The news immediately sparked spection that Garth Ellington was the clear frontrunner for the permanent position.


    Eleanor, having met him a few times, felt he would be perfect for the role.


    She had just finished reading the news and was about to get back to work when her phone lit up with a new message.


    "I''m on leave. I''ll be back in Ashford City tomorrow." -Mansfield Ellington.


    Eleanor hesitated, unsure how to respond. With his father now the acting Vice President and a likely future presidential candidate, Mansfield''s own status would be elevated to a level she couldn''t ignore. She clutched her phone for a moment before setting it back down without replying.


    Half an hourter, new headlines were dominating the news cycle. As Eleanor scrolled through them, one in particr caught her eye.


    **[BREAKING: Goodwin & Co. CEO Ian Goodwin and Rumored Girlfriend Vanessa Shannon Seemingly Go Public. Are Wedding Bells Finally Ringing?]** Eleanor frowned. She remembered that Dr. Smith was supposed to be returning withn and wanted to check on his arrival time, so she tapped the link.


    However, the article only featured photos ofn and Vanessa at a private airport. In the pictures,n was dressed in a long ck coat, with the stylish, impably made-up Vanessa by his side. One shot showed him turning back to wait for her; another captured her casually tucking her hair behind her ear as she followed him, a sweet smile on her face.


    Eleanor scrolled to the bottom, but there were no photos of Dr. Smith or his team. Instead, the page was filled withments from the public.


    "Wow, this has to be the real deal! My goddess is finally getting the recognition she deserves!"


    "It''s about time Mr. Goodwin made it official. My goddess is so beautiful. They look perfect together."


    "They''ve just been private about it. They''ve been together for years!"


    "The lives of the super-rich are so dramatic, but you can''t deny they''re a gorgeous couple."


    Eleanor swiped back to her home screen and dialedn''s number directly. Her daughter''s health was on the line and she needed to know What was going on with Dr. Smith''s team.


    A low, tired, yet gentle voice answered. "Eleanor."


    "Didn''t Dr. Smith''s team fly back with you?" she demanded.


    "They did,"n confirmed. "They''re already at theb."


    Eleanor''s brow furrowed. "Are you sure?"


    A faint chuckle came from the other end. "I''m not lying to you. I''m sure." He then turned the question back on her. "Why are you so concerned?"


    "It''s nothing," Eleanor said, her tone turning cold again. "I want Evelyn''s genes re-


    tested, and I intend to be present for the entire process."


    "Of course,"n agreed immediately. "Whatever you want."


    Eleanor hung up. It seemed the media had simply focused on the celebrity angle ofn and Vanessa ignoring everyone else and causing her to misunderstand. She had been Worried that Dr. Smith''s team hadn''t returned.


    A littleter, when she checked the news again, the trending story aboutn and Vanessa was gone. Ian


    must have seen it. True to his


    nature he would never tolerate such a high-profile disy of his life.


    At Vanessa''s vi, Laverne was giving her an update.


    "The story was trending a minute ago, and now it''s just... gone."


    "It''s fine.n must have had it taken down," Vanessa said, sipping a fruit juice.


    "But I have to admit, the photographer did a great job with those pictures."