After dinner, Eleanor and Ellington chatted as they walked toward the elevators. As luck would have it, a small group was already waiting in front of the elevator doors-including Rnd and hispanions.


    Hearing footsteps behind him, Rnd turned, his gaze sweeping over the neers. When he saw Eleanor, a flicker of disdain crossed his eyes.


    He straightened his suit jacket and remarked to his colleagues, "Now that the funding''s secured, I can finally breathe easy."


    "With Mr. Goodwin''s backing, taking thepany public will be a walk in the park," someone replied.


    "Right? And let''s not forget-Mr. Yeaton is Mr. Goodwin''s future father-inw!"


    Rnd''s chest swelled with pride at the ttery. He deliberately raised his voice. "Ian''s a good kid. He''s always gone above and beyond-for mypany and for my daughter."


    Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Rnd adjusted his suit again and stepped inside with his entourage. Eleanor and Ellington, however, opted for a different elevator down the hall.


    Ellington watched Eleanor''s expression carefully. Asn''s ex-wife, hearing her former husband''s boasts-even if she kept that cool exterior-had to sting a little.


    "Ms. Sutton, if you''re not in a rush, would you like to grab a coffee downstairs?" Ellington offered.


    "No, thank you. I''ve got some samples to process back at theb this afternoon," Eleanor replied.


    "Ms. Sutton, please don''t let the Yeatons'' business bother you—”


    "I''m fine. Ian''s free to marry whomever he likes-it''s got nothing to do with me." Eleanor cut him off, well aware that everyone assumed she''d be upset.


    Maybe she should be. But truthfully, Eleanor couldn''t bring herself to care.


    When the elevator reached the ground floor, she swept outside, the July sun zing overhead. She raised a hand to shield her eyes just as she spotted a sleek ck Mercedes pulling away from the parking lot.


    She crossed to her own car, climbed in, and queued up a cheerful song as she started toward the research center.


    Suddenly, the car phone rang. An unfamiliar number shed on the disy. She hesitated, then pressed ept.


    "Hello? Who''s this?"


    A bright, friendly female voice answered. "Miss Sutton? This is Leah from the Mayor''s office."


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. "Yes? How can I help you?"


    Leah exined, "The Mayor''s wife is hosting a charity event this Saturday at the country club and has asked me to extend a personal invitation to you."


    Eleanor was taken aback. The Mayor''s wife, inviting her specifically?


    "Miss Sutton, will you be able to attend? I''d just like to confirm for our records," Leah pressed, still warm and enthusiastic.


    Eleanor couldn''t very well refuse such an invitation. "Of course. Please let her know I''ll be there."


    "Wonderful! I''ll send you the details soon. Have a great day!" Leah ended the call.


    Ten minutester, her phone rang again—this time, it was Joy Thatcher. Eleanor guessed she''d also received an invitation.


    As soon as she picked up, Joy eximed, "Ellie, did you get invited to the Mayor''s wife''s event too?"


    "I did," Eleanor confirmed.


    Joy sounded genuinely excited. "This''ll be such a new experience-I''m actually looking forward to it!"


    After a quick chat, Eleanor arrived at the research center. A new text message appeared as she entered: apparently, the Mayor''s wife''s event was a fundraiser for children with rare diseases.


    It was a worthy cause, and Eleanor intended to contribute generously.


    That afternoon, she met with Dr. Smith to discuss changes in several data sets and to finalize preparations for the clinical trial of a new drug scheduled for next month.


    Callie, her diligent assistant, had be an invaluable right hand, and the rest of the team worked seamlessly together. Progress was steady.


    At around 5:20 p.m., Eleanor waited outside the school gates to pick up her daughter. Just then, a refined and elegant figure approached.


    "Eleanor."


    She turned to see Henrietta and greeted her politely. "Good evening, Mrs. Yeaton."


    Henrietta smiled warmly. "Busy at work these days? I''ve noticed your nanny''s been picking up Evelyn a lottely."


    "Yes, work''s been hectic," Eleanor admitted.


    Henrietta''s concern was genuine. "Just remember to take care of yourself too." "Thank you for your concern," Eleanor replied with a grateful nod.


    At that moment, the school doors opened, and parents began streaming inside. Two little girls emerged, hand in hand.


    Henrietta turned to Evelyn. "Sweetheart, would you and your friend like toe over for dinner tonight? I''ll make you something delicious."


    Evelyn''s eyes lit up. "Really?" She tugged at Eleanor''s hand, pleading, "Mom, can we go to Vivian''s house for dinner? Please?"


    Before Eleanor could answer, Vivian chimed in excitedly, "Of course you can! Ms. Sutton, pleasee have dinner with us! Please?"


    "Mom, please?" Evelyn begged, her eyes wide with hope.


    Faced with two sets of imploring eyes, Eleanor found it impossible to say no.


    Henrietta spoke gently. "Eleanor, the girls just want to spend some time together. It''s just an ordinary dinner-please join us."


    ncing down at her daughter''s eager face, Eleanor felt a pang of guilt for being so busytely. How could she refuse?


    "All right. Thank you for having us," she agreed atst.


    "Yay! We get to y together!" The two girls spun in circles, hand in hand, giggling with delight.