Only then did it hit Joy-oh, for heaven''s sake! Her own sister was her big boss!


    "No way, are you trying to work me to death?" Joy grumbled, cheeks turning pink.


    Eleanor burst outughing. "You''re young! You''re supposed to have this much energy."


    "Yeah? Laugh at me again, I dare you!" Joy lunged, fingers outstretched, and started tickling her.


    The two of them dissolved intoughter in the cozy little private room, and even Evelyn, ying quietly with her toys on the sofa, giggled along with them.


    Eleanor tried to catch her breath between fits ofughter. "Alright, alright! I''ll stop teasing you."


    Joy shot her a mischievous look. "Then you should hurry up and find yourself someone. Major General Ellington, for example-he''s a great catch. Just pick him!"


    Eleanor had just taken a sip of tea and nearly spat it back into her cup in surprise.


    "What? Don''t tell me you''ve already tried and he''s not up to the task?" Joy''s eyes widened in mock shock.


    Eleanor''s face turned bright red. "Oh, stop it! There''s nothing between us. We''repletely innocent."


    Joy gave a theatrical "oh," but finally let the joke drop. In the back of her mind, the image ofn flitted by.


    Six years Eleanor had been married to him... Who even knew-


    Ugh, no. Even if he had an amazing body, he was still a rotten apple as far as Joy was concerned.


    Shaking off the thought, Joy turned to Eleanor and said, "Alright, time to take Evelyn to pick out a present."


    Evelyn, who''d been waiting impatiently, perked up immediately.


    The three of them headed to a nearby mall and stepped into an upscale toy store.


    Evelyn took her time, carefully considering every shelf before finally settling on a delicate music box. She remembered how Vivian, during herst visit, had said she loved music boxes.


    Eleanor noticed how thoughtful her daughter had be-she was really growing up.


    Just then, at the entrance, Serena walked in, but as soon as she caught sight of Eleanor and Evelyn, she instinctively slipped back out again.


    She hated running into Eleanor, even if she had nothing against her little niece.


    After Eleanor and Joy left with Evelyn, Serena came back in to choose a gift. She pulled out her phone and sent a voice message, "Vanessa, what do you think Vivian would like as a birthday present?"


    Vanessa replied, "Little girls usually love dolls and pretty toys."


    Serena browsed the store for a while before finally selecting a limited-edition doll and an ornate music box.


    "Vanessa, guess who I just saw?" she said, sending another voice message.


    "Who?"


    "Eleanor and Evelyn-they just left the toy shop."


    "You don''t think Eleanor is bringing Evelyn to Vivian''s birthday party, do you?" Vanessa''s voice was skeptical.


    "No way," Serena replied, her tone confident.


    "How can you be so sure?"


    "I mentioned to Mrs. Vaughnst time about Eleanor chasing after Xavier. You should''ve seen Mrs. Vaughn''s face-she was absolutely appalled. There''s no way she''d let Eleanor attend."


    "But Evelyn and Vivian are best friends-"


    Serena stiffened at that. Sure, Mrs. Vaughn hated Eleanor, but if Xavier was really interested in her, maybe he would insist on bringing Eleanor and Evelyn.


    The thought made Serena''s eyes narrow. Xavier''s refusal to go through with their arranged marriage had left her moping for a week, and tonight was her chance to shine at Vivian''s birthday party.


    Was Eleanor really going to show up and ruin things for her again?


    But soon enough, Serena rxed. There was no way Mrs. Vaughn would ever let her son marry a divorced woman with a child. Xavier was such a catch-it would be a waste if he ended up with someone like that.


    Besides, tonight she and her mother were headed to the Vaughns'' for the birthday party-Mrs. Vaughn had sent the invitation herself.