Eleanor immediately understood what this was about-the spot she''d been hoping for. As Simone sat down, she offered an apologetic smile. "Eleanor, I''d originally wanted to give that spot to you."


    "I understand, Professor," Eleanor replied. "I''ll wait for the next opportunity."


    Simone hesitated, carefully choosing her words. "I always insist that academic merit is the only standard." She looked at Eleanor meaningfully. "You could always given a call. Maybe―"


    "Professor Langley, as much as I want this, I don''t want to rely on anyone''s connections." With that, Eleanor turned and walked away.


    Behind her, Simone let out a soft sigh and said nothing more.


    Her mind drifted back to three days ago, whenn himself had called to personally rmend Faye. Simone had brought up Eleanor''s name, butn had insisted she choose Faye.


    ***


    By Wednesday, the week had flown by. Xavier was waiting at the school gate in a tailored zer, looking rxed and effortlessly handsome. The moment Eleanor arrived, her phone buzzed. She nced at the screenn.


    She declined the call without hesitation.


    Almost immediately, it rang again. Stilln.


    Eleanor looked up at Xavier. "Mr. Vaughn, would you excuse me? I need to take this."


    She stepped away, putting some distance between them before answering. "Hello?" Her voice was cool, even colder than she intended.


    "It''s me."n''s voice came through, low and clear. "About Evelyn''s field day—I''ve rearranged my schedule. I can make it."


    Eleanor gripped her phone tighter. "That won''t be necessary. I''ve already asked someone to help."


    There was a pause on the other end. "Joel? Or Mansfield Ellington?"


    "Who I asked is none of your business. Just don''te," Eleanor said, her tone icy.


    Eleanor didn''t bother to respond. She simply hung up.


    Sunlight spilled across the elementary school yground, colorful pennants fluttering in the gentle breeze.


    Eleanor crouched down to straighten Evelyn''s tracksuit cor. Soon, they''d be joining a parent-and-child ball game.


    For this round, Xavier volunteered to help. He scooped Evelyn up, and together they outshone all the other dads.


    When the game ended, Evelyn and Vivian both took first ce in their group, standing proudly atop the podium together.


    The next activity was a craft session. Eleanor sat with the girls, helping them make delicate hair clips.


    Xavier took a break, sipping water from a bottle, a warm, genuine smile ying at the corners of his mouth as he watched them.


    Not far away, Mrs. Brown-Coco''s mother-watched the scene unfold. Her gaze toward Eleanor was tinged with envy.


    So it was true. Eleanor and Xavier really were seeing each other.


    Miss Alice snapped plenty of photos to share in the parents'' group chat-shots of Evelyn and Xavier ying together, Eleanor helping Vivian with her craft.


    Meanwhile, in a car heading from the Goodwin & Co. offices to the airport,n scrolled through the group chat, his eyes narrowing at the flood of family photos.


    He hadn''t expected Eleanor to let Xavier fill his shoes. Staring at his daughter''s beaming face in the pictures,n''s hand clenched tightly into a fist.


    Noticing the tension, Gavin Young—his assistant-ventured, "Mr. Goodwin, are you all right?"


    Just then,n''s phone rang. Vanessa.


    n! Mom and I are at the airport. When will you be here?"


    "I''m on my way,"n replied curtly.


    "Great! We''ll wait for you in the lounge!"


    The field day wrapped up by noon. Xavier invited Eleanor and Evelyn out for lunch.


    Sitting in the car, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a message from Joy-several photos attached.


    Vanessa and Gina were pictured withn at a café in the airport.


    "Snapped these by chance," Joy wrote. "Looks like they''re heading out of the country."


    Eleanor let out a bitter, silentugh. Ian didn''t have time for his daughter''s field day, but somehow he found the time to take Vanessa and his mother on a trip abroad.