Her little face had grown even prettiertely, her pigtails swaying as she walked, revealing a smooth, pale forehead and big, sparkling eyes that shone like ck gemstones.


    Eleanor bent down and kissed her daughter gently on the head before taking her hand and heading out the door.


    At the school gate, Eleanor happened to run into Xavier. Vivian had already gone inside, but he hadn''t left yet.


    "Mr. Vaughn," Evelyn greeted him politely.


    Xavier smiled warmly at her. "Hello, Evelyn."


    After dropping her daughter off at school, Eleanor returned to the parking lot to find Xavier waiting beside her car.


    "Did you go to theb this morning?" Xavier asked.


    "I did," Eleanor replied with a small smile.


    "Are you free Saturday evening?"


    She blinked, curious. "Why do you ask?"


    "It''s Vivian''s birthday. I''d love for you and Evelyn toe join us," Xavier said.


    Eleanor paused for a moment. Thest time it was Evelyn''s birthday, Xavier had brought Vivian to the party and even brought a gift. Of course, Eleanor intended to return the gesture.


    She smiled, lips pressed together. "We''d be happy toe."


    Xavier let out a barely visible sigh of relief. "Great. I''ll see you Saturday, then." As he spoke, he opened the car door for her. Eleanor hesitated a second, then smiled. "Thank you."


    "Drive safe," Xavier reminded her gently.


    She gave a grateful nod and pulled into the morning traffic. Just as she merged, a reckless car nearly rear-ended her, making Xavier''s heart leap into his throat. Thankfully, the other driver braked in time and avoided a collision. Only then did Xavier allow himself to breathe again.


    When Eleanor arrived at theb, she found Dr. Lyman Brown already there, waiting to start the morning meeting. Dr. Lyman was visibly excited. "If your father were still here, he''d be so proud," he said. "He devoted thest years of his life to this very research."


    Eleanor had pored over her father''s notes many times. It was true-he had thrown himself into leukemia research during his final years, and now Eleanor felt she was carrying on the work he''d begun.


    "This isn''t just a miracle anymore. It''s nothing short of divine intervention," Dr. Lyman said with high praise.


    With the Friday symposium approaching, Eleanor and her team pressed on, spending nearly every waking hour in theb for the next two days.


    ...


    Goodwin Manor.


    Serena hadn''t left her room in days, shutting herself away. Gina grew worried; ever since her daughter came home with red, swollen eyes and shut herself in, Gina hadn''t been able to coax her out for a talk.


    Today, she had the housekeeper prepare a bowl of nourishing soup to take upstairs. She knocked gently on Serena''s door.


    To her relief, Serena opened it, though her hair was a mess and she lookedpletely drained. She nced at the soup and shook her head. "I don''t want any."


    Gina stepped quietly into the room, her voice soft. "That''s all right, you don''t have to. But can we talk for a bit?"


    Serena curled up on the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, chin resting on top. She didn''t say a word.


    Gina''s heart ached as she watched her daughter. "Serena, what''s going on? Does this have something to do with Xavier?"


    Serena''s eyes filled with tears instantly. She bit her lip, refusing to answer, but the tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks one after another.


    Seeing her daughter cry, Gina understood at once. She sat beside Serena, gently rubbing her back. "Did Xavier call off the engagement?"


    "He said... he said he didn''t want to use marriage as a bargaining chip-" Serena choked out between sobs, "because there''s someone else he cares about."