Henry pped Xavier on the shoulder, curiosity lighting up his face. "So, what were you two chatting about just now?"


    "Nothing much, just making small talk." Xavier looked up atn.


    Henry nced at both of them, clearly skeptical. He wasn''t convinced.


    "Let''s hear about your ind project. What''s the board''s take on it?" Xavier asked, steering the conversation away.


    Henry rubbed his temples, already feeling a headache brewing. "Those old men only care about short-term profits. It''s a headache, honestly."


    The three continued discussing the ind development, tossing ideas andints back and forth until two o''clock, whenn and Xavier had to head back to the office for a meeting.


    That evening, Eleanor returned home and noticed the gift Mansfield had sent over again-small, elegant, and genuinely lovely.


    At half past six, she received a message from him:


    "Home yet? Did you like the present?"


    She replied, "I loved it. Thank you."


    "When you have some free time, I''d love to take you and Evelyn out to dinner," Mansfield said.


    "Sure! But for now, spend some time with your family," Eleanor replied. After all, it wasn''t often he got to be at home with his grandmother.


    "Will do!"


    Their chat ended, and Eleanor headed to her study to review the day''s data.


    Airport.


    Gavin Young had been sent to pick up Serena Goodwin, pern''s instructions. She''d just returned from a two-week trip abroad, hoping a change of scenery would clear her mind.


    Gavin loaded her suitcase into the trunk and Serena slipped into the back seat.


    "Miss Goodwin, shall I take you home?" Gavin asked.


    "Not yet. Take me to Miss Shannon''s ce first," Serena replied.


    Gavin hesitated for a split second, but nodded and drove her to Vanessa Shannon''s house.


    By eight that evening, Serena and Vanessa were sitting in the living room, sipping red wine.


    Vanessa eyed her friend''s weary expression. "Looks like your trip didn''t do much good."


    Serena stared into her wine ss, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I tried, Vanessa. I really did. I kept telling myself to forget about him, but—”


    She watched the wine swirl in her ss, as if the ripples mirrored her own shattered heart.


    "I just can''t. I sneak looks at his photos, check his updates, reread his old messages. Some nights I can''t sleep at all."


    Vanessa reached over and gently patted her hand. "You''ve done so much for Xavier, and he has no idea. Maybe it''s time you told him how you feel. Let him know what you''re going through."


    Serena bit her lip, her voice trembling. "Even if he knew how much I''m hurting, would he pity me? Would he feel anything for me?"


    Vanessa gave a softugh. "You''d be surprised-men are a lot softer than they let on."


    Serena looked up, eyes reddening. "You really think so?"


    "Don''t forget who you are, Serena. You''re the eldest daughter of the Goodwin family. Are you really the type to let fate walk all over you? Chasing after a man isn''t as hard as people say it only takes a little courage to break through that barrier."


    Serena nced at her, suddenly curious. "Vanessa, you''ve never told me how you and my brother met. Can you give me some pointers? I know my brother''s even harder to win over than Xavier."


    Vanessa smoothed the silk strap of her robe that had slipped from her shoulder. Under the warmmplight, her long curls framed a face that was nothing short of stunning—she was the picture of grace and allure.