"Eleanor, you and Xavier-" Gina hesitated, wanting to confirm for herself whether Eleanor and Xavier were truly seeing each other. If that was the case, she''d need to consider a different match for her own daughter.


    Eleanor frowned slightly. "Gina, I''d rather not discuss my personal life."


    Gina faltered, suddenly realizing she no longer had any right to pry into Eleanor''s affairs.


    Letting out a soft sigh, she conceded, "You''re right. I shouldn''t have asked. Come inside and have a seat. I''ll go find Evelyn."


    As Gina walked away, Eleanor felt no urge to follow. She lingered in the garden, alone but not ufortable-if anything, solitude suited her.


    Serena emerged from the house, phone pressed to her ear, clearly finishing a call. Spotting Eleanor by herself, she said to the person on the other end, "Vanessa, I''ll call you back."


    Sliding her phone into her pocket, Serena strolled over, letting out a quiet scoff. "Don''t think cozying up to Mrs. Vaughn is going to get you through the family''s front door."


    Eleanor, wishing for a moment''s peace, couldn''t hide her irritation. "I have no need to cozy up to anyone."


    "Even if you tried, it wouldn''t matter," Serena replied with a smug lift of her brow. "Mrs. Vaughn runs this family now. She decides everything-Xavier''s marriage included. Even if I''m not the one to marry in, you don''t stand a chance."


    Just then, Xavier stepped out from the house. He''d been looking for Eleanor and now saw Serena standing beside her, arms folded. His chest tightened, and he strode over quickly.


    "Eleanor," he called her name first.


    Serena started, instantly masking the disdain in her eyes and greeting him with a sugary, "Xavier."


    He barely nced at her. "Serena, go inside. I need to speak with Eleanor." Serena pouted, feigning indignation. "What''s wrong with me hearing it?"


    "You sure you want to?" Xavier''s eyes narrowed.


    Realizing he was about to say something intimate to Eleanor, Serena''s breath caught. She shot Eleanor a re, jealousy flickering across her face, but ultimately bit her lip and left.


    Eleanor turned to Xavier. "I should get back to work-"


    "Did Serena say something to upset you?" Xavier asked, his tone gentle but concerned.


    Eleanor thought about her ce here and knew she didn''t really belong. "Maybe I should juste pick up Evelynter."


    With Gina-her former mother-inw-around, she knew Evelyn would be well cared for.


    Suddenly, Xavier reached out and caught her wrist, his voice rough with urgency. "Don''t go."


    Eleanor stared, startled, at his hand. He quickly let go, looking flustered. "I don''t want you to leave. You rarelye by-stay a while, have some tea, something to eat."


    At that very moment, a stately figure appeared in the doorway. Mrs. Vaughn had seen Evelyn earlier but hadn''t caught sight of Eleanor until now. Watching her son speak with Eleanor, she finally looked relieved.


    Eleanor''s gaze drifted to Mrs. Vaughn at the entrance, her nerves tightening. She knew perfectly well she was not a wee guest.


    Meanwhile, Serena had stationed herself by the marble columns at the door, phone back to her ear. Seeing Mrs. Vaughn step outside, she couldn''t help but smirk.


    "Vanessa, gotta go. I''m about to witness some real drama."


    "What kind of drama?"


    "The kind where Mrs. Vaughn puts Eleanor in her ce, of course."