Gina Quinn had barely nced at her granddaughter a moment ago, but the child was still very much on her mind. Pulling out her phone, she dialed her son''s


    number.


    "Ian, I saw Eleanor Sutton and Evelyn at school just now. Could you ask Eleanor to bring Evelyn over to our ce for dinner tonight?"


    "Sure, I''ll mention it to her," Ian Goodwin replied without hesitation.


    "Oh, and another thing—I saw Xavier Vaughn getting into Eleanor''s car. What''s going on between them?" Gina couldn''t help but pry.


    Xavier andn had grown up together; now that Xavier and Eleanor seemed close, Gina found the whole situation a bit odd.


    There was a brief pause on the other end beforen answered, his tone cool. "Mom, this isn''t something you need to worry about."


    Gina''s chest tightened. "Are you aware that the Vaughns want to discuss a possible engagement with our family?"


    "Mom, Serena and Xavier aren''t right for each other."


    Gina immediately protested. "Why not? I''ve watched Xavier grow up-he''s practically family. There''s nothing about Serena that wouldn''t suit him!"


    "Feelings can''t be forced, Mom. I have to get to a meeting. Talkter."


    The call ended abruptly. Gina stared at her phone, then nced back in the direction of the kindergarten, sighing deeply.


    She really did miss her granddaughter.


    At that moment, Eleanor was asking Xavier where he wanted to go and offering to give him a ride.


    "Just let me out by the curb," Xavier said.


    Eleanor flicked on the turn signal and pulled over. Xavier looked at her, his gaze steady. "I overheard Gina earlier. She said she hoped you and Ian would get back together. Are you... considering it?"


    Eleanor answered without hesitation. "Absolutely not."


    Xavier studied her elegant profile for a few seconds. "There''s an event this week I need you to attend."


    Eleanor looked at him, surprised. "What event?"


    "The charity foundation''s new talent initiative isunching. You''re a donor-they expect you to be there."


    Eleanor paused, caught off guard. "The project''s already underway?"


    "That''s right, it''s up and running," Xavier said with a small smile. It was Eleanor who had first suggested the project; he''d made sure it happened.


    "Thank you, Xavier." Eleanor''s grateful smile was genuine. This initiative would help so many young researchers with big dreams.


    "No need to thank me. This was your idea." Xavier unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car.


    As soon as he stepped onto the sidewalk, a sleek Bentley pulled up to collect him.


    He''d barely settled into the back seat when his phone rang. ncing at the screen, he answered, "Hello?"


    "Rumor has it the Vaughns and the Goodwins are about to be joined in holy matrimony," Henry Holt teased on the other end. "Figured I''d go straight to the source for confirmation."


    "Not true," Xavier replied tly.


    "Serena''s a lovely girl, you know. Honestly, you two—"


    Xavier cut him off. "That''s the family''s idea, not mine. I won''t agree to it."


    Henry chuckled. "If you''re still hoping to win Eleanor back, then best of luck to you."


    Xavier set the phone aside as sunlight streamed through the car window, casting shifting patterns across his handsome features. He let out a quiet sigh.


    When Eleanor arrived at Meridian Dynamics, she went straight into the morning meeting. Faye Yeaton, who had stumbled during herst big presentation, seemed to have found her footing again. The haughtiness she''d once carried had faded considerably.


    After the meeting, Byron Chase called out to her, "Eleanor, stop by my office when you get a chance."