Eleanor frowned in thought. What wasn ying at? Was he worried her presence would upset Vanessa in some way, and that''s why he wanted her to stay away?


    "Miss Sutton, Miss Shannon is, after all, the only viable donor in the world," Dr. Smith exined. "Mr. Goodwin is concerned your presence might make her feel... uneasy."


    Eleanor understood instantly. Vanessa was still givingn a hard time. He was worried that having his ex-wife conduct experiments on her would provoke Vanessa into refusing to cooperate. To keep her calm,n was being exceptionally considerate.


    "Fine," Eleanor said coolly. "I''ll stay out of sight."


    Dr. Smith let out a sigh of relief. "Of course, I would prefer you to be involved every step of the way, but as long as it doesn''t impede our progress, we can make this temporary arrangement."


    "I understand," Eleanor nodded. She knew Vanessa''s type all too well. She''d hadn wrapped around her finger for ten years; she was clearly very skilled at getting what she wanted. For Evelyn''s future, Eleanor was willing topromise her own feelings and principles. "I will cooperate. Just let me know in advance when I need to make myself scarce."


    "Thank you for your understanding," Dr. Smith said, then added, "I hear you and Dr. Windsor are on very good terms. I''ve invited him for an academic exchange this Wednesday. Perhaps you''d like to join us?"


    Eleanor smiled. "Of course, I''ll be there."


    Serena arrived home at six in the evening and saw her brother''s car, knowing he was back. "Grandma, where''s my brother?" she asked as she walked in.


    "Where else? Busy in his study," Magdalen replied from the sofa, absorbed in the evening news, a daily ritual of hers.


    Serena hurried upstairs, pushed open the door ton''s study, and closed it behind her. "Brother," she began urgently, "who is this donor? When will she agree to cooperate with the experiment?"


    "It doesn''t matter who told me! Just tell me, is it true that the person who can save Mom and me is refusing to help? What does she want?" Serena''s voice wasced with anxiety. "Mom is looking worse every day. We can''t afford to wait."


    "Serena, calm down,"n said, his voice firm.


    "I heard everything! She''s the only match in the world. If she won''t cooperate, what are we going to do?" Serena''s voice cracked, and she was on the verge of tears. "Brother, cant you just tell me who she i cargo beg her. I''ll beg her to save our family, to save Mom


    "Don''t be ridiculous,"n''s tone sharpened. "The donor''s identity is confidential: As for her cooperation there are procedures and preparations that take time. Your job is to focus on getting better. You don''t need to worry about any of this."


    His stern rebuke seemed to calm her. She looked at his cold,posed face, and


    the seriousness in his eyes was strangely reassuring.


    "I have everything under control,"n said, rising and walking over to her, his tone softening slightly. "You just need to listen to Dr. Smith and cooperate with the treatment. Nothing will go wrong."


    "Really? Are Mom and I really going to be okay?" Serena asked, her eyes red.


    "Trust me,"n said, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "I won''t let anything happen to you."


    Only then did Serena feel a sense of relief as she returned to her room.


    "I''ll do it," Vanessa had written. It was followed by another message: "Butn, don''t forget the promise you made me."<pn stared at the screen for a few seconds before his long fingers typed a single word in reply: "Fine."