Laverne nced at her and continued her analysis. "If they''re really going to remarry,n would have topletely swallow his pride. He would have to learn to truly respect Eleanor, to trust her, to put her on an equal footing-no, he''d have to put her on a pedestal. That''s the only way Eleanor might take him back."


    Vanessa found the idea utterly ridiculous. She sneered, "A pedestal? How could someone liken ever look up to anyone? You don''t know him at all."


    "With Eleanor''s current achievements in the scientific field, even the most arrogant men are impressed by her. Ifn doesn''t change his arrogant ways, he''ll have to learn to show vulnerability, to be honest, and to admit his past mistakes. Otherwise, he''ll never win her back in this lifetime."


    Vanessa''s face instantly twisted with jealousy. The thought of the high and mightyn having to humbly and carefully win Eleanor back made her stomach churn with a mix of emotions.


    The mental image was enough to make her contort with envy.


    But a wave of panic washed over her.


    Maybe—mayben really would be a humble suitor for Eleanor''s sake.


    Laverne was about to continue when Vanessa cut her off sharply. "That''s enough. Stop talking."


    She didn''t want to hear another word.


    Laverne fell silent. She had said so much in the hopes of making Vanessa see the truth: she needed to stay out ofn and Eleanor''s world, or she would only end up humiliating herself.


    Vanessa stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The light reflected off her pale face, but her eyes were still filled with ambition.


    She turned back, unable to resist onest bitter remark. "There are thousands of brilliant women in this world. It''s not liken is going to be hung up on Eleanor forever."


    Laverne looked at her resentful profile and nodded. "True, there are plenty of brilliant women out there. But in thest ten years, have you seen any other woman byn''s side?"


    The question left Vanessa speechless, and her expression grew even darker.


    For the past decade, there had only been Eleanor. She was the only other woman in his orbit.


    And whenever she tried to get too close ton, whenever she crossed the line he''d drawn, he would push her away without a second thought. The only times he''d touch her were out of necessity like when she fainted or felt unwell, and even then it was just to carry her to the hospital.


    And all of that was only because her health was tied to his mother''s life.


    A man withn''s status, looks, and charisma could have any woman he wanted. Yet


    for ten years, he had kept to himself, with only Eleanor.


    Vanessa bit her lower lip so hard she nearly drew blood.


    Even after the divorce,n spared no expense paving the way for Eleanor, facing pressure from the board to pour resources and money into her projects. If that wasn''t love, was he running a charity?


    The realization was so painful she could barely breathe.


    There had been a few times at the hospital when Eleanor had seen him with her and assumed the research was for her. At the time, she was happy to let Eleanor misunderstand. But in reality, when Eleanor had thrown herself into leukemia research, who wasn so desperate to save?


    It definitely wasn''t her.


    Could it be―Vanessa narrowed her eyes. Was Evelyn still at risk for leukemia? Only


    someonen cared about that deeply would make him go to such lengths.


    She remembered Faye telling her


    hown had constantly pushed


    Eleanor for results, even making her work overtime as if he were in a face against time. Back then she''d been pleased, thinkingn was just trying to make Eleanor suffer.


    But who wasn trying to save with that leukemia drug?