Just then, Headmaster Maxwell stood up, phone in hand, and walked towardn as he spoke into the receiver. Ian offered him a polite smile and exchanged a brief greeting as they passed.
Back at his seat, the manager was still outlining the specifics of the three-year n, his voice carrying over the murmurs in the room.
At another table, Vanessa nced at the empty seat beside her, worried that Serena hadn''t returned. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message.
"Serena, where are you? Why haven''t youe back yet?"
The reply came almost instantly. "Vanessa, I had a fight with my brother. I''m noting back."
Vanessa''s eyes widened in surprise. She quickly typed back, "What happened? Do you need my help?"
Serena''s response was swift. "Vanessa, just stay out of it. This is between me and Eleanor-it''s got nothing to do with you. I don''t want to drag you into this."
Vanessa frowned, piecing things together. Had Serena confronted Eleanor in the restroom, only forn to walk in on them?
She bit her lip in frustration. She knew exactly what kind of person Serena was, and she probably should have stopped her earlier, kept her from making trouble for Eleanor at a time like this.
But it was toote for regrets now. Vanessa replied gently, "Don''t be upset. I''lle find you right away."
"Vanessa, you should stay at the event and keep my brotherpany. You don''t need to worry about me."
"No, really, your brother''s busy tonight. I''ll go with you." Vanessa said, then turned to Henry and murmured, "Something''se up, I need to head out."
Henry looked surprised. "Is it boring? You''re leaving already?"
"It''s not that—it''s just an urgent matter I need to handle. You stay here and supportn, all right? I''ll catch up with youter."
"Let me walk you out," Henry offered, starting to rise from his chair.
Vanessa gently pressed his shoulder back down. "No need, really. My car''s waiting right outside."
Still, Henry couldn''t help but worry. Vanessa going off on her own always made him uneasy.
Vanessa grabbed her purse, then paused for a moment to look across the room atn. For a few seconds, she watched him silently before turning on her heel and leaving without hesitation.
Henry noticed the way she looked atn—there was something in her gaze that stung him, a sharp, familiar ache. Truth be told, he wasn''t interested in the meeting either, but sincen had invited him, he was expected to y the supportive guest.
Outside, Vanessa''s car quickly caught up to Gavin''s, which was pulled over at the curb with its hazard lights shing. As soon as Vanessa''s car stopped, Serena darted out from Gavin''s and slipped inside. Gavin let out a sigh of relief and textedn.
"Mr. Goodwin, Miss Goodwin has left with Miss Shannon."
"I told you to take her home yourself,"n shot back, frustration clear in his message.
"Sorry, sir, I tried. She insisted on getting out, and I couldn''t stop her," Gavin replied immediately. Serena had been in a terrible mood, and when she demanded he pull over, there was nothing he could do.
"Come back,"n replied curtly.
Inside Vanessa''s car, Serena clutched a handful of tissues to her swollen, tear- stained eyes, her voice trembling with indignation. "It''s Eleanor-she''s so rude! I wasn''t even finished talking when she just walked away. I admit I grabbed her arm, but she shoved me. If my brother hadn''t caught me, I would''ve hit my head on the floor!"
Vanessa offered her a damp wipe and gently patted her back. "Don''t cry, sweetheart. Your eyes are all puffy."
"That''s not even the worst of it," Serena sobbed, her carefully applied makeup streaked down her cheeks. "The worst part is that my own brother-right in front of Eleanor-forced me to apologize to her! Why? I was the one who almost fell! Why should I be the one to say sorry?" She sniffled, her voice breaking. "He''s changed. Ian really has changed."
Vanessa''s expression shifted as well. Forn to make Serena apologize to Eleanor-just to please her? That was something she never would have expected.