Joy stepped into the elevator, eyes flickering to the panel above the doors. Next to the tenth floor, where the grand ballroom was located, a digital sign read: "Private Celebration."


    She paused, a puzzled look crossing her face. Wasn here for a friend''s party?


    "Dad''s being mean. He''s back in town, but he won''te to see me!" Evelyn pouted, cheeks puffed out in indignation.


    Joy noticed the little girl''s mood souring and thought, Maybe I imagined it. After all, this hotel was crawling with wealthy socialites; it wouldn''t be surprising if someone looked a lot liken.


    With a soft chime, the elevator doors slid open. Two servers carrying flutes of champagne walked out, their conversation drifting over.


    "Miss Shannon looks absolutely stunning tonight! That gown must''ve cost a fortune."


    "I heard someone rented the entire tenth floor just for her—"


    "Wow, the guy behind her must really adore her."


    Joy''s face paled. She scooped Evelyn into her arms and started walking quickly in the opposite direction. "Come on, sweetheart, let''s go find your mom."


    "No!" Evelyn suddenly began to wriggle and squirm, her voice trembling on the edge of tears. "I want Daddy."


    Joy rarely carried Evelyn, and now, with the girl weighing nearly eighty pounds, she couldn''t hold on for long. The moment she set Evelyn down, the child darted away like a slippery little fish-straight toward the private ballroom across the hall.


    "Evelyn!" Joy called, hurrying after her.


    Ballroom Three on the tenth floor sparkled with gold and crystal. A server holding the door open blinked in surprise as a little girl appeared before her.


    "Hey there, are you a guest here too?" she asked kindly.


    "Yes, I am," Evelyn replied, brimming with confidence.


    The server smiled and ushered her inside. "Go ahead, sweetie."


    Evelyn stepped into the ballroom and immediately spotted the towering six-tier cake at the center of the room.


    Under the spotlights, Vanessa was radiant in a shimmering white gown,ughing and chatting with guests.


    "Daddy!"


    A child''s voice rang out across the hall. Ian spun around, startled, and saw his daughter standing by the champagne tower.


    His expression turned instantly to shock. He set his ss down and hurried over. "Evelyn, what are you doing here?"


    Vanessa''s smile froze on her face.


    Evelyn? What is she doing here? Did Eleanore too?


    Meanwhile, outside the doors, Joy had already dialed Eleanor''s number. As she pushed open the ballroom doors, the scene before her stole her breath.


    So Evelyn hadn''t made a mistaken was here. And he was at Vanessa''s celebration.


    "Joy, where''s Evelyn?" Eleanor''s worried voice came through the phone.


    Joy exhaled, keeping her tone calm. "Ellie, don''t worry. Evelyn''s with her dad. We''re in the ballroom on the tenth floore up when you can."


    She hung up and waved ton. "Mr. Goodwin."


    "Where''s Eleanor?"n asked.


    "She''s in a meeting downstairs. I''m watching Evelyn for her," Joy exined.


    Evelyn clung to her father''s leg, her mouth turned down in a dramatic frown. "Daddy''s mean. Daddy doesn''t want to be with me."


    She turned away, arms crossed, her little voice huffy. "No, you don''t."


    A pang shot throughn''s heart. When she was younger, Evelyn would joke about her parents not loving her if she couldn''t have a new toy or a treat. But now, he could tell-he''d genuinely let her down.


    Vanessa crouched beside them, her voice syrupy sweet. "Evelyn, your daddy loves you more than anything. In a little while, will you help Mrs. Shannon cut that big cake?"


    In the past, Evelyn would have run straight for the cake—she loved being the center of attention at any party. But today, she didn''t budge. She wanted her dad, not a slice of cake.


    Vanessa tried again, shing her brightest smile. "Evelyn, I even got you a present! Wouldn''t you like to see?"


    Evelyn shook her head, stubbornly refusing.


    Vanessa was momentarily at a loss. Gifts and sweets always worked before. She reached out, meaning to scoop Evelyn up, but Joy quickly stepped in and took Evelyn''s hand. "Evelyn, Mommy will be here any minute."


    "Come to Daddy." Ian lifted Evelyn into his arms, his broad hand gently cradling her head,forting and protective.


    Evelyn wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her big blue eyes ring fiercely at anyone who might try to take him away. She was iming her father for herself, and it was clear she wouldn''t share.


    To everyone else, it was just a child''s possessiveness. But to Vanessa, it felt like a p in the face.


    Of course, Eleanor must have told Evelyn to fight forn.


    Suddenly, the ballroom doors burst open.


    Eleanor stormed in, breathless, clearly having run all the way.


    She marched straight up ton, her expression icy. "Give Evelyn to me."


    Vanessa''s face darkened. So Eleanor was here after all.


    Did she pick tonight on purpose, just to ruin Vanessa''s party? Then again, the Vesper Joy Hotel belonged to Eleanor now-Vanessa probably never should have chosen this ce in the first ce.