Eleanor nced over, her voice calm. "I''m not going."


    "Do it for Evelyn, at least."


    She fell silent for a moment. She could refuse to go, but this was their first year after the divorce, and suddenly cutting ties with the Goodwin family would be too much for her daughter. The emotional strain would be too severe.


    For Evelyn''s sake, Eleanor finally relented. "I''ll bring her, but we won''t stay long."


    Eleanor saw that the final investment amount in the paperwork had reached three billion. She closed the file, signed her name, and put it aside.


    Once she left the Goodwin & Co. building, Eleanor headed straight for a nearby shopping mall to pick up supplies for the new year.


    She was pushing a shopping cart, considering which window decorations to buy, when a small, familiar voice called from behind her.


    "Mom!"


    Startled, Eleanor turned and saw Gina pushing a cart too-her daughter sittingfortably inside, surrounded by groceries.


    "Evelyn." Eleanor had nned to finish shopping before picking up her daughter, but apparently, there was no need to make a special trip to Goodwin Manor after all.


    Just then, a stylishly dressed woman stepped out from behind a disy-Serena. Of course, she was here too.


    The moment Serena spotted Eleanor, a wave of dislike shed openly in her eyes. Even though she''d been traveling abroad to clear her head, Vanessa made sure Serena got regr updates on everything Eleanor and Xavier did.


    It seemed Eleanor really was nning to make a move on Xavier.


    "Mom, I''m going to check out the other aisle," Serena muttered, not wanting to see Eleanor. She turned on her heel and walked away.


    "Mom, what did you buy?" Evelyn asked, peering into the cart.


    "I got some window decorations and party supplies. Why don''t youe home with meter and help me get the house ready?" Eleanor said with a gentle smile.


    Gina hesitated for a moment, then spoke up. "Eleanor, we''re nning to have a New Year''s dinner-just a small family gathering. You should bring Evelyn and join us. It''ll be more festive that way."


    She couldn''t bear the thought of her granddaughter spending New Year''s Eve with just her mother forpany.


    "All right, I''ll bring her," Eleanor agreed.


    Gina''s face brightened. "Wonderful! Come early the day after tomorrow."


    Eleanor took her daughter home, and the two of them spent the entire afternoon decorating the ce. As she watched Evelyn-so small and determined-stand on tiptoe to hang an ornament, Eleanor felt a sudden pang in her chest.


    "Mom, does it look pretty?" Evelyn turned and beamed at her.


    “It''s beautiful.” Eleanor managed to say, but as she turned away, tears slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them.


    "Mom, I''m going to decorate over there too! From now on, I''ll always help you around the house. I''m your little helper!" Evelyn chirped.


    Eleanor pressed her lips together, tears streaming down in silence. She covered her mouth and retreated to the living room topose herself.


    She''d always hoped her daughter would grow up to be thoughtful and mature, but seeing Evelyn forced to understand too much, too soon, filled her with guilt.


    By the time Eleanor returned, Evelyn had already hung plenty of littlenterns on the branches by the window.


    And in that moment, Eleanor felt a glimmer of happiness.


    New Year''s Day arrived.


    Eleanor received greetings from many friends-Mansfield Ellington, Joel, even Xavier sent messages. All of them wished her well, knowing that on a day like this, no one needed her more than her daughter.


    She dressed Evelyn in a charming red dress with a little bow, and put on a light touch of makeup herself.


    Evelyn twirled in front of the mirror. "Mom, do I look pretty?"


    "You''re the prettiest girl in the world, sweetheart." Eleanor knelt to fix the red ribbon in her daughter''s hair.


    Her phone vibrated—an iing message fromn. "I''m waiting outside." It was raining lightly.


    Eleanor took an umbre and led her daughter out. Ian was outside, holding his own umbre. She opened the car door so Evelyn could climb in. As she closed her own umbre,n stepped forward, shielding her with his so she wouldn''t get wet.


    She slipped into the car, andn moved to the driver''s seat, heading for the Vesper Joy Hotel downtown.


    Tonight''s gathering was a big one-rtives from all branches of the Goodwin family would be there. Magdalen''s seventieth birthday wasing up, and her two younger brothers would be attending with their children and grandchildren. It was a rare moment when the whole n came together.


    When they arrived at the hotel,n got out first, opened an umbre, and came around to the back seat to help Eleanor and Evelyn out.


    Evelyn tried to heft her own umbre, butn quickly scooped her up. "Let Daddy carry you inside."


    Eleanor followed behind, watchingn carefully shield their daughter from the rain. She turned her face away.


    Inside the lobby, the manager and concierge greeted them with eager smiles.


    "Mr. Goodwin, Mrs. Goodwin-" the hotel manager started, his tone enthusiastic. Eleanor stopped and gave him a look. Realizing his mistake, the manager quickly corrected himself. "Ms. Sutton, I''m so sorry."


    At the front desk, someone covered their mouth, clearly embarrassed.


    The ballroom was already aze with lights, filled with the Goodwin family and their rtives.


    As soon as they entered, Magdalen spotted them and waved, beaming. "Evelyn! Come give your great-grandma a hug!"


    Evelyn dashed over, and Eleanor followed, greeting Magdalen politely.


    Around them, other rtives watched her with a mixture of curiosity and spection.


    "Ellie," Magdalen said warmly, holding Eleanor''s hand. "I''m so d you''re here. I was hoping you''de tonight!"


    "Grandma, how''s your health been?"


    Magdalen chatted with Eleanor about her health. Across the room,n was surrounded by his uncles and cousins, deep in conversation. Dressed in a deep blue suit, he looked taller and more striking than ever under the ballroom lights.


    Serena sat with a group of young women, shooting Eleanor a disdainful re before picking up her phone.


    "Vanessa, where are you?"


    "Serena, I-"


    "You need to get here. If you don''t, Eleanor will have the perfect chance to cozy


    up to my brother and try to get back together with him." Serena''s eyes stayed fixed on Eleanor, full of suspicion.