Smith''s voice was calm as he responded, "Miss Shannon, ording to the


    contract, you will be liable for a substantial penalty for terminating the agreement unterally and without cause. Furthermore, we reserve the right to pursue additional damages for the interruption to our research and any losses incurred due to your withdrawal."


    Vanessa Shannon grew agitated again. "A penalty? Further damages? What about my health? What about my life? Don''t push your luck. I''m terminating the contract right now. My body is breaking down, and you can''t force me to do this." Smith tried to cate her. "Miss Shannon, please calm down. We can ask Mr. Goodwin toe and handle this. I''m sure he will take your health into consideration."


    "Then go get him! I''ll be waiting right here." Vanessa sat down and crossed her arms, looking as if she hade specifically to seen Goodwin.


    "Miss Shannon, a contract is a legally binding document. If your health is truly an issue, you will need to provide a diagnostic report from a certified medical institution," Dr. Smith advised seriously.


    "I''ll wait forn," Vanessa said, turning her face away.


    Outside the door, Serena Goodwin was about to go in and confront her, but Eleanor Sutton suddenly grabbed her wrist. "This isn''t something you should get involved in."


    Serena froze. Although Eleanor''s words were spoken quietly, Serena was surprisingly obedient and held herself back.


    Eleanor was right. This was a deal between her brother and Vanessa. Her getting involved wouldn''t resolve the core issue, so they would just have to wait for him to arrive.


    When Smith came out to make a call, he saw Eleanor standing in the hallway, but he had already dialedn''s number.


    "Hello, Mr. Goodwin. Could youe to theb? Miss Shannon is here making a scene about terminating her contract and says she needs to see you."


    "Alright, I''ll have her wait for you here." After getting a response, Smith turned to Eleanor. "El, Miss Shannon is inside. She wants to discuss terminating the agreement."


    Eleanor nodded and said to Serena, "You should go back to your room and rest. You don''t need to worry about what''s happening here."


    Serena bit her lip, desperately wanting to storm in and confront Vanessa. But she couldn''t ignore Eleanor''s words, so she suppressed her anger and turned to leave.


    Twenty minutester,n strode in from theb''s main lobby. He was dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, his steps steady and his expression stern, radiating an unmistakable air of authority.


    Smith walked up to meet him. "Mr. Goodwin, you''re here. Miss Shannon is inside."n gave a slight nod, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.


    "Ian." Vanessa immediately shot up from her chair, her voice tinged with pleasant surprise. "You''re finally here."


    "Dr. Smith, ask Eleanor to join us in the conference room for a meeting,"n said before giving Vanessa a brief, indifferent nce. "You too."


    Vanessa was taken aback, a sh of anger in her eyes. "Ian, this is something we can discuss privately. Why do you need to involve Eleanor? What does this have to do with her?"


    Eleanor was in her office working on some documents when a nurse peeked in. "Miss Sutton, Dr. Smith has requested your presence in Conference Room One for a meeting."


    Eleanor paused, then nodded and got up. Assuming it was to discuss a treatment n, she grabbed herptop and headed over.


    However, when she pushed open the door, she saw three people inside:n, Dr. Smith, and Vanessa.


    Eleanor frowned. Smith gestured for her toe in. "El, join us."


    Vanessa shot Eleanor a resentful re, her eyes filled with rejection and hostility.


    Eleanor sat down beside Smith with a neutral expression, not once looking at Vanessa.


    to three times the total sum of all payments received."


    Vanessa''s face went white. She shot to her feet. "Ian, is that reasonable? I saved


    your mother''s life, and now you''re making me pay you?"


    "You signed the contract yourself. The terms are clear, explicit, and legally binding. If you have an issue, Miss. Shannon, you can have your Jawyer file awsuit, an stated coldly.


    "Miss Shannon, I suggest you consider Mr. Goodwin''s proposal. We would all prefer to avoid this taking a turn for the worse." Smith said with a grave expression.


    "Alternatively,"n added, "you can choose not to pay the penalty. But you will then be held fully liable for all losses resulting from the project''s interruption a figure which may far exceed this amount."


    Vanessa gripped the edge of the table, her face pale. She bit her lip so hard she


    couldn''t speak.