"I can't rule out that possibility, but we need to find the actual cause before jumping to conclusions."

"Be careful when you go. Anyone running a chemical plant probably has some serious connections." Joy's tone was a warning.

Eleanor nodded.

At nine-thirty, Joel pulled up in an SUV. In the back seat sat Callie and Gwenda, leaving the front passenger seat open for Eleanor.

As Eleanor joined them, Gwenda glanced at the name of her apartment complex. It was upscale, sure-but nothing beyond what most well-off families could afford.

Two hours later, after canvassing the area near Marlowe Village, they reached the perimeter of the chemical plant. Following Joel's instructions, Gwenda and Callie slipped over to the wastewater outlet and discreetly collected a few sample tubes.

Back in the city, Joel dropped her off at Joy's building. Eleanor retrieved her car and headed to Goodwin Manor; tonight, she was bringing her daughter home. "Didn't Dad come with you?" Evelyn looked up at her, round face full of curiosity. "No, he's busy. After dinner, I'll take you home."

At four, lan returned. He called out to his mother, Gina, "Mom, I'm taking Evelyn and Eleanor out for dinner."

"Why not eat at home?"

"I'm meeting up with some friends," he replied.

Hearing this, Eleanor stood and said, "Evelyn and I will stay here."

lan crouched down beside their daughter. "Vivian will be there too."

"Really? I want to go! I want to go!" Evelyn grabbed his hand, bouncing with excitement.

Eleanor pressed her lips together, hesitating.

Just then, Serena's voice floated down from upstairs. "Mom, I won't be eating at home either. I'm going out with lan and Evelyn."

They left around five-thirty. Eleanor would have preferred to drive separately, but lan said, "Let's head back together later."

Which meant that after dinner, they'd return to Goodwin Manor.

So Eleanor opened the back door, taking a seat with her daughter. Serena claimed the front passenger seat.

On the way, Serena tapped out a message to Vanessa: "Vanessa, come join us for dinner tonight!"

"What kind of dinner?"

"Oh, just with my brother and some of his friends. Xavier will be there too." "Is Eleanor coming?"

"She'll be there, but you can still come! What's there to be afraid of?" Serena narrowed her eyes—tonight, all she wanted was to hang out with Vanessa. "I'll see how things go."

"I really want you to come. Promise me you'll come!" Serena hit send, secretly wishing Eleanor would back out.

...

Downtown. A high-end French restaurant with crisp white linens and quiet ambiance.

They arrived first. A few minutes later, Xavier walked in with Vivian, followed by Henry. From their conversation, Eleanor quickly gathered that this was the whole dinner party for the evening.

Vivian and Evelyn sat together, happily playing with their toys. Eleanor took a seat beside her daughter, while Serena, ever savvy, took the spot next to Vivian-and right beside Xavier.

After the orders were placed, the three men started discussing current events, and soon the conversation shifted to the new miracle drug Eleanor had helped develop.

"lan, you really called it this time. The lab you invested in just produced a breakthrough drug, and your company's value must have doubled in the past six months, right?" Henry said, his admiration clear.

lan replied coolly, "It's been good."

"And the one who developed that drug—isn't she Vanessa's sister?" Serena interjected.

"She must be brilliant," Henry said.

Changing the topic, Henry turned to Serena. "How was that ski resort you visited? I'm thinking of taking some friends there next week."

Serena lit up, eager to recount her ski trip. With Xavier listening in, she hoped he'd be impressed by her skills.

As the conversation flowed, the server entered with a guest in tow. "Miss, right this way."

The door opened and Vanessa walked in, fashionably dressed. When she saw who was inside, her smile faltered, and she hesitated awkwardly at the entrance.

"Vanessa, you made it! Come on in!" Serena immediately stood to greet her.

Vanessa pressed her lips together, and Serena stepped in to ease the awkwardness. "I invited Vanessa. Let's all have dinner together."

Vanessa glanced at lan, then at Eleanor, and smiled at Serena. "Maybe I'll let you

enjoy your dinner. We can catch up another time."

The implication was clear-she hadn't expected Eleanor to be there.

Serena chimed in to help, "lan, I was the one who invited Vanessa."

"Mrs. Shannon, you're here too!" Evelyn piped up, delighted.

Vanessa's face softened into a gentle smile. "Evelyn, it's been so long. Did you miss me?"

Evelyn nodded, beaming. After two years of Vanessa's devoted attention, seeing her always brought joy.

lan narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're here, so stay for dinner."

Vanessa had been waiting for that invitation. She smiled and took the seat next to Henry.

"Vanessa, we were just talking about your sister's amazing achievement. She solved a global medical crisis all by herself-unbelievable," Serena said.

Vanessa gave a modest smile. "She's always been the clever one-and she's passionate about medicine. Her success isn't a surprise."

"Maybe she'll win a Nobel Prize someday!"

Henry laughed. "She should at least get a nomination."

At that moment, Serena glanced over at Eleanor and said, "Eleanor, aren't you taking classes at Ashford Medical University? You must have heard of Faye, right?"