"Oh? Why do you say that?"

"I stayed at their place last night. From what I saw, there's no real affection left between them. My brother is cold and distant toward her, and she just throws tantrums and gives him the cold shoulder. A marriage like that is bound to fall apart sooner or later."

Vanessa's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Is that so?"

"Vanessa, you've got this! From now on, you're the only one I'll acknowledge as my sister-in-law."

Vanessa lifted her coffee cup and said, "Why don't you bring Evelyn over to my place this afternoon? I bought her some treats."

"Sure. I'll pick her up and bring her over after school," Serena agreed with a nod.

...

At the research building, Eleanor sat in her office, writing her paper, when Joel knocked on the door. "Are you coming to the launch meeting tomorrow?"

"I'll be there, but I'd rather not be in the spotlight," Eleanor replied with a faint smile.

Joel adjusted his glasses. "I'd hate for you to miss it."

That afternoon, Eleanor got a text from Serena: she was picking up Evelyn. With her paper unfinished, Eleanor decided to stay late and get more work done.

By the time Eleanor hurried home, it was nearly eight. As she opened the door, Joslyn asked, "Ma'am, is Evelyn not back yet?"

Eleanor froze. "Evelyn isn't home?"

"No, ma'am," Joslyn answered.

Eleanor immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Serena.

"Hello?"

"Where's Evelyn?" Eleanor demanded.

"She's with me. We'll be home a little late."

"Serena, bring Evelyn home now." Eleanor's tone hardened.

"What's the big deal? I'm just letting her play at my friend's house."

Just as Eleanor feared-Serena had taken her daughter to Vanessa's. After all the effort she'd put into rebuilding her relationship with Evelyn, she couldn't let Vanessa come between them.

"Send me the address. I'll come pick up Evelyn myself," Eleanor said, forcing herself to remain calm.

"We're on our way back," Serena replied curtly and hung up.

Eleanor sat on the sofa waiting, ignoring the dinner Joslyn had made. It was half past eight when Serena finally came through the door, holding Evelyn's hand. Eleanor rushed over, only to notice a smear of chocolate around Evelyn's mouth. She felt her temper flare. Lately, she'd spotted a cavity on Evelyn's left molar during their nightly brushing.

"Evelyn, let's have dinner," Eleanor said, deciding she'd just have to make sure Evelyn brushed extra thoroughly tonight.

"My brother's not home yet?" Serena asked with a frown. She clearly didn't want to spend time alone with Eleanor.

"Mr. Walker isn't back," Joslyn replied with a pleasant smile.

Serena picked up her phone and called lan.

He answered quickly, "Hello?"

"Are you not coming home for dinner, lan?"

"I've got a business dinner, and then I need to head back to the office for a late conference call."

"Don't worry about us. I'll help Eleanor take care of Evelyn," Serena said.

"Alright. Let your sister-in-law know I'll be staying at the office tonight."

"Got it." Serena hung up, then shot Eleanor a smug look. "Ian's staying at the office tonight."

"Fine," Eleanor replied with a nod.

Serena sprawled out on the sofa, phone in hand, and sent a text to Vanessa right

in front of Eleanor: "My brother isn't coming home tonight-he'll be at the office. This is your chance!"

Vanessa replied instantly: "Perfect!"

Serena felt a rush of satisfaction, certain that Eleanor would have a sleepless, lonely night.

Little did she know, Eleanor couldn't have cared less. In fact, with lan gone, she'd probably sleep even better.

The next morning, Serena-yawning but fully made up-took Evelyn out early.

Eleanor followed behind in her car, waiting until she saw her daughter safely through the school gates before leaving.

Today was the lab's founding ceremony, and everyone was expected to attend.

By ten, the large conference hall on the third floor was bustling as staff prepared for the meeting.

Dressed in a crisp new white lab coat, Eleanor walked out into the corridor. The familiar feel of the lab brought a faint smile to her face. Just then, Joel, also in a white coat, approached her. He pulled a small medal from his pocket and held it out. "Dr. Lyman asked me to give this to you. It belonged to your father."

Eleanor's eyes reddened. "It's the laurel pin he wore when he won that award overseas."

Joel gently fastened it to her collar.

Across the room, Faye approached with a stack of documents, catching sight of the scene. Jealousy flashed in her eyes.

Why did Eleanor always seem to have Joel's attention and care?

Eleanor looked down at the pin, sunlight from the window glinting off the gold, scattering delicate rays across her face.

Joel was momentarily transfixed. Even after becoming a mother, Eleanor still had that graceful, youthful charm. She didn't show a hint of skin, but just looking at her face made his heart pound.

But a warning voice in his mind reminded him not to cross the line.

Faye watched, her fists clenched in frustration. How could a married woman like Eleanor capture Joel's interest?

She was convinced she outshone Eleanor in every way-looks, intelligence, family background-yet Joel had kept their relationship strictly professional. Eleanor checked her watch. "We should head down."

As she descended the stairs, guests were streaming into the auditorium: government officials, hospital administrators, investors, members of the media. The hall, which could seat over a hundred, was already filling up.

From the glass balcony on the second floor, Eleanor spotted several empty seats

in the front row-lan hadn't arrived yet.

Just then, a group of guests entered through the main doors. She saw Jude Vaughn heading over to greet them.

Eleanor's gaze fell on the figure walking beside lan. Her breath caught-Vanessa was here too?