"Understood. I''ll take my leave, then."


    Just after Ellington left,n''s phone rang.


    It was Serena Goodwin. He answered immediately. "What is it?"


    "Brother! Mom just copsed! I''ve called an ambnce to take her to Ashford General Hospital. You have toe, quickly!" Serena''s frantic voice crackled through the phone.


    In theb, Eleanor was focused on her experiment when she heard her assistant


    at the door. "Miss Shannon, what a surprise to see you here."


    Eleanor frowned and looked up. Through the ss window, her eyes met Vanessa''s.


    Vanessa smiled and gave a small wave-a gesture that was less of a greeting and more of a silent provocation.


    Eleanor recalled Ellington mentioning that Vanessa had met withn at Goodwin & Co. Her showing up here now meantn must have told her about the arrangement. There was no point in hiding in theb any longer.


    Ten minutester, Eleanor stepped out. Vanessa, who had been waiting in the nearby seating area, stood up and approached her. "Eleanor, you must be exhausted."


    Eleanor looked at her coolly. "What do you want?"


    Vanessa''s lips curved into a smile. "Nothing, really. I just came to drop off a report and thought I''d say hello. After all, you''re the researcher and I''m the sole donor. Shouldn''t we at least be on speaking terms?"


    "Don''t worry, I promisedn I would cooperate fully. I also hope you won''t let our personal history affect the progress of this research," Vanessa said, her eyes glinting with a triumphant light. "After all, this is about the most important person inn''s life."


    Eleanor pulled off herb gloves and tossed them into a medical waste bin. "In here," she said tly, "there are only data points and sample numbers. I couldn''t care less who the donor is."


    Vanessa''s ga?e softened into a reminiscent expression. "Do you know how thrilledn was when he found me all those years ago? His mother was on the verge of death, and was the one who saved her. Perhaps I should apologize l''apologize to you. During your marriage, he spent half of every year abroad with me."


    "Look, I told him not to tell you who I was, to save you the confusion and hurt. If you''re gonna be mad at anyone, be mad at me," Vanessa said, her voice full of pride, not apology.


    "Has being a donor given you a sense of aplishment?" Eleanor scoffed. Vanessa''s expression momentarily froze. "Eleanor, why must you be so hurtful? Whatn and I have is more than just a donor-recipient rtionship. We―"


    Eleanor cut her off with a coldugh. "The title of Mrs. Goodwin has been vacant for two years."


    The smile on Vanessa''s face faltered. "What''s that supposed to mean?" Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "Nothing."


    But the contempt in her tone was unmistakable. Vanessa clutched her purse, struggling to maintain herposure.


    Eleanor''s eyes swept over her forced smile. "You should probably askn if he ever ns on getting married again."


    With that, Eleanor turned and walked away. From behind her, she heard Vanessa''s defiant retort, "You''re lying."


    Eleanor didn''t bother to respond, her figure disappearing around the corner.


    Vanessa''s chest heaved. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. It had to be a lie Eleanor had concocted. The Goodwin family didn''t even have a formal heir yet. He had given bis daughter to Eleanor, so why wouldn''t he


    remarry? Was he nning to stay celibate for Eleanor''s sake?


    The thought was so ridiculous that Vanessa let out a bitterugh. The more she considered it, the more convinced she became that Eleanor was just trying to get under her skin.


    Vanessa smoothed her hair. If


    Eleanor thought she could break her


    that easily, she had severely


    underestimated her. Vanessa had


    gotten to where she was today by


    never bowing to fate.