person, in particr, could see her. He was certain that person would be immensely proud of the woman Eleanor had be.


    That person was her father, Elliot Sutton.


    She had perfectly inherited her father''s brilliance, resilience, and passion for research.


    Eleanormanded the room with confidence and poise, fielding questions from the military representatives with ease and earning their consistent approval.


    Just then,n''s phone vibrated. He nced at the screen, then stood up and slipped out the back door of the conference room.


    He found a quiet spot in the hallway and answered the call. "Smith."


    "Mr. Goodwin, I''m sorry to bother you," Dr. Smith''s voice came through. "As per the contract, we''ve contacted Miss Shannon multiple times to request she fulfill her blood donation obligations, but she keeps making excuses. Today, she''s stopped answering our calls altogether. Ourb''s blood supply is critically low—"


    Although Eleanor had found a cure for the underlying condition, the research hadn''t stopped. Ian needed to continue his work in that area.


    "Thank you, Mr. Goodwin." Dr. Smith hung up.


    A few secondster, Vanessa''s voice, a deliberate, sultry drawl, came through the line. n? What a surprise. You''re actually calling me."


    "Why did you refuse the call from Smith''sb?"n asked, his tone icy and cutting straight to the point without any pleasantries.


    Vanessa was silent for a moment. "I haven''t been feeling welltely. It''s not a good time for me to donate blood."


    "You don''t get to decide whether you can donate or not. Don''t test my patience,"n''s voice was devoid of any warmth.


    Vanessa''s tone grew sharp. "Ian, am I not human? Do you see me as some kind of animal? Your mother''s illness has a cure now, so why are you still forcing me to donate blood? Are you trying to kill me?"


    A sh of annoyance crossedn''s eyes, and his voice wasced with impatience. "You took the benefits so you will fulfill your obligations. Be at theb tomorrow at nine in the morning I don''t want to heacany more excuses."


    He hung up before Vanessa could respond.


    In his vi, Walden Wells''s girlfriend, Vanessa, mmed her phone onto the bed. She ran a hand through her long hair, her face pale with rage.


    s coldness made her feel like a tool to be used and discarded at his whim,pletely stripped of her dignity.


    Walden happened to be home today. He came out of his study to find Vanessa fuming.


    "What''s wrong? Who''s gotten my girl so upset?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.


    Vanessa''s expression immediately shifted to one of distress. She wrapped her arms around his neck her eyes welling with tears. "Walden, itsfan-hes forcing me to go to hisb


    to donate blood. He doesn''t care if my body can handle it."


    Walden''s face darkened. "Doesn''t he know you''re preparing for IVF?"


    "Even if he knew, he wouldn''t care about me. Walden, what am I going to do? I''ll never be free of him."


    "Nonsense. You''re my woman now. He can''t just order you around."


    "Walden, I''m so scared!"


    "Don''t worry, I''m here. He can''t do anything to you. I''ll have my legal team continue to go after him."