Vanessa was still in the hospital. Her agent had just handed her a te of freshly cut fruit when her phone vibrated. She picked it up and saw the message was from Faye, with a video attached. She nced at her agent. "Laverne, could you step out for a minute?"


    As Vanessa''s agent, Laverne was used to being dismissed like this. It was just how Vanessa operated. "Remember to eat some fruit," she said before leaving. Once the door was closed, Vanessa pressed y.


    The video showed a frail-looking Eleanor leaning against the man named Mansfield. He had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, his gaze filled with unconcealed worry and tenderness. The intimacy of the gesture made them look like a couple.


    Vanessa typed back, "Where are you?"


    "Kingston. Professor Langley is having surgery. I came to help out and happened to catch this."


    Vanessa frowned. "Aren''t you supposed to be taking the assessment today? What are you doing in Kingston?"


    "I asked Joel for an extension. He agreed to let me take itter."


    Vanessa felt a flicker of relief. She watched the video again, a thoughtful expression on her face. After a moment, she forwarded it to Henry Holt on WhatsApp.


    Almost immediately, Henry replied, stunned. "Vanessa, who sent you this?"


    "My sister filmed it in Kingston," Vanessa wrote. "Henry, I tried to warn you, didn''t I? Eleanor is just ying with Xavier''s feelings. Now do you believe me?" She quickly added, "This video is just for you and me. Please don''t share it. I don''t want to damage Eleanor''s reputation."


    A momentter, her phone rang. It was Henry.


    "Hello? Henry, did you see my message? Remember, don''t share it."


    "Why are you still trying to protect her reputation at a time like this Henry''s voice wasced with anger.


    xavier! Are we


    "Shee ying with Xaver!


    supposed to just cover for her?"


    "Henry, I know you care about Xavier, but please don''t show this to him. It will only upset him."


    "Maybe he needs to be upset! Maybe this is what it will take for him to finally see what kind of woman he''s fallen for," Henry retorted, his voice rising.


    "Look, I just wanted you to see it. I''m tired now. I need to rest."


    Henry''s tone immediately softened. "Didn''t sleep well against night?"


    "No. The doctor has me on such a strict diet. I can''t eat what I want, and it''s affecting my mood."


    "Just get through these next few days," he soothed. "After that, I''ll take you out for all your favorite foods."


    "We''ll see. I''m hanging up now."


    Vanessa ended the call with a faint, triumphant smile. She elegantly picked up a slice of apple and took a slow, deliberate bite, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.


    The image of a virtuous, independent woman that Eleanor had so carefully cultivated in Xavier''s mind was about to shatter.


    Ultimately Eleanor had to end up with someone. This military man seemed like a good fit. If he took


    inor and her daughter away from Ashford City, far fromn''s circle, it would be a huge help to Vanessa.


    A thought suddenly struck her, and her chewing slowed. She looked down at her own slender wrist and lost her appetite. Tossing the apple back onto the te, she picked up her phone as it buzzed with message from her agent.