It seemed her only option was to wait for the doctor and Gavin to arrive before she could leave.


    Eleanor Sutton stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, resigning herself to the wait. She took a moment to admire the brilliant blue sky and thezy drift of white clouds outside.


    Thoughn Goodwin''s eyes were closed, waves of dizziness and a pounding headache from the high fever washed over him. Still, he could sense Eleanor''s presence nearby and fought to keep his heavy eyelids from shuttingpletely.


    "Ahem!" he let out a low cough.


    Eleanor turned to see he had managed to sit up again. She walked over to the counter, poured a ss of warm water, and brought it to him.


    Taking the ss,n looked up at Eleanor and murmured, "Thank you."


    "The doctor should be on his way," Eleanor said, her tone t.


    After speaking, she instinctively retreated to the window, turning her back to him again.


    Just then, the doorbell finally rang.


    Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to answer it.


    It was Dr. Lyman, apanied by Gavin.


    Eleanor stepped aside to let them in, then said to Gavin, "He''s all yours now."


    Remembering something, she turned back and added, "Joslyn is making some soup upstairs. She''ll bring it downter."


    "Of course," Gavin nodded quickly.


    Nearby, Gavin sighed. He really should have insisted on canceling yesterday''s meeting instead of letting Mr. Goodwin work through the night while sick.


    As the medication dripped from


    IV bag inton''s veins, the


    BUT


    exhaustion from the fever,bined with the effects of the drug, finally


    pulled him into a deep sleally


    Gavin carefully covered him with a nket while Dr. Lyman gave detailed


    instructions, promising to returnter that afternoon.


    At three in the afternoon,n awoke from his heavy slumber. The high fever had


    subsided to a low-grade one, and his mind felt much clearer.


    "Mr. Goodwin, you''re awake," Gavin said, immediately approaching him.


    Gavin hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss Sutton left this morning."


    "Mr. Goodwin, you should have some soup. Joslyn also sent down some appetizers," Gavin suggested.


    "Mr. Goodwin, how are you feeling?" Smith asked with concern from the other end.


    "Miss Sutton mentioned it briefly during our meeting earlier."


    A flicker of warmth crossedn''s eyes before his tone became serious again. "Doctor, I want to terminate the contract with Vanessa Shannon. Is now a good time?"


    On the other end, Smith mulled it over for a few seconds. "We certainly don''t need Miss Shannon''s donations anymore, but we could keep her as a backup—"


    A cold glint appeared inn''s eyes, his voice low and resolute. "No. I want to end


    all dealings with herpletely."


    "I understand


    Smith heard the


    resolve inn''s voice and stopped trying to persuade him. "Since you''ve made your decision, Mr. Good with ''!! prepare the legal documents for the termination agreement as soon as possible. Should we notify Miss Shannon?"


    "I''ll speak with her myself."