Chapter 930

Just as one of the nurses was about to answer Serena, another figure walked in.

Seeing her, the two nurses exchanged a quick look, offered a smiling greeting “Dr. Sutton”-and quickly scurried away.

Serena watched them go, certain that Eleanor must know who this Miss Shannon

was.

She decided to test the waters. “Ellie, who is the Miss Shannon they were just talking about p>

Eleanor turned on the faucet and began to wash her hands with a slow, deliberate motion. Her tone was placid. “It’s not Vanessa. It’s just a girl named Shannon coming in for some blood tests p>

Serena gave a slightly forced smile. “Oh, I didn’t know this place was open to the public p>

“It’s a medical aid program,” Eleanor replied matter-of-factly.

Serena felt a secret wave of relief. At least it wasn’t Vanessa. For a moment there, she had almost been sure it was.

Eleanor left first, and Serena returned to her mother’s room shortly after.

Back in her office, Eleanor sat for a moment, then stood up and walked toward the conference room lan was using. She knocked once before pushing the door open. lan was standing by the window on a call. Seeing her, he quickly wrapped it up. “Is something wrong?” he asked, turning to face her, his gaze intense.

Eleanor got straight to the point, her tone strictly professional. “Vanessa will be here tomorrow for her tests p>

lan understood immediately. His family still didn’t know that Vanessa was the donor. Eleanor was simply notifying him. She turned to leave.

“I’ll make the arrangements,” Ian’s low voice followed her.

As Eleanor reached for the door, he suddenly called out, “Eleanor p>

She paused but didn’t turn around.

lan looked at her back, his throat working for a moment as if he wanted to say

more. In the end, all that came out was, “Thank you. For everything p>

Eleanor gave no reaction. She opened the door and walked out.

lan sank into a chair, his fingers tapping an unconscious rhythm on the table. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.

Back in her office, Eleanor reflected

on the situation. She had overheard the nurses in the restroom and, putting it together with the Goodwin women’s presence, she had

Correctly guessed that get

told them Vanessa was the donor. Likewise, Vanessa was unaware of Gina’s condition or the fact that Serena had inherited the illness.

There was only one reason lan would keep this from Vanessa: it would give her

more leverage, and he would have to meet even greater demands.

Eleanor just wanted Vanessa to cooperate without causing trouble or refusing at the last minute. It was better to head off any potential. problems. That’s why she had gone to remind lan about Vanessa’s appointment, in case it had slipped his mind amidst all his other responsibilities.

If she weren’t so desperate to find a cure and secure her daughter’s future, she

wouldn’t have bothered to meddle at all.

The next morning, Vanessa arrived

at the lab on schedule. She was no longer surprised to see Eleanor there, but she disliked the sight of her in white coat it made her feel like a lab rat under Eleanor’s observation.

Before the blood draw, Vanessa suddenly asked, “Is Mr. Goodwin here? Could you please ask him to come in p>

Eleanor frowned. Dr. Smith glanced at her, as if the decision to fetch lan rested solely with her.

Eleanor turned to the nurse. “Please ask him to come p>

The nurse left immediately. Vanessa hadn’t brought her manager today, so she was alone. Soon, footsteps approached, and lan entered with the nurse.

Seeing him, Vanessa’s lips curved into a smile. “Ian, I’m a little scared. Can you stay with me p>

lan’s eyes flickered to Eleanor, then back to Vanessa. Vanessa’s gaze, however, was fixed on Eleanor. “Dr. Sutton, would you mind leaving? Your presence makes me uncomfortable p>

Eleanor seemed to have anticipated this. She simply turned to Dr. Smith and said, “I’ll leave it to you, Doctor.” Then, without another word, she turned and left the room.

lan’s eyes followed her until the door closed, cutting off his view.