On the other end of the line, Henry shot back, "Why are you so interested in him?"


    "Jealous, are you?" Vanessa teased. "I just saw him with Eleanor-that''s all. Got curious." As she spoke, she sent Henry another photo, this one showing Eleanor seated side by side with the man in question.


    "I don''t know this guy," Henry replied honestly.


    "Then send the photo to Xavier. Ask if he knows him," Vanessa pressed.


    "I don''t know... That might hurt Xavier''s feelings."


    "Isn''t that exactly what Xavier needs? Maybe it''ll help him see Eleanor for who she really is. It''ll do him good," Vanessa insisted, her determination to push Eleanor out ofn''s circle burning as strong as ever.


    After a pause, Henry seemed convinced. "Alright, I''ll send it to him and ask."


    A sly smile curved at Vanessa''s lips. Just then, a voice boomed from the microphone at the front of the hall: "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in weing Mayor Ellington and Mr. Ian Goodwin, CEO of Goodwin & Co.!"


    Vanessa''s head snapped up. Ian was walking into the room alongside the mayor —a sight that perfectly captured his influence in both business and politics.


    For a moment, every eye in the hall was on them.


    Eleanor looked up as well, surprised to seen here. Still, considering his recent phnthropic work in medicine, it made sense that he''d be invited.


    Asn strode to the front row, his dark eyes swept the audience-andnded squarely on Eleanor, seated beside Mansfield. His step faltered ever so slightly. He held their gaze for a few seconds before moving on.


    The mayor andn took seats at the very center of the front row.


    "Uncle!" Mansfield leaned forward, calling softly to the mayor.


    Mayor Ellington, who hadn''t noticed his nephew before, turned in surprise. He caught sight of Eleanor, too, and his face broke into a knowing smile. He gave Mansfield a quick, approving nod, then greeted Eleanor warmly, "Eleanor! Good to see you."


    Eleanor beamed at him. "Good evening, Mr. Mayor."


    Watching all this, Vanessa felt a jolt of surprise. She hadn''t expected the handsome man beside Eleanor to not only be on close terms with the mayor, but also acquainted withn.


    How intriguing, she mused, lips curling into a crimson smile.


    By now, the charity g was about to begin. Mrs. Ellington, the mayor''s wife, took the stage for the opening address, her warmth andpassion shining through in every word.


    "Tonight, we are honored to wee Mr. Ian Goodwin, CEO of Goodwin & Co., who has made outstanding contributions to leukemia research. We are also joined by Miss Eleanor, the lead researcher in the development of a new leukemia treatment-"


    Before she could finish, the hall erupted in apuse. Eleanor andn stood together, acknowledging Mrs. Ellington with a gracious nod.


    Their faces appeared side by side on therge screen above the stage.


    Vanessa watched, her nails digging into her palm. Two years ago, she would never have imagined Eleanor andn would one day be so closely connected.


    She had never expected Eleanor would be singled out for praise at such an important event, earning the apuse of the entire room.


    Fate could be so ironic. Vanessa couldn''t help but feel that, in some twisted way, she deserved a bit of credit for Eleanor''s sess. It was her own actions that forced Eleanor to grow so quickly.


    If not for her, Eleanor would probably still be content to stay byn''s side, ying the dutiful housewife, asking her husband for shopping money.