Xavier offered a small smile. "I just arrived this morning. Figured I''d invite you both to dinner tonight."


    "Any progress with your sister''s case?"n asked.


    Xavier''s face grew more somber. "Still working on it."


    Eleanor hadn''t asked about Xavier''s sister before, but seeing the look on his face, she realized things must be serious.


    "If you need anything, just say the word." Ian reached out and patted Xavier''s shoulder.


    Xavier nodded. "I''ll head out now."


    He turned to Eleanor. "If you need any follow-up research, just let me know."


    Eleanor nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn, for your help."


    Evelyn, her round face full of curiosity, looked up at the three adults talking. As Xavier made to leave, she gave a polite little wave. "Goodbye, Mr. Vaughn!"


    Xavier grinned at her. "Goodbye."


    The elevator doors slid shut.


    Eleanor suddenly feltn''s eyes on her.


    "What kind of data needs outside help?" His voice was unreadable, but his gaze had grown noticeably colder.


    She drew her daughter closer and replied coolly, "Some research materials from Mr. Vaughn''sb."


    Eleanor knelt down beside her daughter. "So, what brings you here?"


    Evelyn hugged her mother''s neck and snuggled closer. "I missed you, so Daddy ht me."


    Eleanor straightened Evelyn''s cor. "Are you hungry? Mommy has some snacks for you."


    "Yes! I''m starving," Evelyn replied, her eyes lighting up. She''d been stuffed at her grandmother''s house, but she still wanted something tasty.


    Eleanor led her to the break room. Xavier had brought far too many treats this time; after sharing a few boxes with theb team, she''d saved two boxes of pastries—just enough for her daughter.


    Just then, Valery walked in for a drink of water. "Eleanor, those pastries Mr. Vaughn brought are amazing."


    Eleanor smiled. "Are they?"


    Valery opened her mouth to say more, but as soon as she sawn standing by the door, one hand in his pocket, she shrank back and made a quick exit.


    “These are delicious! Did you buy them, Mommy?" Evelyn asked, happily munching on a pastry.


    "No, someone gave them to us."


    "Who gave them to us?" Evelyn pressed.


    Eleanor smiled. "Mr. Vaughn did."


    "I''ve read your updated experiment proposal."


    She looked over, waiting for him to continue.


    "Come to my office at ten tomorrow morning,"n said, his tone all business


    again. "We can discuss the terms for additional funding then."


    "Understood," Eleanor replied.


    She took a napkin and gently wiped the crumbs from Evelyn''s mouth.


    Half an hourter, Evelyn leftn didn''t want her distracting Eleanor from work.


    That night, back at home, Joslyn was there. With only three days left until New Year''s, Joslyn couldn''t help but feel concerned seeing Eleanor still workingte. There was something she needed to mention.


    "Ma''am, about tomorrow-"


    But before she could finish, Eleanor interrupted, "Joslyn, you can start your holiday tomorrow. Come back on the sixth."


    "Thank you for understanding, ma''am. So, where will you and Evelyn spend New Year''s?"


    "Don''t worry. I''ll be celebrating with her and some friends," Eleanor assured her.


    Joslyn still felt uneasy. Most families celebrated the holidays in a lively, warm atmosphere, but this house was always so quiet.


    That night, Evelyn stayed over at the Goodwin home again. Eleanor thought to herself that her daughter really did love the festive chaos.


    She had been spending all her time at thebtely. The house didn''t even have a single festive decoration-not a wreath, not a string of lights. After tomorrow''s funding meeting, she decided she''d take the afternoon to pick up some supplies. It felt unnecessary, but she still wanted to create a holiday atmosphere for her daughter.


    The next morning.


    Eleanor arrived punctually at Goodwin & Co.


    She pushed open the executive office door. Ian was standing before the floor-to- ceiling windows, waiting.


    Originally, Simone was supposed to attend, but something hade up, so Eleanor was the only one there for the funding discussion.


    "Have a seat,"n said, gesturing to the sofa area.


    As soon as Eleanor sat down, the secretary brought her a cup of hot tea. The


    familiar scent drifted up immediately-green tea, the same kind she used to drink


    at home before the divorce. She recognized it in a heartbeat.


    She looked up atn, but he was already flipping through files, his expression unchanged.


    "There''s no problem with the additional funding, but I have one condition." Ian met her eyes, his gaze sharp. "You''ll need to give me weekly updates on the progress -personally."


    Eleanor frowned. "I can write you a report."


    "You know I don''t understand the medical jargon. Your reports are too detailed-I can''t follow them,"n said.


    Annoyance flickered in Eleanor''s eyes, but after a moment, she relented. "Fine."


    Eleanor hadn''t expected that. Her reply was cool: "That''s none of your concern." "Evelyn said "


    "That''s not what we''re here to discuss." She closed the file, her tone distant.


    across the table. "The Goodwin family is hosting a New Year''s Eve dinner. Grandma would like you and Evelyn toe."