"Of course, I don''t mind," Xavier replied.


    Joy turned to Eleanor. "Looks like you''ll be riding with Mr. Vaughn, then. I''ll head out on my own."


    With that, Joy hurried off to her car, started the engine, and drove away.


    Eleanor nced at Xavier. "Thank you. Sorry for the trouble."


    “No trouble at alle on, hop in!" Xavier''s Bentley was parked right nearby.


    Eleanor slid into the passenger seat. She was just buckling her seatbelt when a loud crash echoed from the exit ahead.


    She looked up in rm, just in time to seen''s sleek ck Mercedes colliding head-on with a Porsche SUV.


    Xavier''s eyes widened in shock. "I''d better check on them," he said quickly to Eleanor.


    She nodded, staying put inside the car.


    The Porsche driver got out, whilen remained in his seat. The Porsche owner nced atn''s license te and immediately realized he''d just run into someone important. Even if he thought he wasn''t at fault, it was time to tread carefully. He approachedn''s window and tapped on the ss, stering on a nervous, ingratiating smile. "Sir, are you alright?"


    The window slid down, revealingn''s cold,posed profile. He hadn''t even utched his seatbelt. Without a word, he gave the Porsche driver a once-over, then pulled a business card from the console and handed it over. His voice was low and indifferent. "I''ll take full responsibility. Call my assistant to sort things out."


    Just then, Henry and Vanessa hurried over. Vanessa''s voice rang out, tinged with anxiety, n, are you okay? Did you get hurt?"


    "I''m fine,"n replied tersely, ncing at the three of them outside his window. "I''ll be on my way."


    His gaze drifted beyond them, settling on the woman still seated in Xavier''s car. Without another word,n reversed, the engine of his damaged Mercedes growling as he pulled away, unfazed by the dented hood.


    Vanessa bit her lip, crimson with frustration, and suddenly spun around to re at Eleanor through the window of Xavier''s car. She knew all too well thatn''s foul mood today was Eleanor''s fault.


    Picking up on Vanessa''s mood, Henry put aforting arm around her shoulders. "Come on, let''s get going."


    Xavier''s expression darkened. He shot Vanessa a warning look. "Don''t go ming Eleanor for everything."


    Henry looked over, attempting to smooth things over. "Xavier, she didn''t mean anything by it."


    Xavier said nothing more and turned back toward his own car.


    On the drive home, Xavier tried to lighten the mood with small talk. Eventually, curiosity got the better of him. "I''ve always wondered why didn''t you ever train withn? He''s an incredible coach."


    Eleanor gazed out the window, a bitter smile flickering across her face. Back then, just standing byn''s side felt like happiness. Now, looking back, she realized how foolish she''d been.


    Vanessa was a great yer-clearly,n had been an attentive coach to her.


    Xavier chuckled softly. "You don''t have to answer." After a pause, he added, n didn''t look like he was in a good mood just now."


    "His mood has nothing to do with me," Eleanor replied crisply.


    Xavier let out a quiet breath, some of the tension in his face easing. What he


    feared most was that Eleanor might still be hung up onn-after all, he''d seen firsthand how happy she''d once been to marry him.