook her head. "By the way, how much do you know about Smith''s institute?"


    Joel adjusted his sses. "From what I''ve heard, it''s huge-state-of-the-art equipment, the works. Ian''s invested billions. But what really stood out to me were the security measures. They''re beyond strict."


    Eleanor nodded thoughtfully. They discussed the disease for a while longer, but Joel didn''t have much more to add-it was just too rare.


    Right then, Eleanor''s phone buzzed. She checked the screen: a message from Xavier. "Eleanor, could you pick up Vivian for me today? I''m stuck in a meeting until five thirty."


    Picking up Vivian was no trouble at all. "Don''t worry, I''ll take care of it and bring Vivian over to my ce for a bit," Eleanor replied.


    "Thank you so much," Xavier texted back.


    That afternoon, Eleanor arrived early at the school. After a quick word with the teacher, she took Evelyn and Vivian by the hand and walked them out, stopping along the way to buy them a few pastries.


    The girls hopped out of the car, beaming. Evelyn grabbed Vivian''s hand, barely able to contain her excitement. "Vivian, you have to see the robot my dad gave me-his name''s Wiz, and he''s amazing!"


    Vivian''s eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    As soon as they got home, Evelyn dropped her backpack and called out, "Wiz, I''m home!"


    Wiz powered up immediately, his eyes curving into a cheerful expression as he rolled over to greet them. "Wee home, Evelyn!"


    "I want you to meet my best friend-this is Vivian," Evelyn said, grinning at the robot.


    "Hello, Vivian! I''m Wiz."


    Eleanor watched the two girls y with Wiz for a moment, then slipped off her coat and headed upstairs.


    Evelyn turned to Wiz. "Wiz, call my dad—I want to tell him Vivian''s here!"


    Wiz''s eyes blinked twice. "Calling Mr. Goodwin now—"


    The call connected almost instantly. Ian''s deep voice came through the speaker. "Hello, Evelyn."


    "Daddy, Vivian came over to y today," Evelyn said, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Do you remember Vivian?"