Just as one of the nurses was about to answer Serena, another figure walked in.


    Seeing her, the two nurses exchanged a quick look, offered a smiling greeting "Dr. Sutton"-and quickly scurried away.


    Serena watched them go, certain that Eleanor must know who this Miss Shannon


    was.


    She decided to test the waters. "Ellie, who is the Miss Shannon they were just talking about?"


    Eleanor turned on the faucet and began to wash her hands with a slow, deliberate motion. Her tone was cid. "It''s not Vanessa. It''s just a girl named Shannoning in for some blood tests."


    Serena gave a slightly forced smile. "Oh, I didn''t know this ce was open to the public."


    "It''s a medical aid program," Eleanor replied matter-of-factly.


    Serena felt a secret wave of relief. At least it wasn''t Vanessa. For a moment there, she had almost been sure it was.


    Eleanor left first, and Serena returned to her mother''s room shortly after.


    Back in her office, Eleanor sat for a moment, then stood up and walked toward the conference roomn was using. She knocked once before pushing the door open.n was standing by the window on a call. Seeing her, he quickly wrapped it up. "Is something wrong?" he asked, turning to face her, his gaze intense.


    Eleanor got straight to the point, her tone strictly professional. "Vanessa will be here tomorrow for her tests."


    "I''ll make the arrangements," Ian''s low voice followed her.


    As Eleanor reached for the door, he suddenly called out, "Eleanor."


    She paused but didn''t turn around.


    more. In the end, all that came out was, "Thank you. For everything."


    Eleanor gave no reaction. She opened the door and walked out.


    Back in her office, Eleanor reflected


    on the situation. She had overheard the nurses in the restroom and, putting it together with the Goodwin women''s presence, she had


    Correctly guessed that get


    told them Vanessa was the donor. Likewise, Vanessa was unaware of Gina''s condition or the fact that Serena had inherited the illness.


    There was only one reasonn would keep this from Vanessa: it would give her


    more leverage, and he would have to meet even greater demands.


    Eleanor just wanted Vanessa to cooperate without causing trouble or refusing at thest minute. It was better to head off any potential. problems. That''s why she had gone to remindn about Vanessa''s appointment, in case it had slipped his mind amidst all his other responsibilities.


    If she weren''t so desperate to find a cure and secure her daughter''s future, she


    wouldn''t have bothered to meddle at all.


    The next morning, Vanessa arrived


    at theb on schedule. She was no longer surprised to see Eleanor there, but she disliked the sight of her in white coat it made her feel like ab rat under Eleanor''s observation.


    Before the blood draw, Vanessa suddenly asked, "Is Mr. Goodwin here? Could you please ask him toe in?"


    Eleanor frowned. Dr. Smith nced at her, as if the decision to fetchn rested solely with her.


    Eleanor turned to the nurse. "Please ask him toe."


    The nurse left immediately. Vanessa hadn''t brought her manager today, so she was alone. Soon, footsteps approached, andn entered with the nurse.


    Seeing him, Vanessa''s lips curved into a smile. "Ian, I''m a little scared. Can you stay with me?"


    Eleanor seemed to have anticipated this. She simply turned to Dr. Smith and said, "I''ll leave it to you, Doctor." Then, without another word, she turned and left the room.<pn''s eyes followed her until the door closed, cutting off his view.