So whenn said he would find a cure, he was stuck here? The donor wouldn''t cooperate? How could their mother''s illness wait? The key to her and her mother''s survival was in this person''s hands, and they were still haggling with her brother over terms? Who was it? What would it take for them to save her mother?


    As Serena stepped back inside from the balcony and into the spacious central hall, she saw a figure walking in, carrying aptop bag.


    It was Eleanor.


    She wore a simple, well-tailored suit and moved with purpose, her entire demeanor projecting a distinct schrly presence.


    Serena froze, instinctively wanting to hide. A wave of shame, embarrassment, and avoidance washed over her. She thought of all the cruel things she had said to Eleanor-mocking her for thinking she could hold on ton, ridiculing her for acting so high and mighty.


    And now, here she was, a person waiting for Eleanor to save her life.


    Eleanor saw Serena too. As their eyes met, Serena flinched and looked away. Eleanor, however, showed no emotion and walked directly toward the coreb area, where an assistant greeted her warmly.


    A short whileter, Eleanor appeared at Serena''s bedside, discussing her condition with Dr. Smith. Serena hugged her knees and bit her lip, her eyes downcast.


    Eleanor observed Serena while speaking with Dr. Smith in fluent French, calmly analyzing the data. To them, Serena was Test Subject Number One.


    In that moment, Serena finally understood Eleanor''s true worth and capability. A sharp, absurd thought suddenly pierced her mind: *Will Eleanor get revenge on me?* After all, Serena was about to be her test subject. If Eleanor wanted to harm her, it would be as simple as a single thought.


    "Miss Goodwin, may I ask you a few questions?" Eleanor said, sitting down, her gaze holding the dispassionate scrutiny of a researcher.


    Serena looked up and met Eleanor''s eyes. They were clear, calm, and filled with professional rigor-not a trace of the disgust or smugness she had expected.


    "How has your sleep been recently? Any sudden headaches or heart difort?" Eleanor asked evenly.


    Serena, taken aback, answered automatically. "I haven''t been sleeping well. I get migraines and my heart races for no reason."


    Eleanor listened intently. "And your appetite?"


    "I can''t eat. I don''t have much of an appetite," Serena mumbled, looking down.


    "These are all normal reactions to your current condition. There''s no need to panic," Eleanor said, observing her for a few seconds. Try to rx. Anxiety itself can effect your physical stats. If you can''t sleep, there''s a mild sleeping aid you can take with very few side effects."


    She wrote a name on a piece of paper from her notebook, tore it off, and handed


    it to Serena. "You can give this a try."


    Serena froze, staring at the


    prescription. The thought that Eleanor would seek revenge now seemed utterly ridiculous and Vile


    Eleanor was genuinely trying to save her


    A wave of immense shame washed over her. Her nose tingled, and she lowered


    her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I... I''m sorry."


    Eleanor seemed not to hear. She turned, gave instructions to an assistant, and


    left.


    Serena stared after her, the


    unanswered apology hanging in the air. She bit her lip and clutched the piece of paper, a storm of emotions swirling within her. Even if Eleanor had heard, it was only natural that she wouldn''t ept her apology.


    In the coreb area, Dr. Smith and Eleanor were discussing a private matter.


    Eleanor''s expression was serious. "So, his intention is that I am not to be seen in front of Vanessa?"


    "Mr. Goodwin must have his reasons. Would you be able to cooperate, Miss Sutton?" Dr. Smith asked.