"Wait,"n said, stopping her as she turned to leave.


    Eleanor looked back at him, waiting.


    Hisposure had returned. "I will consider what you''ve said," he stated. "And I will handle Vanessa. But I need you to understand something. I will pay any price to save my family and ensure Evelyn''s future."


    His words didn''t surprise her. She had always known him to be ruthless, a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.


    "But I need you to promise me something," he said, his gaze locking onto hers.


    Seeing hismitment to saving their daughter, Eleanor''s icy demeanor softened slightly. "What is it?"


    "This information must remain absolutely confidential. You cannot tell anyone, especially not Vanessa."


    Eleanor''s brow furrowed.


    "I have a legally binding non-disclosure agreement with her," Ian exined. "It explicitly states that all information rted to her status as a donor is protected. Without her express consent, she has the right to terminate all... cooperation." He seemed to emphasize thest word.


    Eleanor listened in silence, her eyes downcast.


    "Eleanor, the sess of Smith''s therapy, and any future treatment Evelyn might need, depends on her continued cooperation. I cannot risk losing that." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to an almost pleading tone. "So, until I can convince her to agree to the new n, can you please keep this to yourself? Do it... for our daughter."


    He knew exactly how to y her. He always knew her weaknesses. And their daughter was the greatest of them all.


    Eleanor looked up. Everything he had revealed made one thing painfully clear: Vanessa had held power over him for a decade. Their rtionship was aplex mix of transaction and emotion, but none of that mattered now. For her daughter, she had topromise.


    "Fine," Eleanor said. "I promise. I won''t say a word to anyone until you''ve persuaded her."


    His intense gaze lingered on her. "Is there anything else you want to ask?"


    "No," she replied, her voice once again cool and distant.


    Without another word, she turned and left his office.


    After she was gone,n stood frozen for a few seconds, a powerful emotion threatening to shatter his carefully constructed calm. He closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temples. When he opened them again, the turmoil was gone teced by a cold resolute cidity. He had shut down every personal feeling that might cloud his judgment.


    Bet


    He didn''t doubt Eleanor''s diagnosis for a second Taking a deep breath, he picked


    hit his phone and dialed


    his sister''s number.


    "Hey, bro!" Serena''s voice sounded unusually listless.


    "Where are you?"n asked.


    "At home. Where else would I be? I''m so tiredtely," sheined.


    "Gavin is on his way to pick you up. You''reing with me."


    "I don''t want to."


    "Don''t be difficult,"nmanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    Serena was clearly taken aback by his seriousness. "...Okay, fine," she mumbled.


    Ian instructed Gavin to get her immediately, then left the office himself.


    An hourter, in the main testing hall of Smith''sboratory, Serena looked around in confusion. "Gavin, where are we? This doesn''t look like hospital. What is this ce?


    "Miss Goodwin," Gavin replied formally, "this is a private researchboratory


    owned by Mr. Goodwin."