By now, all the guests had arrived for the g. Xavier entered with an older gentleman, chatting amiably as they made their way inside. The moment he spotted Eleanor and his mother across the room, he politely excused himself and headed toward them.


    "Uncle!" Vivian squealed with delight and dashed over to greet him.


    Xavier took Vivian''s hand and nced a few steps ahead to see Evelyn nestledfortably inn''s arms. He smiled. "Let''s y with Evelyn in a bit, but first, let''s go say hello to Grandma."


    Eleanor watched asn held their daughter, the two of them deep in conversation for over ten minutes. She couldn''t help but wonder what they were talking about.


    "Mom, could you keep an eye on Vivian for me? I''m about to go up and give my speech," Xavier said to his mother.


    The family''s attentive nanny immediately took Vivian''s hand. Mrs. Vaughn stepped forward to straighten her son''s jacket, fussing over thepels as only a mother would. Xavier flushed with embarrassment-having his mother fix his clothes in front of Eleanor felt a little awkward.


    But Mrs. Vaughn''s motherly gestures were instinctive. No matter how old her children grew, they would always be her little ones.


    Eleanor found the scene heartwarming and smiled, catching Xavier''s eye for a brief, meaningful moment.


    Not far away, someone else was watching them. In the glow of the ballroom lights, Eleanor, standing among the Vaughns, might easily be mistaken for a part of their family—a picture-perfect trio in the eyes of any onlooker.


    Suddenly, the lights dimmed. A spotlight swept across the stage andnded on Xavier. His tall figure stood out, dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit that entuated his broad shoulders and slim waist. He exuded the poise and confidence of a seasoned professional.


    Several young women in the audience couldn''t take their eyes off the Vaughn Group''s heir. Eligible bachelors of his caliber were a rare find in these circles.


    "Thank you all for joining us this evening to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vaughn Group-" Xavier''s deep, steady voice resonated around the hall.


    Vanessa stood by the balcony entrance, watching Xavier. She vividly remembered the first time she''d met him he must have been only twenty-four then. In just five years, he''d matured into a self-assured leader, every gesture radiating the calm authority of a business elite.


    When it came to charisma, he was every bitn''s equal.


    Xavier was the quintessential heir, raised from childhood to take over the family business, following his life''s blueprint step by step.


    But while Xavier exuded steady confidence,n''s ambition was unmistakable. There was something maic about his intensity-a survivor''s edge that set him apart.


    "Thirty years ago, my grandfather started with nothing but a small boat and a fledgling tradingpany. Today, Vaughn Group stands at the forefront of maritimemerce."


    Henry lifted his ss of red wine, smiling as he watched Xavier on stage. “Doesn''t he look sharp tonight?"


    Vanessa took a sip of champagne and grinned. "Seems Eleanor really does have good taste."


    Henry just smiled nomittally. As Vanessa wandered into the crowd, ss of juice in hand, she made her way towardn in the dimly lit room.


    Henry, feeling a pang of frustration, took another sip but didn''t follow.


    "Evelyn!" Vanessa greeted as she reachedn and his daughter.


    "Mrs. Shannon?" Evelyn''s arms were still wrapped around her father''s neck, and she looked surprised to see Vanessa here.


    Vanessa offeredn a warm greeting as well. He nodded politely.


    Just then, a waiter behind Vanessa stumbled and nearly lost his bnce. Vanessa instinctively pushed Vanessa gently forward, and she caught herself by grabbingn''s strong arm. The waiter apologized profusely, but Vanessa simply smiled, "It''s alright."


    As she spoke, her gaze flicked a few yards away to Eleanor, who happened to be watching. As Eleanor turned her head, her eyesnded on Vanessa clinging ton''s arm, chatting animatedly with their daughter.


    Eleanor''s hand clenched into a fist. She strode over quickly. "Evelyn,e here, sweetheart," she called.


    Without hesitation, Evelyn slid down fromn''s arms and grabbed her mother''s hand. Ian''s arms suddenly felt empty, and his brow furrowed slightly.


    Eleanor stood with her daughter for a moment. Evelyn remembered her toys, still sitting on the sofa nearn. "Mom, I left my toys on that couch over there!"


    Eleanor nced at the sofa behindn. "Stay here with Vivian. I''ll fetch them for you."


    "Okay!" Evelyn nodded enthusiastically.


    Eleanor slipped behindn and Vanessa, who were too engrossed in their conversation to notice her. Just as she picked up the toys, she overheardn gripping Vanessa''s wrist, his voice low and resolute: "Remember, your life matters to me. Don''t ever hurt yourself again—not without my say."


    Vanessa''s expression wasplicated, but when she saw Eleanor standing behind them, she smiled brightly, lips curving into a practiced, confident arc. "I promise. I''ll never let you worry about me again."


    Vanessa let out a quietugh, fingers ying over her bracelet. "Ian, I trust you haven''t forgotten our agreement. I won''t let you break your promise."


    n looked away, adjusted his cufflinks, and disappeared into the crowd.


    Eleanor handed the toys to her daughter, her calm expression masking the unease beneath. Ian''s words to Vanessa echoed in her mind-so painfully clear and sharp.


    Aroundn, a handful of business associates gathered, eager to strike up conversation. He held his winess with polite detachment, keeping them all at arm''s length.


    Vanessa searched for Henry but caught sight of him deep in conversation with a young woman—the very one he''d been set up with earlier. Henry looked politely uninterested, but the girl beamed at him, undeterred.