"Mom, will youe with us too?" Evelyn looked up hopefully, wanting both her mom and dad by her side.


    "I can''t, sweetheart. I have to get some work done," Eleanor replied gently.


    Evelyn didn''t argue. Once breakfast was over,n took her by the hand and headed out.


    It wasn''t until around nine o''clock thatn finally returned, carrying Evelyn in his arms. She was clutching the present Xavier had bought for her.


    "Daddy, can''t you stay with us tonight?" Evelyn''s eyes turned red as she asked, her voice trembling.


    "Okay," Evelyn sniffled, nodding her little head.


    "Why don''t you go y with your new toy?" Eleanor suggested. Then, ncing atn, she added, "Come outside. I need a word."


    "She has to find out eventually," Eleanor replied, her voice steely.


    "If and when it''s necessary, I''ll be the one to tell her." With that, Eleanor turned and walked back inside.


    The weekend arrived.


    Eleanor took Joslyn and Evelyn to meet Joy at the Vespera Grand, where they moved into the penthouse suite on the top floor-a sprawling, 7,000-square-foot apartment that Eleanor had decided would be her private residence from now on. It wouldn''t be open to guests.


    The ce was so luxurious that Joy couldn''t help but start calling Eleanor "Miss Moneybags."


    There was a y area set up for Evelyn, and Joslyn watched over her while Eleanor and Joy enjoyed a spa session with two therapists Eleanor had called in. The suite also had a sauna and a private gym.


    After a blissful weekend, Monday arrived.


    Eleanor dropped Evelyn off at school before heading to the Vespera Grand''s conference room for the weekly morning meeting. She listened to Ellington''s project update, with Frazier, Joy, and eight senior managers in attendance.


    Though Eleanor wasn''t exactly an expert in finance, she was learning the ropes of running apany, picking up new skills every day.


    After wrapping up the meeting at noon, she treated everyone to lunch, then


    hurried across town to Meridian Dynamics for another meeting.


    As soon as she stepped into the boardroom, she sawn already there.


    Meridian Dynamics was one of hispanies, and as the majority owner, it was only natural he''d want to sit in on the meeting.


    "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin will be joining us today to hear our progress. I''d like you to present the update," Byron said.


    "You can handle it," Eleanor replied, making no effort to hide her reluctance.


    "I really need to step out for something urgent. Please, Miss Sutton, I''m counting on you," Byron insisted, looking genuinely desperate.


    Eleanor had no choice but to agree. When it came to work, she never backed down-even if it meant speaking in front ofn.


    She knew she had to get used to this, to face the fact that as long as he was Evelyn''s father, their paths would always be entwined.


    Inside the dimly lit boardroom,n sat at the head of the table. Eleanor turned on the projector and began her presentation, her clear voice carrying across the quiet room.


    The glow from the screen caught the edges of her silhouette, giving her an almost ethereal presence.


    After an hour, Eleanor wrapped up the presentation, gathering her notes. "That concludes my report. I''ll take my leave now."