The driver pulled smoothly into the flow of traffic.


    Vanessa leaned back against the seat, took out herpact, and carefully checked her makeup, touching up her lipstick.


    The car arrived at the main entrance of the Goodwin & Co. headquarters, and Vanessa, donning a pair of sunsses, stepped out.


    The receptionist at the front desk recognized her instantly and hurried over. "Miss Shannon, wee."


    Vanessa, her face half-hidden by the sunsses, gave a slight nod and headed straight for the executive elevator. She didn''t need an appointment; the front desk had standing orders. The receptionist practically jogged to keep up, quickly swiping a keycard to call the elevator for her.


    The receptionist escorted Vanessa all the way to the executive floor, wheren Goodwin''s private secretary was waiting. "Miss Shannon, good afternoon. Mr. Goodwin is still in a meeting. If you''d please wait a moment, I can show you to the VIP lounge."


    "Thank you," Vanessa replied with an elegant nod.


    In the lounge, an assistant served coffee and refreshments before discreetly leaving.


    Vanessa walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the sprawling cityscape below, savoring the view from the top.


    Just as the meeting was about to end, the secretary returned to let her know. Vanessa nced at the time, then left the lounge and waited in the hallway near the conference room.


    Five minutester,n emerged, nked by two senior executives. He was speaking in a low,manding voice, his handsome face stern and his presence overwhelming.


    A radiant smile instantly appeared on Vanessa''s face as she walked toward him. n."


    The executives obviously knew who she was and greeted her politely. "Miss Shannon."


    Ellington was also in the group leaving the meeting. He saw Vanessa standing besiden and froze mid-stride, aborting his n to approach him. Ian then led Vanessa toward his office.


    Since Ellington had urgent business to discuss withn privately, he had no choice but to wait in the lounge. While he waited, he decided to call Eleanor Sutton.


    "Hello, Ellington," Eleanor answered.


    "Ms. Sutton, are you free around lunchtime? I have a few documents that need your signature."


    "I''m free now. You cane over," Eleanor said.


    Ellington checked his watch. "I also need to discuss a project with M Goodwin, but he''s with Miss Shannon at the moment. I''m not sure when he''ll be avable.


    "It''s fine. I''ll be free until two this afternoon," Eleanor replied.


    "Perfect," Ellington said. "I''ll head over as soon as I''m done here."


    Ten minutester, an assistant came to fetch Ellington, informing him thatn was waiting in his office.


    As Ellington walked toward the


    office, he ran into Vanessa, who was on her way out. She seemed to be in reeted him first.


    hits and


    "Hello, Ellington."


    "Miss Shannon," Ellington responded politely.


    Vanessa paused. "Are you managing Eleanor''s assets now?"


    "Yes. Ms. Sutton is focused on her own career," Ellington said, unwilling to borate. He moved past her and went inton''s office.


    Ellington quickly sat down and handed him a project report. "Mr. Goodwin, this is


    the preliminary data from the smart hotel pilot program. Please take a look."


    scanning the pages. He nodded in approval. "A thirty-five percent profit margin. That''s five points higher


    than projected: Excellent work."


    "Yes, sir. The next step is to expand the pilot program. We''ll have a detailed proposal for you as soon as possible."


    "Good. You''ll handlepany matters,"n said with a curt nod. "Eleanor''s workes first. Leave her to it unless it''s urgent."