Gavin nodded and left the office.


    A momentter, he approached Vanessa with a polite smile. "Miss Shannon, I''m


    so sorry. Mr. Goodwin has an important video conference starting soon. He asks if you could go home for now-he''ll reach out to youter."


    Vanessa smiled gracefully. "Of course. I understand."


    Gavin gestured toward the elevator. "Let me walk you down."


    "Thank you." Vanessa nodded, her elegant outfit and artistic poise entuating her beauty. With her refined features and natural grace, she was truly striking.


    Gavin remained courteous, but standing beside someone so beautiful in the elevator made him a little nervous. Some women just radiated an intimidating kind of presence.


    When they reached the lobby, Vanessa turned to him. "You can head back up. I''ll be fine from here."


    Gavin nodded and stepped into the elevator, leaving Vanessa to cross the lobby on her own. At the front desk, the receptionist greeted her with a bright smile. "Miss Shannon, are you heading out?"


    Vanessa maintained her poised smile and gave a small nod.


    "Let me walk you out."


    "Thank you." Vanessa''s reply was gentle, her demeanor as polished as ever.


    The receptionist apanied Vanessa all the way to her waiting car, only turning back after it pulled away.


    As she returned to her post, she couldn''t help but whisper to her coworker, "Miss Shannon is just so gorgeous and elegant. I bet things are getting serious between her and Mr. Goodwin."


    "Definitely! You can tell he treats her differently-shees and goes from his office as she pleases," her colleague agreed. "I wouldn''t be surprised if she''s our boss''s wife soon."


    Meanwhile, Vanessa settled into the back seat of her car, just as her phone buzzed with a message from Faye.


    "Did you see Mr. Goodwin?"


    Vanessa replied, "I went to his office, but he''s busy with meetings. He''ll see meter."


    After sending her text, she leaned back to rest her eyes and told the driver, "Take me to the mall."


    "But Miss Laverne said you shouldn''t be in crowded ces," the driver reminded her gently.


    Vanessa''s voice was cool but firm. "I need to pick out a gift forn.”


    At the mall, Vanessa made her way straight to the men''s section, heading for the belts. The sales associate brought out thetest styles for her to choose from.


    As she browsed, she caught sight of a familiar figure-Joy, Eleanor''s close friend, who was visibly pregnant and also shopping for men''s essories.


    Vanessa''s lips curled into a smile. "Attorney Thatcher! What a coincidence."


    Joy turned, then told the sales associate, "I''ll take this one. Please wrap it up for me."


    Vanessa approached with effortless grace. "Shopping for a tie for your husband?" "Mm." Joy''s answer was curt-she wasn''t in the mood for small talk.


    Vanessa turned to the associate. "I''ll have that belt wrapped up as well. It''s a gift for a friend."


    A trace of mockery shed in Joy''s eyes. "Miss Shannon, just a word of advice-a belt is best given to an unmarried man."


    "It''s forn. He''s been swamped with worktely, so I wanted to pick up something nice for him," Vanessa replied, her smile never faltering. "Men always need a little... guidance, don''t they? Maybe you could pass that on to your dear friend as well."


    Her meaning was clear-she was getting territorial about Eleanor''s recent interactions withn.


    Joy rolled her eyes. "Well, take your time, Miss Shannon. I''ll be on my way."


    Vanessa seized the moment. "Six months along and you''re out shopping alone? No assistant or housekeeper to help carry things? Your husband lets you run errands by yourself? Isn''t that a bit much?"


    Her tone was sweet, but the barb was obvious-she was mocking Joy''s circumstances.


    Joy simply stroked her belly, her smile serene and radiant. "No need to worry, Miss Shannon. I like being out and about, and I wanted to pick something out for my husband myself." She paused deliberately, then added, "You and Mr. Goodwin have been together for years, haven''t you? Howe you still haven''t—” Her eyes drifted meaningfully to Vanessa''s perfectly t stomach. "Oh, I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have asked." Then, as if out of concern, she added, "I''ve heard the specialists at Ashford General are great with fertility issues. Maybe you should check them out?"