When Eleanor''s workload piled up, she relied on coffee to keep her going. Luckily, the break room always had fresh coffee brewing, and she had a beautiful mug of her own practical and stylish.


    "Thank you," Eleanor said with a warm smile.


    "I''ll wash it for you and bring over a cup of coffee in a minute," Gwenda replied.


    In the break room, Gwenda was rinsing the mug when Faye and her assistant walked in. The assistant eyed the mug curiously. "Gwenda, is that a new coffee cup you bought?"


    "It''s actually a birthday gift for Eleanor," Gwenda exined.


    Faye let out a snort ofughter. "Seriously? That''s the kind of gift you give?"


    Gwenda was caught off guard. She knew Eleanor wanted for nothing these days, so she''d spent a long time picking out a quality branded mug. Still, Faye''s jab stung her pride.


    "Oh! So today is Dr. Sutton''s birthday?" The assistant jumped in, trying to break the tension.


    Faye''s brow furrowed. Eleanor''s birthday... That meant she could expect gifts from at least four different men. Had Mr. Goodwin prepared something too?


    Just then, Gwenda noticed Eleanor herself entering behind Faye.


    Eleanor had caught Faye''s snide remark. She walked right up to Gwenda and said, "Gwenda, I really love your gift. Thank you."


    Faye''s face froze. Had Eleanor heard her?


    Gwenda still felt a bit awkward, but Eleanor continued, "I remember seeing this at the boutique. It costs over two hundred pounds, doesn''t it? Gwenda, you really went all out."


    Gwenda had indeed spent nearly that much, knowing Eleanor''s status-and not wanting to appear thoughtless. She was touched that Eleanor saw her effort. "It''s nothing, really. Just a mug."


    Faye gave a coldugh. "It''s just a mug. What''s there to brag about?"


    Eleanor turned to Gwenda, her voice calm but firm. "A gift''s value isn''t measured by its price, but by the thought behind it. To me, your kindness is worth more than gold."


    Gwenda felt a rush of gratitude. She also saw this as a chance to make up for any past misunderstandings with Eleanor.


    She nodded, feelingforted, and Faye''s words no longer bothered her.


    Faye''s expression soured as she turned and left.


    Back in her office, Faye messaged Vanessa: "It''s Eleanor''s birthday today. Better keep an eye on Mr. Goodwin-don''t let him sneak off to celebrate with her."


    After all, Eleanor andn shared a daughter. If their child called,n would show up without hesitation.


    It took a while for Vanessa to reply: "Noted."


    At four thirty that afternoon, Eleanor clocked out and stopped by the bakery to


    pick up a custom cake before heading to her daughter''s school.


    When she arrived, Xavier was already at the yground next to the school, watching over the two kids as they yed. The children were having so much fun they didn''t want to leave. Spotting Eleanor, Xavier waved. "You''re here."


    She smiled back. "You''re early today."


    Ten minutester, after the kids said their goodbyes and climbed into the car, Evelyn spotted the cake and her eyes lit up.


    "Mom, that cake looks delicious!" She stared at the cake through the clear box, licking her lips.


    "Remember, just a small piece, okay?" Eleanor reminded her gently.


    "I know, Mom."


    With the cake in hand, Eleanor returned home to find Joslyn already preparing a feast for dinner.


    Downstairs, the living room lights flickered on, illuminating the space. Ian had juste home from work, shrugging off his jacket to reveal a crisp shirt and tailored vest that hinted at the solid build beneath. He sat on the sofa, rubbing his brow, then tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling-lost in thought about the mother and daughter upstairs.


    Around six thirty, the doorbell rang. Joslyn went to answer and found Mansfield standing with a bouquet of flowers. She greeted him warmly. "Mr. Ellington, wee."


    Eleanor appeared behind her andughed. "I told you to juste for dinner- you didn''t have to bring flowers!"


    "I saw a flower shop on the way and thought I''d pick some up," Mansfield replied with a low chuckle, not about to admit he''d searched half the city for the perfect bouquet.


    "Mr. Ellington!" Evelyn called out, her face beaming as she craned her neck to see him.


    "Look at you, Evelyn-you''ve grown again!" Mansfield said, bending down with a smile.


    Eleanor took the flowers, and Joslyn bustled off to make tea and set out some pickles.


    Mansfield nced around at Eleanor''s newly decorated home. The spacious, sunlit rooms radiated warmth andfort, and a faint, sweet scent lingered in the


    air.


    "Mr. Ellington,e here! I want to show you my robot friend-his name''s Wiz!" Evelyn called excitedly.


    With augh, Mansfield followed her. At the kitchen door, Princess-the family''s loyal golden retriever-peeked out nervously, keeping a watchful eye on her young owner.


    On the twenty-seventh floor, Gavin rang the doorbell. Ian opened the door, a gift in his hand.


    "Mr. Goodwin, this is for Miss Sutton''s birthday," Gavin said, handing over the box.n took it with a nod. "Thank you."


    Gavin hesitated, recalling howst timen had asked him to deliver a brooch to Eleanor''s father. "Do you want me to take this to Miss Sutton for you?"


    Gavin smiled. "Of course, sir. I''ll be off, then."