Ellington called to ask if Eleanor could spare some time that afternoon for a meeting at the Vesper Joy Hotel.


    She nced at the time and replied, "Could we schedule the meeting for the evening instead?"


    "Of course, Ms. Sutton. I''ll arrange for it to begin at seven. You can have dinner at the Vesper Joy Hotel before we start," Ellington offered helpfully.


    "Sounds good," Eleanor agreed.


    The May Day holiday was just around the corner, but for the experimental team at Meridian Dynamics-Byron''s division-it was crunch time. The holiday was being sacrificed for the project, though no oneined; after all, the pay was triple the usual rate, which made everyone content to work through the break.


    Eleanor hadn''t checked her sry in ages. Money had never been an issue for her, and spending it wasn''t her strong suit either. Her car was five years old, her wardrobe consisted of simple, practical outfits, and her watch was a model from several years back.


    At four-thirty, Eleanor arrived to pick up her daughter. When she mentioned she''d have to head out again for a meeting that evening, Evelyn''s eyes lit up. "Mom, can


    Ie with you to the meeting? I promise I''ll be good and quiet."


    Eleanor was caught off-guard but quickly agreed, smiling. "You really want toe with me?"


    "I do!" Evelyn nodded eagerly.


    "All right, then you''lle along," Eleanor said, gently brushing her daughter''s hair. One day, she thought, this position would be Evelyn''s to inherit.


    Eleanor texted Joy, hoping her best friend could help watch Evelyn during the meeting. If Evelyn didn''t enjoy the atmosphere, at least she''d havepany.


    "Of course! But I expect a fancy dinner out of it," Joy teased.


    "Order whatever you like from the Vesper Joy Hotel menu," Eleanor replied grandly.


    "In that case, I''m definitelying," Joyughed.


    By six o''clock, the Vesper Joy Hotel lobby was glowing under crystal chandeliers. As one of Ashford City''s premier luxury hotels, it had always boasted steady profits.


    Eleanor led Evelyn into the elevator. Tonight, Evelyn had dressed up in a pale blue dress, her hair clipped back with a pearl barrette. She looked every bit the little swan.


    "Mom, isn''t this Dad''s hotel?" Evelyn asked, tilting her face up.


    "It''s under my name now," Eleanor answered seriously.


    "Wow, Mom, you''re amazing!" Evelyn gazed at her in awe as if her mother could do anything.


    Eleanor pinched her daughter''s cheek, ncing at her own reflection in the mirrored elevator door: sharp suit, pearl earrings, and confidence that needed no embellishment.


    At the entrance to the banquet hall, Ellington was waiting. Spotting the little girl by Eleanor''s side, he smiled warmly. "Ms. Sutton, is this your daughter?"


    "Yes, this is my daughter," Eleanor replied, holding Evelyn''s hand. "Say hello to Mr. Ellington."


    "Hello, Mr. Ellington," Evelyn greeted politely.


    "Hello there," Ellington replied, waving.


    Soon after, Joy arrived. The three of them had dinner in one of the hotel''s Western-style restaurants. Afterward, Evelyn skipped down the wide, bright corridor while Eleanor followed, her presence calm and regal, like a lioness watching over her cub.


    Eleanor decided not to bring Evelyn into the meeting room. Instead, she asked Joy to take her to the children''s y area.


    At seven on the dot, Eleanor walked into the conference room.


    The meeting was about the hotel''s uing smart technology initiative. The general manager bowed slightly. "Ms. Sutton, we''ve prepared thetest quarterly financial analysis as you requested."


    Eleanor nodded. Ellington had already sent her a more detailed, easy-to-digest report. After flipping through the documents, she said, "Let''s begin."


    Meanwhile, in the y area, Evelyn grew thirsty after running around and tugged Joy along to find some water.


    Suddenly, a towering sixyer cake caught Evelyn''s eye. She followed the server rolling it along, curiosity sparkling in her gaze. Joy nced back just in time to see Evelyn scampering off and quickly hurried after her.


    Evelyn boldly asked the server, "Miss, who''s that cake for? Is someone having a birthday?"


    The server, spotting Evelyn''s expensive dress and delicate pearl clip, smiled. "It''s for a celebration hosted by a lovelydy."


    "What''s her name?" Evelyn pressed, ever persistent.


    The server hesitated, but figured the child wouldn''t know the guest anyway. She smiled, "It''s for a Miss Vanessa''s celebration."


    "Mrs. Shannon?" Evelyn blurted out, surprised.


    The server pushed the cake cart into the elevator.


    "Evelyn!" Joy called as she caught up.


    "Miss Thatcher, the cake is for-" Evelyn began, but just then the elevator doors opened. A guest stepped out, and Evelyn craned her neck to look inside.


    She caught a glimpse of a familiar figure inside the elevator. Her heart leapt with delight, but before she could call out, the doors slid shut.


    "Miss Thatcher! Miss Thatcher!" Evelyn clung to Joy''s hand, breathless.


    "What is it, Evelyn?" Joy knelt down, concerned.


    “I just saw my dad! He was in the elevator—he went upstairs!" Evelyn tugged at Joy''s sleeve, pointing toward the elevator.


    The disy showed it stopping on the tenth floor. Joy recalled that the tenth floor was where the banquet halls were.


    She eyed Evelyn skeptically. "You''re sure you saw your dad?"


    "I''m sure! I really did! I saw his face," Evelyn insisted, stamping her foot, still pulling at Joy''s sleeve. "Miss Thatcher, can we go upstairs and look for Dad?"


    Joy wasn''t convinced, but seeing Evelyn so anxious, she figured it couldn''t hurt to check. Smiling, she said, "All right, let''s go find him."