The terror of that night could never be allowed to happen again.


    On the road, Eleanor noticed the military-green SUV behind her and understood it was Mansfield''s arrangement. He had mentioned itst night. He was always so thoughtful, yet never overbearing.


    When she arrived at theb, she saw the SUV park about thirty feet away. Eleanor sent a message to Mansfield: "I see your men''s car. Isn''t this too much trouble for them?"


    "Protecting a top scientist is part of our duty," Mansfield replied instantly.


    Eleanor read the reply and couldn''t help but smile. It was the perfect reason, one that eased any sense of pressure.


    "Please thank your men for me."


    "You''re worth it."


    Eleanor smiled again. This feeling of being cherished was truly heartwarming.


    Inside theb, Eleanor immersed herself in her work. At noon, Serena walked into her office with a list of medications and treatments she had researched.


    "Ellie, can you spare ten minutes to look at this for me? I''ve picked out some medicine for my brother. Do you think it can bring his hair color back?" Serena asked earnestly.


    Eleanor couldn''t refuse her sincere request. She looked over the ingredients in the medications Serena had found. While they might have some effect, they would certainly have side effects.


    "I''ve already told your brother to get a physical. Once we have the results, you can ask a doctor to prescribe professional medication for him," Eleanor suggested.


    "My brother hates hospitals. Will he actually go for a check-up?" Serena pouted. "He already promised he would," Eleanor said.


    Serena''s eyes lit up, and she leaned in excitedly. "Ellie, my brother listens to you so well now?"


    Eleanor felt a little ufortable under her teasing gaze and looked down at her files. "I just reminded him to take care of his health."


    "See? He only listens to you," Serena said, her voice eager as she bit her lip. "Ellie, have you seen the way he looks at you? He''s totally—"


    "Serena," Eleanor looked up, interrupting her. "Your brother and I have been divorced for two years."


    "Ellie, I can tell he deeply regrets it—" Serena tried to continue.


    Eleanor calmly cut her off again. "Serena, please don''t. I''ve already started a new life."


    Serena''s mouth fell open in shock. "Ellie, what do you mean by a new life? Are you are you dating someone?"


    Eleanor nodded gently. "Yes, I''m in love with someone."


    Serena''s eyes widened, and she leaned in closer. "When did this happen? Is it Xavier, or that soldier?"


    "His name is Mansfield," Eleanor said, her voice soft and tender.


    Serena looked at the gentleness in Eleanor''s eyes in disbelief, her mind going nk for a few seconds. She asked urgently, "Does my brother know you''re dating?"


    Eleanor nodded lightly again. "He knows."


    Serena''s jaw dropped. The pieces of the puzzle she couldn''t solve suddenly clicked into ce.


    So, the story behindn''s hair turning white overnight was that Eleanor had moved on to a new rtionship.


    "Ellie, is there really no chance for


    you and my brother anymore?" Serena asked, a sudden sadness in her voice. Deep down, she had always hoped Eleanor would be her sister-inw again


    "Serena, you can''t force feelings," Eleanor said, rising to pat her on the shoulder before heading out of the office.


    Serena felt a heavy weight in her heart. She ached forn and deeply regretted that he had lost his chance with Eleanor.


    Serena clenched her fists. All of this


    was vanessa''s fault if she had just takenn''s money and stayed


    away,


    none of this would have happened.