Family had alwayse first forn; nothing ever took precedence over his loved ones. His behavior today was entirely out of character.


    "The worst one here is Eleanor." Serena suddenly lifted her head, her eyes shing. "When Xavier arrived, she deliberately threw herself into his arms—right in front of me! She clung to him like they were some lovesick couple, and she knew exactly what she was doing." Serena sniffled, her voice tight with frustration. "She knows how much I like Xavier. She was just unting it to make me jealous, showing off in front of me and my brother."


    "She didn''t just disgust me-she pissed off my brother, too." Serena''s resentment simmered.


    "So, how did he react?" Vanessa asked, curiosity coloring her tone.


    "What could he do? She''s his ex-wife. Who she flirts with now doesn''t bother him anymore," Serena replied, though the truth was, she hadn''t even looked at her brother''s face at the time-her own jealousy had nearly overwhelmed her.


    "I figure the only thing he felt was disgust. Xavier''s his best friend, after all. And now his ex is all over him? That''s just awkward, not amusing." Serena gave a bitter little huff.


    "Serena, you really shouldn''t go after Eleanor anymore," Vanessa said, her voice lowered in warning. "You''ll just put your brother in a tough spot. Don''t forget, Eleanor controls thepany''s core technology. She''s important to him, whether you like it or not."


    Serena bristled, her anger ring up again. "So now Eleanor is more important to my brother than I am, is that it?"


    "That''s not what I meant," Vanessa said quickly, soothingly. "I just mean that Eleanor is valuable to hispany. You know how rare it is to find someone with her expertise."


    Serena''s irritation eased a little. "You''re right-she''s just a moneymaker in his eyes. It''s not like he treasures her or anything."


    Vanessa smiled. "Exactly. So, stop crying. Don''t me your brother for this. Why not just apologize?"


    Serena blinked. "You want me to apologize to him?"


    Vanessa sighed, nodding gently. "Yes. Don''t let Eleanore between you and your brother. That''s not worth it."


    The words finally sank in. Serena realized Vanessa was right—if she kept fighting with her brother, all she''d do was give Eleanor the satisfaction of watching the Goodwin family fall apart.


    There was no way she was going to let Eleanor enjoy that spectacle. Serena turned to Vanessa, gratitude shining in her eyes. Whenever she messed up or lost her way, Vanessa was always there a steady, caring big sister, guiding her back.


    "Vanessa, you really are the best. When you marry into the Goodwin family, we''ll be so lucky to have you," Serena said, hugging her tightly. In Serena''s mind, Vanessa was nothing short of a life coach.


    Vanessa stroked her back with a soft chuckle. "You just get a little too worked up sometimes."


    "I know, I know. I lost it today. But Eleanor''s arrogance just drives me crazy. Who does she think she is, always acting so superior?"


    The memory of Eleanor''s disdainful re in the restroom still made Serena''s blood boil.


    She wiped away her tears and grabbed her phone,posing a message to her brother.


    "Hey, I''m sorry. I lost my temper today. I shouldn''t have made a scene at your event and put you in that position. I was wrong. Please don''t be mad at me, okay?"


    After a moment, she added, "From now on, I''ll listen to you and try not to be so reckless. I promise."


    Vanessa, reading over her shoulder, smiled. "That''s a good apology. I''m sure he''ll forgive you."