His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.


    Gavin understood and took the phone out to the balcony to answer.


    "Miss Shannon, how can I help you?" Gavin asked politely.


    "Gavin, where''sn? I''ve been trying to call him, but it won''t go through. Is he busy?" Vanessa''s voice was as gentle and cheerful as always.


    "Mr. Goodwin is in a meeting and can''t take calls right now. You can tell me if it''s important," Gavin said.


    "Oh, it''s nothing, Gavin. I just wanted to see how he was doing," Vanessa said with augh.


    "Mr. Goodwin is fine. You don''t need to worry, Miss Shannon."


    "Alright then, I won''t bother you," Vanessa said before hanging up.


    Gavin returned to his seat with the phone in his hand. In the past, no matter how impatient Mr. Goodwin was, he would always maintain a basic level of courtesy. But now that Vanessa had gotten so much, he no longer felt the need to put on an act.


    Gavin reviewed every document that came across his desk for a signature. He had, of course, seen the contract transferring a portion of Yeaton Holdings'' shares to Vanessa. That three-billion-dor stake was likely Mr. Goodwin''s final transaction with her.


    Since bingn''s assistant, Gavin had frequent dealings with Vanessa and was involved in many of their affairs. Over the years, he saw her appetite for more only grow.


    Vanessa''s career in the arts was built not only on her own efforts but also on a foundation of money. Gavin clearly remembered five years ago, when Vanessa was


    mpeting


    in an international piano Competition, Mr. Goodwin had personally flown out to deal with the judges and sponsors. In the end, Vanessa took home a prestigious trophy that solidified her status as a world-ss pianist, an achievement she unted endlessly on social media.


    Not to mention her jewelry. Vanessa


    had a voracious appetite for


    diamonds and would often ask Mr


    Goodwin to apany her to


    auctions to bid on pieces she fancied. Gavin had personally handled the paperwork for at least three pieces worth terts, of millions of dors. Sometimes, she would insist Mr. Goodwin attend the


    auctions with her in person.


    Materially, Mr. Goodwin had never shortchanged her. In fact, he gave her almost anything she asked for.


    And Vanessa''s greed was such that she had stopped just short of demanding the title of Mrs. Goodwin.


    Two years ago, Gavin had assumed Vanessa was his boss''s overseas mistress. After all, the executives he''d worked for before had them scattered all over the globe, so it seemed perfectly normal for his new boss to have one too.


    ef.ne


    What Gavin could never understand, however, wasn''s behavior. He was generous with material things but emotionally distant and evasive, Whenever Mr. Goodwin was in Drexford, Vanessa would find excuse after excuse to stay the night at his vi, only to have Gavin sent to drive her home in the end.


    It happened more times than Gavin could count.


    But it was clear to Gavin that Vanessa was deeply in love with his boss. Her desire for his affection was far stronger than her desire for material wealth.


    She often acted as if he were her boyfriend, and anyone not in the know would have easily mistaken their rtionship.


    As for why his boss never rified his rtionship with Vanessa, Gavin figured it was a strategy to keep the peace. After all, Vanessa wore her ambition and intensity on her sleeve; she wasn''t as quiet, obedient, and easily satisfied as Eleanor had been.


    Gavin vividly remembered one particr incident. Mr. Goodwin had returned to the country after a six-month business trip in Drexford, and Eleanor hade to pick him up from the airport in the middle of the night.


    Mr. Goodwin had spent a solid week in transnational negotiations and was utterly exhausted. When Eleanor saw him emerge, she ran through the crowd to meet him, her eyes fixed on his face. "Are you tired?" she had asked softly.


    Mr. Goodwin was so drained he didn''t even want to speak. He simply reached out and ruffled her hair. In response, Eleanor had beamed, her eyes shining with love and concern.