It had already been a week since the theft of experimental data from Meridian Dynamics.


    Eleanor had run into Faye a few times in theb since then, and each time, Faye''s evasive gaze betrayed her guilty conscience.


    Horace ended up paying the price for her his academic career was over.


    Really, things shouldn''t have wrapped up so simply, but since Horace and Juliette''sbs had no conflicting interests and actually coborated quite often- the incident was chalked up as an idental leak of proprietary technology. After a formal notice from the university, Horace was expelled.


    As for Meridian Dynamics, they chose to reserve their right to pursue further action.


    Eleanor had been feeling weighed down all week. After everything Xavier had done for her, she desperately wanted to find a chance to thank him.


    But Xavier was away on business.


    He wouldn''t be back until New Year''s.


    Theb soon slipped back into its usual rhythm, and before she knew it, New Year''s had arrived.


    Three days ago, Juliette sent an invitation; her charity was hosting a g on New Year''s Day, and Eleanor was invited to attend.


    Last night,n insisted that she bring their daughter over to the Goodwin family''s for lunch today. With his court-ordered eight visitations a month, Eleanor had no


    choice but to agree.


    Early the next morning—


    Princess, their golden retriever, barked once and started wagging her tail furiously at the front gate, a happy rumble in her throat.


    "Daddy''s here!" Evelyn squealed, grinning ear to ear.


    When the doorbell rang, Joslyn went to answer it. Outside stoodn, draped in a sleek ck overcoat, his Maybach parked in its usual dominant fashion right in front of Eleanor''s gate.


    "I''m here to pick up Evelyn," he said to Eleanor.


    "Daddy, you look so handsome today!" Evelyn piped up, tilting her head to beam at him.


    After watching her daughter leave, Eleanor headed back inside to change. With the recent stress, she was more than ready to use the holiday as a breather.


    She''d arranged to meet Joy Thatcher at a café in the mall.


    Year-end always brought a barrage of legal cases for Joy, so she''d been just as swamped, and the two of them hadn''t caught up in over a month.


    They chatted about recent events. When Joy heard about the Horace incident, she was indignant. "He got off way too easy."


    Eleanor took a frustrated sip of her coffee. "Meridian Dynamics is still considering pressing charges."


    Joy arched an eyebrow. "Xavier went out on a limb for you this time he must really care about you." She grinned. "I''d love to seen''s face if he knew what Xavier did."


    Eleanor cradled her forehead. "That''s exactly why I feel so guilty toward Xavier."


    "Don''t be so hard on yourself. Xavier did what was right-he protected theb''s reputation. Otherwise, Juliette Grayson''s foundation would''ve taken a much bigger hit."


    Eleanor nodded. If Mrs. Grayson''s foundation suffered, the losses would have been catastrophic.


    "Horace is such a jerk. Why is he alwaysing after you?" Joy asked.


    "Because of Faye. There''s no proof, but I know she''s the one behind it," Eleanor said, her voice steely.


    Joy scoffed. "Those sisters are a piece of work. And their father''s a shark-there''s not a decent person in that family."


    At three in the afternoon, Juliette''s assistant called to ask Eleanor toe by a boutique to try on her evening gown for the g.


    After saying goodbye to Joy, Eleanor drove to the shop. Mrs. Juliette Grayson was already there and had picked out a dress for her—a soft, pale blue gown with an air of understated grace.


    They dined together before heading to the g, and by the time they arrived at the hotel, it was just past seven. In the lobby, Eleanor spotted a familiar figure— Xavier.


    He was on the phone, but when he saw them approach, he wrapped up his call and joined them. "Aunt Juliette, you''re here," he said.


    Juliette nced at her nephew, then at Eleanor. "Come on, walk up with me." Eleanor greeted him. "Mr. Vaughn, was your business trip sessful?" Xavier smiled. "Very."


    The three of them rode the elevator to the sixth floor, and as they neared the ballroom doors, Mrs. Grayson paused. Then, she reached out, taking Xavier''s hand with her left and Eleanor''s with her right.


    Eleanor blinked in surprise, and Xavier nced at her with a faint, amused smile.


    The doors opened slowly. Under the glittering chandeliers, the room sparkled with elegant guests and clinking sses.


    As hostess, Mrs. Grayson instantly drew every eye in the room. She acknowledged the crowd with regal poise, and with Xavier and Eleanor nking her, the trio made a striking entrance.


    Among the guests, Vanessa-spokeswoman for Juliette''s charity-stood byn''s side. When she saw the three of them arrive together, her expression soured.


    When had Eleanor be so important to Mrs. Grayson?


    And the way Mrs. Grayson held Eleanor in one hand and Xavier in the other-it looked for all the world like she was escorting a couple.


    Vanessa shot a nce atn, only to see his gaze fixed on Juliette''s group, his handsome features set in a brooding scowl, his eyes dark and stormy.


    Vanessa''s eyes widened. Ian looked like he was about to explode.


    But then it hit her-he wasn''t angry because he still cared about Eleanor.


    He was angry because Eleanor, his ex-wife, was making him look bad. Barely a month after their divorce, and she already had someone new. Ton, it must have felt like a p in the face.