Vanessa smiled gently atn. n, why don''t you eat something first before you start drinking?"


    "Daddy, please don''t drink," Evelyn chimed in, her lips pouting in protest. She hated the smell of alcohol on her father.


    Setting his ss aside,n gave her a warm smile. "Alright, Daddy won''t drink. Come here, sweetheart."


    Evelyn scrambled down from her chair and mbered inton''s arms. He picked up some food and started feeding her, his attentionpletely on his daughter.


    Just then, Mrs. Vaughn approached, holding her own ss. She looked at the younger generation gathered at the table, her eyes kind. "Let''s have a toast, everyone. Make yourselves at home."


    Mrs. Vaughn''s gaze drifted across the table, finally settling on Eleanor. Her smile softened. "Eleanor, you should eat more." She then turned to her son, her tone affectionate but firm. "Xavier, take good care of Eleanor. Don''t let her feel left out."


    As soon as those words left her lips, the atmosphere at the table shifted-tension sweeping in like a draft.


    Xavier quickly spoke up, "Mom, you should go greet the other guests."


    Vanessa''s eyes lingered on both Eleanor and Mrs. Vaughn, her mind racing. After seeing Serena Goodwin so heartbroken, it seemed the Vaughn family had really given up on the idea of marrying into the Goodwins.


    But Mrs. Vaughn''s words just now-was she giving her approval to Eleanor?


    Henry''s expression faltered for a moment too; he seemed to notice that the Vaughns were weing Eleanor into the family.


    Across the table,n''s gaze fixed on Eleanor, his eyes growing darker, unreadable.


    Mrs. Vaughn turned her warm smile ton. "Ian, Evelyn is such a darling. I liked her the moment I saw her. You must bring her over to our house more often!"


    Anyone else might have missed the undertone, butn understood. Mrs. Vaughn was sending him a message: if the Vaughns epted Eleanor, they would ept her child as well. It was her way of reassuring him.


    Xavier stood up. "Mom, why don''t you go see to the other guests?"


    "Alright. You all enjoy yourselves," Mrs. Vaughn said with her usual grace, before leaving the room.


    For a few seconds, a heavy silence lingered. Then the two kids began moring to y in the living room, theirughter breaking the tension.


    Eleanor stood up and followed them out.


    Suddenly, Vanessa tugged lightly at Henry''s sleeve. "Come walk with me for a bit."


    Henry caught her meaning-they should give the two old friends some space to talk.


    As soon as Vanessa and Henry left the table, Xavier broke the silence. "Ian, we need to talk."


    Xavier didn''t hesitate. "Do you still love her?"


    "It''s my business now too," Xavier replied, his voice quiet but resolute. "If you can''t give her happiness, I can."


    A faint smile tugged atn''s lips. "Are you sure?"


    Xavier nodded. "I''m sure."


    Outside, the vi''s lights cast long shadows of the two men across thewn, stretching on and on-just like the silent rift beginning to form in their friendship.