Eleanor hurried Evelyn out of the elevator, holding her daughter''s hand tightly and deliberately keeping her distance fromn.


    When they reached Eleanor''s door, Evelyn nced back at her father. "Mommy, can Daddy stay with us tonight?"


    Eleanor bent down and answered gently, "Daddy has his own room, sweetheart." "But-" Evelyn pouted, "I want to stay with you and Daddy together."


    Evelyn nodded reluctantly. Eleanor opened the door, led her inside, and closed it behind them. Then she knelt and looked her daughter in the eye. "Evelyn, Mommy and Daddy aren''t together anymore. But we both love you just the same."


    Evelyn nodded, only half understanding. Suddenly, she asked, "Will Daddy marry Mrs. Shannon?"


    The question stabbed right through Eleanor''s heart. She froze for several seconds, stunned that her daughter would even ask.


    She realized she''d overlooked something-her daughter was growing up, thinking about things she herself had tried to avoid. Sooner orter, Evelyn would want


    answers.


    She forced a smile. “That''s something for the grown-ups to decide, honey. You don''t need to worry about it."


    "But Mommy, if they get married, will they have a baby too?" Evelyn tilted her head, her face full of innocent curiosity.


    Looking into those wide, trusting eyes, Eleanor''s heart ached. She knelt and wrapped her arms around Evelyn. "No matter what happens, Mommy will always love you."


    Evelyn seemed to sense her mother''s pain. Suddenly, she threw her arms around Eleanor, a fierce little thought shing through her young mind.


    She didn''t want Daddy to marry Mrs. Shannon. She wanted him to stay with her and Mommy, always.


    That stubborn idea made Evelyn''s gaze sharpen with determination, even though she didn''t fully understand its weight.


    The next morning, Eleanor took Evelyn by the hand and knocked onn''s door. When it opened,n stood there in a casual sweater, the V-neck hinting at a quiet, masculine allure.


    "Morning!" he greeted them.


    "Evelyn, Mommy has a meeting today. You''ll stay with Daddy, alright?" Eleanor said.


    "Okay! Bye, Mommy." Evelyn waved her little hand.


    "The car''s waiting out front,"n said in his deep voice.


    Eleanor nced at him, then turned and left.


    Downstairs, a sleek Bentley was parked at the entrance. Eleanor slid into the back seat and headed straight for the Drexford Medical Summit.


    The conference hall gleamed with gold and crystal, filled with leading medical experts from around the world.


    Dressed in a tailored gray suit, Eleanor moved through the crowd with unmistakable elegance. Her refined features and poised manner drew attention; her youth andposure made her stand out all the more among the gathering of distinguished professionals.


    "Dr. Sutton, wee." Dr. Smith approached her with a warm smile. "Come, let me introduce you to a few colleagues."


    Eleanor nodded, her smile gracious. Her fluent English and articte expertise quickly impressed the group. Dr. Smith had evidently already shared her aplishments, and several foreign experts stepped forward to shake her hand and exchange a few words.


    Not far away, Tanya watched the scene with pride. To see a homegrown talent like Eleanor shine on the world stage-what an honor.


    Then Dr. Smith beckoned Eleanor over to introduce her to his university mentor- a Nobelureate.


    Eleanor could hardly believe it. She followed Dr. Smith to the front row, where an elderly gentleman with a shock of white hair awaited them.