To catch every word Henrietta said, Serena pretended to take a call and slipped behind a nearby tree.


    Xavier nced over his shoulder when he noticed his mother approaching. He tensed instinctively; though her attitude had softenedtely, he still couldn''t read her. He had no idea what she truly thought of Eleanor.


    Henrietta, dressed elegantly in a fitted navy dress, wore a warmer, more genuine smile than thest time they met. "Eleanor, I''m so d you could make it." She shot a gentle reproach at her son. "Xavier, really-how could you let Miss Sutton stand out here in the cold? At least invite her in for a cup of tea."


    Xavier was momentarily caught off guard.


    Eleanor greeted her politely, "Good evening, Mrs. Vaughn."


    Though Henrietta''s gaze still sized her up, the scrutiny had softened. There was genuine warmth in her smile, a kind of eager hospitality.


    Surprised by the change, Eleanor nced at Xavier.


    He gave a small, relieved smile, as if finally able to breathe.


    Henrietta stepped forward to take Eleanor''s hand. "Don''t just stand there, dear. Consider this your own home-no need to be so formal. Come, let''s sit in the living room."


    The sudden wave of friendliness left Eleanor bewildered. She nced at Xavier for reassurance, but he just kept smiling back at her.


    Meanwhile, Serena, hidden behind the tree, stared in disbelief as Mrs. Vaughn led Eleanor arm-in-arm toward the house. She couldn''t wrap her mind around it.


    How could this be happening?


    Mrs. Vaughn had never been half this enthusiastic with her!


    Why was she treating Eleanor with such obvious affection, even personally escorting her inside?


    As Eleanor walked with Mrs. Vaughn into the elegant foyer, she could feel the eyes of the societydies-the ones Xavier''s mother always surrounded herself with-settle on her, their surprise barely concealed.


    "Miss Sutton, let me introduce you to a few friends." Mrs. Vaughn steered Eleanor toward her inner circle, beaming. “Ladies, this is Eleanor Sutton, a rising star in medicine and a close friend of my son''s."


    This was the same circle that had joined Henrietta for tea the day before; now, each one regarded her with open envy.


    "We''ve heard so much about you, Miss Sutton!" gushed one woman in a tailored Chanel suit, extending her hand. "Just yesterday, we were all talking about your speech on the news!"


    "Thank you, it''s lovely to meet you," Eleanor replied, shaking her hand.


    "I heard you made a major breakthrough in leukemia research—is that true?" another woman asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.


    Eleanor was just about to respond when Xavier interjected with a quick grin, "No work talk tonight-let''s give her a break and chat about something else."


    Thediesughed in agreement. "Of course, of course, Miss Sutton must be exhausted already. Let''s talk about something more rxing."


    Across the room, Gina was feeding some fruit to Evelyn as she walked her daughter into the hall. She caught sight of the scene and blinked in surprise.


    A few feet away, Serena stood gripping her champagne ss so hard her knuckles whitened, the ss nearly slipping from her hand. She''d been convinced that Mrs. Vaughn hadn''t liked Eleanor thest time they met but the scene before her told a very different story.


    Could it be that Mrs. Vaughn didn''t mind Eleanor being divorced after all?


    Gina, ever perceptive, immediately understood. It was all too clear: the daughter- inw Henrietta favored wasn''t Serena, but her former daughter-inw instead. Gina nced at her daughter and sighed inwardly.


    Henrietta, meanwhile, picked up on the tension between Gina and Serena. Leaving the other women, she made her way over, pausing first topliment Evelyn, then turning to Gina. "Gina, you can see how much Xavier truly cares for Eleanor. Honestly, I admire her as well."


    Gina managed a gracious smile. "Yes, Eleanor really is exceptional."


    Henrietta hesitated, then continued, "About the arrangement between our families -I think it''s best if we..."


    She gave Gina a meaningful look, hoping she''d understand.


    Of course Gina understood. She nodded, her smile tinged with resignation. "I know. Marriage isn''t something you can force. If Xavier''s found someone he truly cares for, I''m happy for him."


    Henrietta looked a little embarrassed and gave Gina''s shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Gina, in this matter, the Vaughn family owes you and Serena an apology."


    Gina smiled generously. "Think nothing of it. These kids should be allowed to make their own choices."


    Serena watched her mother and Mrs. Vaughn whispering, a sense of dread rising in her chest at the look that passed between them.


    As soon as Henrietta moved off to greet more guests, Serena hurried to her mother''s side.


    "Mom, what were you just talking about?"


    "We''ll discuss it at home," Gina replied softly, her eyes betraying a flicker of pity. "Please, Mom, just tell me," Serena pressed, desperate for answers.


    At that moment, Henrietta returned, her voice gentle. "Serena, I''m sorry, dear. Your mother and I both feel that you and Xavier just aren''t right for each other."