The next afternoon, Joy finally dropped Eleanor and her daughter back home. Evelyn, still bubbling from the day''s adventures, bounced through the front door, calling, "Daddy, I''m home!"


    Eleanor assumedn was out, but then she heard footsteps on the stairs. Ian appeared,ing down from the second floor.


    "Daddy, I met another lovelydy today! She was so nice to me. I really like her. Can I stay at her ce again next time?" Evelyn eximed, beaming with excitement.


    Hearing her daughter''s words, Eleanor understood at once: in Evelyn''s innocent world, anyone who showed her kindness was a good person. She was still too young to tell friend from foe, too na?ve to recognize whether those who approached her meant good or ill. It was up to Eleanor to shield her from Vanessa, that venomous ghost from the past.


    The spring holiday slipped by in a blink. On the third day, Eleanor took Evelyn to the Goodwin family''s home for lunch, but they didn''t stay long-by the afternoon, she was already ushering her daughter out.


    Gina''s disapproval of Eleanor grew more obvious by the day. Aside from matters concerning Evelyn, the two women barely spoke anymore.


    May 8th.<fnabe2> For more chapters visit find?novel</fnabe2>


    Evelyn heard that Vivian was back in the country, and suddenly, she was more enthusiastic than ever about going to school.


    That morning, Eleanor dropped her off at the school gates. Evelyn waved and darted inside, while Eleanor turned away with a smile—just in time to see Xavier''s car pull up. He climbed out, carrying a sleepy Vivian in his arms.


    "Miss Eleanor!" Vivian called out cheerfully.


    "Vivian, it''s so good to see you again!" Eleanor replied, genuinely happy.


    "Uncle, I can go in by myself," Vivian said, slipping her backpack on and running off toward the entrance.


    Xavier watched his niece disappear inside, then turned to Eleanor. "Heading to the university?"


    She smiled. "Yes, I''ve got ss this morning."


    When Eleanor got into her own car, Xavier remembered something. He reached into his pocket and fished out a hair tie, but just then, a gust of wind caught it and swept it from his hand.


    He immediately scanned the ground, searching as if he''d lost something far more precious than an ordinary hair tie. Finally, he spotted it and picked it up, holding it tightly before making his way back to his car. This time, instead of stuffing it back into his pocket, he ced it carefully in the center console.


    Meanwhile, across town in theb, Dr. Lyman arrived early for a meeting to discuss theb''s next research direction. Joel was juggling multiple roles, and Eleanor had been pulled onto a new project funded byn.


    Faye and her group watched with envy. As always, Eleanor was at the center of every major project, while they were handed whatever was left work that barely registered on the investment radar.


    But with Dr. Lyman''s authority looming over them, no one dared say a word. Any resentment had to be swallowed for now.


    After the meeting, Eleanor and Joel sat in the lounge, deep in conversation. Eleanor brought up a research idea-one that happened to be Joel''s favorite topic. The two quickly lost themselves in the discussion.


    Faye and Gwenda wandered over for a break. Seeing how absorbed Eleanor and Joel were, Gwenda smirked. "Do you think Eleanor''s husband would be jealous if he knew she spent every day glued to Joel''s side?"


    Faye''s eyes flickered. She suddenly remembered that Eleanor was married.


    "Do you even know what her husband does?" Faye asked.


    "No idea. I just know she has a daughter," Gwenda replied.


    Faye''s lips curled into a mocking smile. Eleanor was a mother, yet she was out


    here flirting with Joel under the guise of work. Shameless.


    "She once said her husband was in business. Joel and I have been to her apartmentplex-it''s nothing special. Pretty average, definitely not wealthy," Gwenda added.


    On the sofa by the window, Eleanor stretchednguidly. Joel''s gaze was so intense it was almost as if he wanted to kiss her right then and there.


    Faye clenched her fist in jealousy. She had to put a stop to this before it went any further. If Eleanor wanted to ruin her own reputation, that was her business, but Joel was a medical prodigy-his name couldn''t be tainted by her antics.


    When Eleanor left the lounge, files tucked under her arm, she headed for theb. Suddenly, Faye blocked her path, arms folded.


    "Eleanor, can we talk?"


    Eleanor paused, a little surprised. "If you''ve got something to say, just say it."


    "Fine, I''ll be blunt. I want you to keep your distance from Joel. This is our workce, not your personal yground. Don''t think you can use your job as an excuse to get cozy with him. You''d better watch yourself," Faye said, her tone sharp and brimming with hostility.