A surge of delight shot through Vanessa, but her voice wasced with equal parts anxiety and concern. "Oh my god! How could this have happened? Walden, try not to worry too much. With modern medicine, I''m sure Tammy will be okay."


    "I''m heading over there now to see the situation for myself. You take care of yourself," Walden said before hanging up.


    After Vanessa put her phone down, the worried expression on her face vanished, reced by deep calction and a flicker of ecstasy.


    Tammy was in critical condition? This was wonderful news for her, a true blessing from fate.


    Walden only had one son. If Tammy didn''t make it, who would inherit Walden''s vast fortune?


    The answer, of course, would be the child in Vanessa''s womb.


    Wait, Walden would definitely be too busy to deal with her contract dispute withn now. He might even be despondent for a while. Vanessa rememberedn mentioning a new contract, one where he wouldn''t interfere with her marriage or having children.


    Maybe she could sign it first. Then she could marry Walden, have his child, and once he kicked the bucket, she would inherit his billions. Then she could use a portion of that to pay the massive penalty fee.


    Walden''s estate was worth hundreds of billions. Givingn ten billion would be nothing. She would stille out a winner for the rest of her life.


    The tion and scheming in Vanessa''s eyes settled into a n. She quickly cleared her thoughts. The most important thing was to keepn at bay; she couldn''t let him continue to drain her with these blood draws.


    She took a deep breath and told the driver, "Don''t go back to the vi. Take me to Goodwin & Co."


    Laverne was surprised. "Vanessa, you''re going to Goodwin & Co. ?"


    "I have to seen," Vanessa said, opening her purse. She took out apact mirror and a cushion foundation to touch up her makeup.


    She had several lipsticks in her makeup bag. She recalled a time she had put on lipstick and askedn if it looked good, and he had nodded at her.


    Though she no longer needed his approval, her hand still reached for the dusty rose lipstick.


    When Vanessa arrived in the lobby of Goodwin & Co., a receptionist came over to stop her. "Miss Shannon, I''m sorry, but you can''t go up."


    Vanessa nced at the receptionist. "I have important business withn."


    "We''ll need confirmation from Gavin before we can let you go up," the receptionist said with a polite but firm smile.


    Vanessa turned away and dialed Gavin''s number. He answered promptly. "Miss Shannon, can I help you?"


    "Gavin, isn in the office?"


    "Mr. Goodwin is in a meeting."


    "Tell him I''m willing to sign the new contract he mentioned. I''m in the lobby right now."


    Gavin was silent for a few seconds, clearly consulting withn. A momentter, he replied, "Miss Shannon, you cane up in ten minutes."


    The receptionist received a call and approached Vanessa again. "Miss Shannon, if you''ll please wait ten


    minutes, we''ll take you up to the executive offices."  fo


    Vanessa frowned with displeasure but waited patiently. Ten minutester, the receptionist guided her to the elevator bank.


    The elevator dinged as it arrived onn''s floor. Gavin was already waiting by the doors. "Miss Shannon, please follow me."


    He led her not towardn''s office,


    but to a conference room. Vanessa kept her expression neutral, but she felt surge of resentment at tan''s strictly-business attitude.


    He pushed the door open. Ian was seated in arge conference chair the sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling window behind him casting a harsh glow around his silhouette,


    On the table in front of himy a new contract and a pen.