"Serena, I''ll stay here. You go enjoy New Year''s with Grandma and Aunt."


    "But..."


    "Rx. I won''t give Eleanor a chance to cling to your brother. Trust me if I make a single call, he''ll leave in under three minutes." With that, Vanessa hung up.


    Serena stared at her phone, bemused. What kind of trick did Vanessa have up her sleeve to keep her brother away from Eleanor?


    Three minutes? Fine. She''d watch and see.


    As Serena looked up, she noticed several of the older women in the family had already started greeting Eleanor. Serena smirked inwardly. Did Eleanor still fancy herself the futuredy of the Goodwin family?


    The rtives all treated Eleanor with polite civility, measuring their words and showing her the respect due to someone Magdalen openly favored and Gina greeted so warmly.


    After all, if Eleanor and her ex-husband ever remarried, wouldn''t she be right back in line for that coveted position? It made sense to keep things courteous and formal with her just in case.


    Besides, Eleanor had walked away from the divorce with a sizable share of the estate, not to mention her own sterling reputation in the scientificmunity. Who knew when they might need her help one day?


    These people were seasoned veterans of the social battlefield; they knew exactly how to weigh someone''s worth.


    Meanwhile,n was chatting amiably with his uncles when his phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, excused himself, and made for the terrace.


    He hadn''t even reached the door before a flicker of anxiety crossed his eyes, his jaw tensing as he answered the call.


    "I''ll be right there."


    He hung up, turned, and walked briskly toward his mother. "Mom, something urgent hase up. I need to step out."


    "But dinner''s about to be served-can''t you wait until after?"


    "It really can''t."n barely paused, his gaze drifting to where Eleanor was seated beside Grandma. Clutching his phone, he strode quickly for the exit.


    "Daddy, Daddy..." Evelyn spotted him and dashed after him.


    Hearing his daughter''s voice,n stopped, crouched down, and gently held her shoulders. "Sweetheart, can you stay here with Grandma and Great-Grandma for a bit?"


    Eleanor, seeing her daughter run out, hurried after her to the doors of the banquet hall, just in time to see Evelyn stamping her feet in tears. "I don''t want Daddy to go! I want Daddy to stay with me! Please-!"


    Eleanor swept her daughter into her arms. "Evelyn, honey, Mommy''s here."


    Without another word, he turned and walked away.


    Eleanor watched his retreating figure, a chill settling over her heart. She knew exactly who he was going to see.


    Vanessa. It was always Vanessa.


    It wasn''t the first time he''d left their daughter behind for her.


    "Daddy, I want Daddy..." Evelyn''s cries wouldn''t subside. She hupped and sobbed in Eleanor''s arms.


    Eleanor''s heart ached. She held her daughter close on the sofa, soothing her until, finally, she allowed Evelyn a piece of chocte to calm her down.


    Gina came over, scooped Evelyn up, and continued tofort her.


    Just then, Serena, champagne flute in hand, slid gracefully onto the seat beside Eleanor. She swirled her drink, lips curling into a mocking smile. "Eleanor, you don''t actually think my brother still cares about you, do you?"


    Eleanor smoothed her dress, her face calm, as if she hadn''t heard a thing.