Vanessa took a step closer, tilting her chin up with a smug smile. "Don''t be so cold, Eleanor. I just thought there was something you should know, to spare you any... unnecessary pain." Her words wereced with insinuation. "And to prevent you from holding on to any unrealistic fantasies about people you shouldn''t."


    Eleanor''s expression remained impassive. "Then say it. I''m busy."


    Vanessa let out a softugh, idly twisting arge diamond ring on her finger. "What I''m saying is," she drawled, "thatn and I might have some good news to share soon. I''m not sure if he''s mentioned it to you."


    Eleanor''s brow furrowed. Vanessa was fishing, trying to gauge her rtionship withn, or more specifically, trying to find out if he had told her about her role as the donor. Eleanor had made a promise ton, and she intended to keep it.


    "I have no interest in your affairs. You don''t need to inform me," she said, affecting an air of superiority.


    "Well, you know,n and I met long before you did," Vanessa purred. "Fate has a way of rewarding those who are patient."


    "What is it you''re trying to say?" Eleanor asked, her patience wearing thin.


    "You''ll never understand how important I am ton," Vanessa said, her eyes fixed on Eleanor, clearly hoping to see a flicker of pain or resentment. "So please, stop trying to get close to him just because you''re his ex-wife."


    A faint, mocking smile touched Eleanor''s lips. "Don''t worry. You two can get married whenever you like. I won''t stand in your way."


    "Is it because of that Major General Ellington? Are you nning to be with him now?" Vanessa pressed, convinced that Eleanor''s indifference must stem from having found a recement.


    "My personal life is none of your business," Eleanor said coolly. "You should spend less time worrying about me and more time gettingn to finally marry you."


    The smile on Vanessa''s face froze. For a second, it felt as if Eleanor could see right through her. Was it just her imagination?


    Eleanor noted her reaction. In the past, she would have believed Vanessa was untingn''s love for her. Now, she saw it for what it was: insecurity. She knew the kind of mann was. To him, vanessa''s value tar outweighed any affection he might feel. He was a businessman, first and foremost. Vanessa must have sensed that too, which was why she constantly needed to provoke his ex-wife to feel secure.


    Eleanor turned and walked away, leaving Vanessa standing alone in the hallway. Just then, Henry Holt passed by seeing vanessa he immediately approached his expression concerned. "What''s wrong?"


    Vanessa forced a smile. "Nothing."


    Kon


    But her pained expression told him otherwise. It was obvious she was upset. "Was it Eleanor again?" he asked, his tone hardening. "What did she say to you?"


    Vanessa lowered her eyes. "It was nothing, really. I must have done something to upset her."


    Her vague, long-suffering act worked perfectly, stoking Henry''s protective instincts and his resentment toward


    Eleanor He knew Eleanor''s recent


    sess had put her on a higher pedestal than Vanessa, and in his


    mind, Eleanor was the type to gloat.


    "Don''t let her get to you," Henry said, patting her shoulder. "Insecure people can''t stand to see others happy."


    Just then, a slender figure appeared at the end of the hallway, heading for the restroom. She stopped short when she saw the two of them.


    It was Selma Quigley, Henry''s arranged date.