That afternoon, Eleanor arrived to pick up her daughter and happened to run into Xavier. Lately, Vivian had been dropped off and picked up by her nanny, so it seemed Xavier had been away on a business trip.


    "Ms. Sutton." Xavier stepped forward with a friendly greeting.


    "Mr. Vaughn, have you been busytely?" Eleanor asked, her smile warm.


    "I was overseas for a week on business. How have you been?" There was a note of genuine concern in Xavier''s gaze.


    During the days when Eleanor was the subject of a viral scandal online, he''d been unable to help her because of their social positions. But seeing how swiftly and cleanly she handled the situation had only increased his respect for her-and made him appreciate the remarkable depth of her scientific background.


    He could hardly imagine what she''d endured to make it in the research world all these years. She was still so young; at a nce, her fresh face could''ve belonged to a recent college graduate. And if he looked at her just a moment longer, a blush would creep across her cheeks, making her seem as innocent as someone untested by the world.


    Lost in these thoughts, Xavier realized he''d been watching her for several seconds. Sure enough, Eleanor felt his gaze, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. Just then, the school doors opened.


    Eleanor gave a littleugh. "Time to collect the kids."


    Xavier smiled. "Let''s go in together."


    After picking up their children from the teacher, the two adults followed their daughters, who walked hand in hand. The four of them together could almost have passed for a family.


    Across the courtyard, Coco Brown''s mother watched the scene unfold, her eyes filled with a mix of jealousy and longing as she looked at Eleanor. She''d heard the gossip circting about Eleanortely-who would''ve guessed she was married to the wealthiest man in town?


    Now that Coco''s mother was divorced as well, it looked like she might be hoping to attract Xavier''s attention, too. Butpared to Eleanor, she couldn''t match her youth or beauty, and certainly not her intellect or aplishments. ncing at Xavier, so striking and self-assured, she could only sigh in resignation.


    Just then, a deep, maic voice called out, "Evelyn."


    Evelyn''s face lit up as she looked over. "Daddy!" she cried, running to throw her arms aroundn''s leg, hugging him tightly.


    Eleanor''s brow creased slightly, but Xavier stepped forward to greet him. "Ian." "Back from your trip?"n nodded as they shook hands.


    "We should get together with Henry Holt sometime," Xavier suggested.


    Eleanor replied, "Text me the address. Take Evelyn ahead-I''ll meet you there."


    arms.


    After checking the address, Eleanor looked west, toward the edge of the school grounds, where an old historic mansion stood. She hadn''t realizedn had the connections to buy such a ce and it was less than five hundred meters from their daughter''s school.


    Eleanor stopped at a nearby shop, picked out a thoughtful gift, and walked over.


    At the entrance, she saw festive decorations hanging by the door, andn''s car parked out front beside another with a chauffeur.


    She pressed the doorbell. A housekeeper answered with a friendly smile. "Mrs. Foster, wee! Please,e in."


    Eleanor paused, then smiled politely. "Just call me Miss Sutton, please."


    The housekeeper corrected herself at once. "Of course, Miss Sutton. Please,e in."


    Eleanor took in the newly renovated manor, every corner steeped in history. The house was over a hundred years old, with a past full of notable residents. Now, with life bustling within its walls once again, there was a striking harmony between the old and the new.


    The garden was awash with autumn colors-roses in full bloom, and a bougainvillea climbing the stone wall, its blossoms vivid and exuberant.


    "Mommy, you''re here!" Evelyn came running out with her favorite plush toy, beaming.


    Eleanor ruffled her hair affectionately as they stepped inside. In the foyer, she saw Magdalen arranging a group of antique vases with the help of a maid.


    "Ellie, you''re here! Come give me your opinion-where do you think these would look best?" Magdalen called to her warmly.


    Eleanor joined her, eyeing the stunning vases-each one worth a fortune, the kind of pieces that would easily fetch seven figures at auction.