The ride home was lighthearted, the conversation flowing easily and revolving mostly around their children.


    When they reached Eleanor''s house, Xavier hopped out, retrieved her suitcase from the trunk, and handed it to her. "See you at school tomorrow."


    "Thank you. Drive safe," Eleanor replied gratefully.


    He noticed the faint shadows under her eyes, a subtle sign that she hadn''t been sleeping welltely. Concerned, he said, "Try to get some rest."


    With that, Xavier got back in his car and drove away.


    Eleanor let out a soft sigh. She really couldn''t keep relying on him like this.


    Take today, for example-she''d only casually mentioned her flight was arriving, and Xavier ended up clearing half his day just to pick her up. The thought left her feeling even more indebted.


    At five o''clock that evening, Eleanor called Gina to say she''de by to pick up her daughter.


    Gina''s voice was warm. "Of course! I''ll pack up Evelyn''s clothes and toys. Come whenever you''re ready."


    Ten minutester, Eleanor rang the doorbell, and Gina came out with Evelyn in tow.


    "Mommy!" Evelyn squealed, throwing her arms around her.


    Eleanor smoothed her daughter''s hair and looked up at Gina. "Thank you again for everything."


    "Oh, don''t mention it! Evelyn''s part of the Goodwin family, too. Looking after her is the least we can do," Gina replied with a smile.


    "Say goodbye to Grandma," Eleanor prompted gently.


    Evelyn waved her little hand, saying goodbye as Eleanor led her to the car. Gina stood at the door, watching them leave, lost in thought. In just a year, the young woman who once stood on her doorstep, shy and uncertain, had be poised and quietly confident.


    Back home, Eleanor slipped seamlessly into her role as mother-helping Evelyn pack her backpack for enrollment, checking over her summer homework, while the scent of dinner drifted in from the kitchen. The scene was cozy, almost idyllic.


    Joslyn couldn''t help but marvel at how the household had flourished-and how capable Eleanor had be.


    The next morning, Eleanor walked Evelyn to the school gates. She knelt down to straighten her daughter''s cor when Evelyn suddenly called out, "Daddy! It''s Daddy!"


    Eleanor looked up to seen approaching.


    He hadn''t missed his daughter''s first day, though Eleanor would have preferred he hadn''te at all.


    While they ushered Evelyn inside for the parent-child activities, Mrs. Vaughn arrived with Xavier and their daughter Vivian, who immediately ran off to y with Evelyn.


    Mrs. Vaughn noticed both Eleanor andn were there. Smiling, she greeted them, "Eleanor!n! So d you both made it."


    "Hello, Mrs. Vaughn," Ian replied politely, sharing a brief nce with Xavier.


    Xavier nodded in acknowledgment.


    n, why don''t you and Xavier talk shop for a bit? Eleanor and I will catch up over here," Henrietta suggested.


    The kids were reluctant to leave the yground, so the adults waited patiently. Xavier andn strolled a few yards away to chat about work and life.


    Meanwhile, Henrietta sized up Eleanor. "I heard you were away on business in Kingston. Finished everything up?"


    "Yes, all done," Eleanor answered with a smile.


    "You work so hard-juggling your job and raising a child. If you had a bit more help, it''d be easier, you know." Henrietta''s tone was pointed.


    Eleanor caught the hint and replied graciously, "Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Vaughn. I''ve gotten used to this rhythm."


    Henrietta gave her an appraising look. "You''re still young, Eleanor. It''s important to find someone who''ll truly care for you."


    A short distance away,n nced over at them. Xavier followed his gaze, his own expression growing thoughtful.


    "I saw in the news that Eleanor''s project caught the Secretary of State''s attention," Xavier remarked.


    Xavier raised his eyebrows. "A private meeting?"


    He''d known Eleanor was doing well, but this was beyond what he''d imagined-


    private meetings with senior officials were hardly ordinary.


    "Seems I''ve underestimated her," Xavier admitted quietly.


    There were still a few family games left as part of registration. Eleanor yed a couple of rounds with Evelyn, won a few small prizes, and then took her home.


    That evening, Eleanor organized her work files; she had a meeting at the research center on Monday morning.


    She rubbed her temples. Once this round of experiments was done, she was seriously considering leaving Ashford Medical University''s research facility.


    Monday came, and work at theb ran like clockwork. Simone and the eight- person team gathered in the conference room while Eleanor stood at the projector, flipping through data charts. Her two weeks in Kingston had brought back a wealth of new ideas.


    Simone nodded thoughtfully. She realized that Eleanor''s research skills were already at the level of a PhD.


    Eleanor was more than capable of leading a team herself.


    When the meeting ended, Simone asked Eleanor to stay behind. There was something she wanted to discuss, one-on-one.