No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 896

"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."

Ian'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."

Ian 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," Ian 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 Ian'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," Ian'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.

"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, Ian had been evasive about its purpose. She had once suspected it was for treating Vanessa, which was why she'd 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 Ian 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.