In the children''s y area, Xavier excused himself not long after-they had an important client arriving.


    Eleanor stayed behind to y with the kids for a while, until Mrs. Vaughn swept in, elegance personified in her floor-length evening gown, a nanny following at her heels.


    "Eleanor! It''s been ages since Ist saw you," Mrs. Vaughn eximed, giving Eleanor an approving once-over. The longer she looked, the more she admired Eleanor''s quiet grace and beauty.


    "Mrs. Vaughn." Eleanor greeted her with a warm smile.


    "Oh, that''s far too formal-call me Auntie, dear!" Mrs. Vaughn insisted, gently correcting her.


    Eleanor''s smile deepened, a hint of shyness in her eyes. "Alright, Auntie."


    Mrs. Vaughn chatted enthusiastically, asking about Eleanor''s work and home life. Eleanor answered politely; Mrs. Vaughn already knew how busy she was, which was precisely why she hadn''t reached outtely. In fact, Xavier had made a point of asking his mother not to disturb Eleanor unnecessarily. The fact that Eleanor had agreed to attend the Vaughn family''s thirtieth anniversary celebration was more than enough to make Mrs. Vaughn happy.


    At the very least, it meant her son and Eleanor were closer than just casual friends.


    Around five o''clock, the ballroom was already buzzing with guests. Eleanor led her daughter in alongside Mrs. Vaughn, and the first thing she saw was a huge ice sculpture of the Vaughn Group''s logo spinning slowly on stage, scattering rainbow lights across the room.


    Eleanor was shown to the VIP lounge, where the two children found plenty to entertain themselves.


    Not far away, Henry Holt was chatting with a few friends when his phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, excused himself, and stepped aside to answer. "Hello? Vanessa, are you here yet?" he asked, his tone softening.


    "Henry, I''m noting tonight. Could you let Xavier know for me?" Vanessa''s voice came through, subdued.


    "Is something holding you up?" Henry asked, unable to hide a note of disappointment.


    "No, nothing in particr. It''s just—” Vanessa sighed. "I get the feeling Xavier doesn''t really like me much these days. Probably because of Eleanor."


    “Xavier isn''t like that. You should juste tonight''s going to be lively." Henry tried to reassure her, then added, n will definitely be there too."


    "Do you really think I shoulde?" Vanessa''s voice was barely above a whisper.


    Henry paused, surprised by her uncertainty. "Of course you should! Do you want me toe pick you up?"


    "No need. I''ll have my assistant drop me off," Vanessa said after a moment.


    Henry agreed and ended the call, quietly relieved.


    Fifteen minutester, Vanessa arrived at the entrance of the Vesper Joy Hotel in a striking red evening dress, instantly drawing appreciative stares from the men nearby.


    She walked gracefully to where Henry waited, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Sorry for beingte."


    Xavier, catching sight of them, said coolly to Henry, "Why don''t you take Miss Shannon up?"


    Henry didn''t miss the chill in Xavier''s tone toward Vanessa, and it sparked a flicker of irritation in him.


    Inside the elevator, he leaned over to offerfort. "Vanessa, you look stunning tonight."


    Vanessa managed a small smile, but it was clear her mood was less than bright.


    "Xavier really has been busytely," Henry tried to exin. "He''s not ignoring you on purpose."


    Vanessa nodded, her smile slipping into a wry grimace. "Is Eleanor here too?"


    "She is. She brought the kids," Henry replied.


    Vanessa''s smile froze for a moment. "I see."


    Henry frowned. "Eleanor and Xavier are just friends, you know. Don''t read too much into it."


    "Just friends?" Vanessa gave a short, humorlessugh. "If that were true, would Xavier be so openly hostile toward me?"


    "Hostile?" Henry blinked in surprise.


    At that moment, a manager approached them at the entrance to the ballroom and addressed Vanessa politely, "Excuse me, miss, may I have your name?"


    "Vanessa."


    He checked the guest list and looked perplexed. "I''m sorry, miss, but I don''t see your name on the list."


    Henry''s expression darkened. “Are you kidding? Don''t you know she''s my guest?" The manager hesitated, clearly ufortable. "Mr. Holt, I apologize, but Mr. Vaughn specifically instructed us not to admit anyone without an invitation." Vanessa''s face paled; she gripped her clutch tighter, forcing a smile. "Henry, maybe I should-"


    "No." Henry rarely lost his temper, but now his jaw tightened as he reached for Vanessa''s hand. "She''s my girlfriend. Does she still need an invitation?"


    The manager was taken aback and quickly stammered an apology. "I''m so sorry, sir. Please,e in."


    Inside the ballroom, Vanessa gently slipped her hand from Henry''s. "I don''t want to make things difficult for you—”


    Henry shook his head. "You''re not. They''re just being ridiculous. Don''t worry about it."


    Vanessa smoothed her dress, her voice soft. "Thank you, Henry."


    Her eyes drifted over the crowd until she spotted two children in the VIP section,


    with Eleanor and Mrs. Vaughn sitting beside them.