"Mr. Goodwin, I have good news! Incredible news!" Dr. Smith's excited voice crackled through the phone. "Dr. Sutton has just confirmed that her late mother's blood sample is a high-level genetic match with Miss Shannon's. It's a perfect backup donor for the experiments."

lan's grip on his phone tightened. The news hit him like a physical blow, so shocking that for a moment, he forgot to breathe.

"When did she confirm this?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Dr. Smith replied. "A year ago, I think? If you want more details, you should probably ask Miss Sutton directly."

lan took a sharp breath, forcing himself to calm the storm of emotions raging within him. "Doctor, do not touch that sample."

Dr. Smith, who had been ready to start tests the next morning, was taken aback. "Why? Mr. Goodwin, another donor means another source of hope!"

"Wait for my word before you proceed. For now, continue the research using only Vanessa's sample," lan commanded before ending the call.

He slowly sank back into his large executive chair, his gaze lost in the deep night sky beyond the floor-to-ceiling window. After a long moment, he let out a quiet sigh, stood up, and left the office.

***

At home, Eleanor was in the playroom with her daughter, helping her learn to read, when Joslyn brought her the phone. "Ma'am, it's for you."

Eleanor took the phone and saw lan's name on the screen. She frowned, stepping out onto the balcony to answer. Her voice was automatically cool. "Hello."

"I just heard from Dr. Smith that your mother's sample is a match with Vanessa's," lan's low voice came through the line. "When did you find this out?"

"That's not important," Eleanor said, unwilling to offer him any explanation.

"I'm ordering you not to use your mother's sample. We will only be using Vanessa's for now." His tone was absolute, leaving no room for argument.

Eleanor had assumed he was calling to discuss the next steps for the experiment. She never expected him to refuse.

"Ian, I am giving my consent to use my mother's sample for the experiment. What right do you have to refuse?" she demanded, her anger flaring. This is a chance to save your mother and your sister. Have you really thought this through?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end. "I have," he replied.

"Ian, give me an explanation," Eleanor said through gritted teeth. Everything this man did seemed designed to infuriate her.

"There is no explanation. We are not using it." With that, he hung up.

Eleanor stared out at the night sky, her emotions in turmoil. A moment later, she called Dr. Smith, only to hear the same thing.

lan had forbidden the use of her mother's sample.

"Miss Sutton, do you have any idea why?" Dr. Smith asked.

Eleanor, of course, had no clue. Ever since she had learned of the sample's existence, lan had been evasive about its purpose. She had once suspected it was for treating Vanessa, which was why shed had Joel run the stem cell match. But based on Vanessa's current health-aside from a certain frailty and fatigue, she was perfectly healthy-that didn't seem right.

When she'd confronted lan about it before, asking if her mother's sample was for

Vanessa, his answer had been a clear and simple, "Yes."

།

But now, it seemed that wasn't the case. What was he hiding? He was refusing to use it even to save his own mother and sister. Was there someone else someone more important, who needed it?

Eleanor felt utterly exhausted. If only her father were still alive, none of these mysteries would exist.

She bit her lip, trying to think. Who else would have had access to her mother's sample? She had asked Mr. Windsor today, and he knew nothing.