Serena tossed her phone aside and leaned back in her seat with a relieved sigh. "Finally done being angry. I actually feel better now."


    Vanessa smiled. "Your brother has always doted on you. He''ll never hold a grudge. But-" She hesitated, trailing off.


    "But what?" Serena immediately sat up straighter.


    Vanessa sighed softly. "But when ites to Eleanor... Your brother really needs her expertise right now. Serena, just hold back for a bit, okay? Don''t go picking fights with her again."


    A shadow flickered in Serena''s eyes, but she quickly forced a smile. "I get it. For the sake of his career, I''ll tolerate her." She turned to Vanessa, eyes gleaming with admiration. "Vanessa, you really are the most understanding person I know. No one gets my brother''s struggles the way you do."


    Vanessa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, after ten years together, I''d hope so."


    "My brother can be so clueless sometimes. When''s he finally going to propose to you?" Serena couldn''t hide her eagerness-she was already picturing Vanessa as family.


    Vanessa''s gaze flickered. "No rush. Let''s wait until he''s finished with this busy stretch."


    Serena looked at her with genuine gratitude. Vanessa''s grace, patience, and thoughtfulness were exactly what Serena aspired to.


    "Wait," Serena said suddenly, "don''t you still have some cute photos of you and my brother on your phone?"


    Vanessa froze, instantly realizing what Serena was after. "We haven''t taken any new ones in ages-any pictures I have are from way back."


    "That''s fine! Just pick one for me. I want to send it to Eleanor. She shouldn''t get off so easily," Serena said, her grudge against Eleanor still simmering.


    With no way to refuse, Vanessa unlocked her phone and found an old photo of herself leaning againstn''s shoulder in a hospital room.


    Serena''s eyes lit up when she saw it. Vanessa looked delicate but beautiful, nestled in her brother''s arms like a pampered little princess. "This one''s perfect."


    She sent the photo to herself, then nced nervously at her phone-what if Eleanor had already blocked her? She turned to the driver. "Excuse me, can I borrow your phone for a minute?"


    The driver handed it over, and Serena quickly typed out a message, attaching the photo.


    "Eleanor, did you really think my brother cares about you? Don''t tter yourself." With that, she hit send.


    Meanwhile,n was staring down at his phone, frowning at the apologetic text Serena had sent. He didn''t bother to reply.


    In the back seat, Eleanor''s phone buzzed. She picked it up—a message from an unfamiliar number. Curiously, she opened it and saw the photo from Serena. The lighting was dim, but Xavier, who was sitting beside her, nced over and caught sight of the picture ofn and Vanessa together.


    He looked up, watching Eleanor''s reaction. She barely nced at the photo before deleting it and blocking the number without hesitation.


    Xavier''s gaze drifted forward, settling onn''s silhouette in the front seat. The faintest trace of a smile curled at his lips. There were some rivalries that simply didn''t allow for mercy-and love was one of them.


    Xavier knewn well. Even ifn didn''t want something himself, he couldn''t stand the thought of anyone else having it—especially when it came to his ex-wife, Eleanor. Ian''s constant interference in Xavier''s pursuit of Eleanor wasn''t about regret, but pure possessiveness.


    Xavier wished he could openly pursue Eleanor, without jeopardizing his friendship withn.


    Just then,n sensed someone''s gaze on him. He nced back, locking eyes with Eleanor for a split second-a sh of resentment in her eyes.<pn was visibly startled for a moment before he looked away.