Not long after Vanessa left, Ellington arrived at the research facility.


    A receptionist led him to Eleanor''s office, where she had changed out of herb coat and was organizing data at her desk.


    "Ms. Sutton, I have a few documents that need your signature," Ellington said, handing them over.


    Eleanor took them, signed after a brief review, and handed them back. Ellington put the signed papers away and then presented another file.


    "Ms. Sutton, this is a revised organizational chart for Mr. Goodwin''s affiliatedpanies." He pointed to a small box on the periphery. "This is Grandrise Future Tech, a new subsidiary established this year with a registered capital of one billion. The legal representative is Miss Shannon herself, and its primary business partner is her father''spany, Yeaton Holdings."


    Ellington continued, "Miss Shannon is using Mr. Goodwin''s money and resources to pave the way for herself and the Yeatons. Mr. Goodwin acted swiftly to resolve the recent crisis at Yeaton Holdings; their stock barely dropped when the market opened today."


    He then produced another document, a breakdown of Yeaton Holdings'' share structure. "Grandrise Future Tech is not wholly owned by Goodwin & Co.; Yeaton Holdings also has a significant stake. A week ago, there was an internal transfer of shares at Yeaton Holdings. A portion of Rnd Yeaton''s shares were transferred to Miss Shannon''spany. As it stands, she effectively holds thirteen percent of Yeaton Holdings, valued at nearly three billion."


    Ellington was clearly puzzled by his findings, but Eleanor understood perfectly. Ian had paid three billion to ensure Vanessa''s cooperation in the experiment.


    Recent events all pointed to the same conclusion: Ian and Vanessa''s rtionship was far from simple. Beyond emotional needs, it was deeply entangled with business interests. For the past decade,n had elevated her, building her fame, introducing her to hiswork, and now, even securing her a stake in her family''spany. He had certainly done more than enough for her.


    "Thank you for looking into this for me," Eleanor said gratefully. "You can get back to your work."


    "If you need anything else, Ms. Sutton, please don''t hesitate to ask," Ellington said before taking his leave.


    Eleanor crumpled the two shareholder documents into a ball and tossed them into the trash. She had only snapped at Vanessa earlier because her arrogance had been unbearable, but it seemed her words had hit the mark.


    If Vanessa had truly wanted the title of Mrs. Goodwin,n would have given it to her right after their divorce. He wouldn''t have waited two years. It was clear now that tan''svish financial support was the real condition for her cooperation.


    Eleanor thought of the six sets of astronomically expensive jewelry Vanessa had received, worth two hundred and eighty million. That, too, had been part of his persuasion.


    Vanessa was a smart woman. She had leveraged her one and only bargaining chip withn to its absolute maximum.


    But it was obvious she still wasn''t satisfied. She had secured tangible wealth, yet she still craved the title and status of MES Goodwin. That was why she kept showing up in front of his ex-wife, seeking O validation and a sense of superiority.


    Eleanor shook her head, forcing her thoughts back to theputer screen.


    The disy showed a series of rare, active antibodies. In Gina Quinn''s samples, they had exhibited the remarkable ability to force malignant blood cells into regression, effectively stopping their growth.


    She stared at the results of an experiment she had run that morning. It had already managed to activate the patient''s own immune response-a true medical marvel.


    No wondern was willing to do anything to keep Vanessa by his side. She was, without a doubt, the Goodwin family''s only hope.


    At the hospital.


    P.n


    After a frantic effort by the medical team, Gina was conscious again. Lying in the hospital bed, she looked even thinner and more frail than before. As she looked at her son and daughter by her side, a sense of impending doom washed overher. She knew this was more than just a typical ailment of old age.


    She grippedn''s hand. "Ian, tell me the truth. What''s happening to me?"


    Beside him, Serena''s eyes filled with tears that began to stream down her face. She knelt by the bed. "Brother, just tell her," she pleaded. "She''s already in this state. She deserves to know."