lan returned to the hall not long after. As he made his way to his seat, the dim lighting cast a chill over Eleanor, who sat quietly, her posture distant and reserved. Next to her, Xavier sat like a silent guardian, the picture of protectiveness.

Just then, Headmaster Maxwell stood up, phone in hand, and walked toward lan as he spoke into the receiver. Ian offered him a polite smile and exchanged a brief greeting as they passed.

Back at his seat, the manager was still outlining the specifics of the three-year plan, his voice carrying over the murmurs in the room.

At another table, Vanessa glanced at the empty seat beside her, worried that Serena hadn't returned. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message.

"Serena, where are you? Why haven't you come back yet?"

The reply came almost instantly. "Vanessa, I had a fight with my brother. I'm not coming back."

Vanessa's eyes widened in surprise. She quickly typed back, "What happened? Do you need my help?"

Serena's response was swift. "Vanessa, just stay out of it. This is between me and Eleanor-it's got nothing to do with you. I don't want to drag you into this."

Vanessa frowned, piecing things together. Had Serena confronted Eleanor in the restroom, only for lan to walk in on them?

She bit her lip in frustration. She knew exactly what kind of person Serena was, and she probably should have stopped her earlier, kept her from making trouble for Eleanor at a time like this.

But it was too late for regrets now. Vanessa replied gently, "Don't be upset. I'll come find you right away."

"Vanessa, you should stay at the event and keep my brother company. You don't need to worry about me."

"No, really, your brother's busy tonight. I'll go with you." Vanessa said, then turned to Henry and murmured, "Something's come up, I need to head out."

Henry looked surprised. "Is it boring? You're leaving already?"

"It's not that—it's just an urgent matter I need to handle. You stay here and support lan, all right? I'll catch up with you later."

"Let me walk you out," Henry offered, starting to rise from his chair.

Vanessa gently pressed his shoulder back down. "No need, really. My car's waiting right outside."

Still, Henry couldn't help but worry. Vanessa going off on her own always made him uneasy.

Vanessa grabbed her purse, then paused for a moment to look across the room at lan. For a few seconds, she watched him silently before turning on her heel and leaving without hesitation.

Henry noticed the way she looked at lan—there was something in her gaze that stung him, a sharp, familiar ache. Truth be told, he wasn't interested in the meeting either, but since lan had invited him, he was expected to play the supportive guest.

Outside, Vanessa's car quickly caught up to Gavin's, which was pulled over at the curb with its hazard lights flashing. As soon as Vanessa's car stopped, Serena darted out from Gavin's and slipped inside. Gavin let out a sigh of relief and texted lan.

"Mr. Goodwin, Miss Goodwin has left with Miss Shannon."

"I told you to take her home yourself," lan shot back, frustration clear in his message.

"Sorry, sir, I tried. She insisted on getting out, and I couldn't stop her," Gavin replied immediately. Serena had been in a terrible mood, and when she demanded he pull over, there was nothing he could do.

"Come back," lan replied curtly.

Inside Vanessa's car, Serena clutched a handful of tissues to her swollen, tear- stained eyes, her voice trembling with indignation. "It's Eleanor-she's so rude! I wasn't even finished talking when she just walked away. I admit I grabbed her arm, but she shoved me. If my brother hadn't caught me, I would've hit my head on the floor!"

Vanessa offered her a damp wipe and gently patted her back. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Your eyes are all puffy."

"That's not even the worst of it," Serena sobbed, her carefully applied makeup streaked down her cheeks. "The worst part is that my own brother-right in front of Eleanor-forced me to apologize to her! Why? I was the one who almost fell! Why should I be the one to say sorry?" She sniffled, her voice breaking. "He's changed. Ian really has changed."

Vanessa's expression shifted as well. For lan to make Serena apologize to Eleanor-just to please her? That was something she never would have expected.