No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 281

Serena Goodwin shrank back, intimidated by Xavier’s presence, but resentment burned in her eyes as she blurted out, “Eleanor Sutton just divorced my brother and now she’s throwing herself at you. A woman like her—flighty and untrustworthy—doesn’t deserve your affection.”

Xavier Vaughn’s gaze stayed steady as he looked at Serena. “Between Eleanor and me, it’s simple. I’m the pursuer, and she’s the one being pursued.”

Serena stared at him in disbelief, taking a shaky step back as tears blurred her vision. Without another word, she spun around and rushed out of the office.

In the hallway, a few colleagues glanced up in surprise as Serena stumbled past them, but no one dared to stop her or ask questions.

She burst into the restroom and caught sight of herself in the mirror—her carefully styled hair was a mess, and her mascara had run from crying, making her look like a tragic clown.

Ten minutes later, a termination letter was printed by HR. Serena was fired.

Clutching a box of her belongings, she walked out of the research building. A cold wind whipped around her, but she barely felt it. Her heart had already frozen over.

And all of it, she told herself, was because of Eleanor.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID. Vanessa Shannon.

“Hello…” Serena answered, her voice hoarse.

“Serena? What happened?” Vanessa immediately picked up on the distress in her voice.

“Vanessa…” Serena’s tears spilled over again. “I got fired… Xavier fired me…”

“How could you get fired?”

Serena recounted what had just happened, her words tumbling out. Vanessa tried to soothe her. “Don’t cry. Xavier’s only infatuated with Eleanor for the moment. You’ll get another chance.”

“You don’t know how much Xavier sticks up for her. And my brother—he always protects her too,” Serena choked out.

“Serena, your brother’s not protecting her. He’s using her talent to make money for himself. Eleanor really is gifted when it comes to medicine,” Vanessa replied calmly.

Hope flickered in Serena’s heart. Now that she’d confessed her feelings to Xavier, maybe he really would start paying attention to her.

If only she could become just as exceptional.

But when she thought of Eleanor, a heaviness settled in her chest. She could never compete with Eleanor on her turf.

What Xavier admired was Eleanor’s talent in medicine—just that. If Eleanor ever slipped up, surely his interest would fade.

***

When Eleanor got off work, she received a call from Ellington, reminding her about Mr. Brown’s dinner party on Friday.

Eleanor frowned. “Do I really have to go?”

“Ms. Sutton, I strongly advise you to make an appearance. Mr. Brown oversees the regulatory board—he’s not someone you want to offend.”