Dinner wrapped up around eight-thirty. Eleanor took her daughter''s hand and said gently, "Say goodbye to your dad, sweetheart."


    Evelyn, always the considerate child, nodded. She knew she couldn''t ask for more than this-her father had made time just to share a meal with her, and that was enough.


    "Bye, Daddy," Evelyn called, waving her small hand.


    Evelyn ran straight into his embrace, and he held her close for a moment. Then Eleanor, without looking back, took Evelyn''s hand and led her toward the elevator. Tonight, she and her daughter would be staying here.


    Goodwin Manor.


    Serena was lounging at home, sipping tea with Vanessa, when her phone buzzed with a new photo. She nced at the screen, her face darkening.


    "What is it?" Vanessa asked, setting her cup down with her usual poise.


    Serena handed her the phone. "Can you believe this? My brother actually spent Christmas with Eleanor."


    Vanessa''s smile didn''t falter. "Looks liken really does love Evelyn."


    "Aren''t you upset?" Serena''s voice was edged with disbelief. Just seeing those photos made her blood boil.


    "I''ve always knownn is a wonderful father. I admire that about him." Vanessa took a slow sip of tea, her eyes thoughtful. "But Eleanor... she''s interesting."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I heard from my sister that Xavier sent her flowers and gifts yesterday, and today she''s having dinner withn and Evelyn." Vanessa gave Serena a knowing look. "She certainly knows how to keep her options open."


    Serena clenched her fists, her tone bitter. "That''s exactly what I''ve been saying- she''s so fickle! Why can''t Xavier see through her?"


    Vanessa reached over, her gaze gentle. "Don''t worry, Serena. It''s only a matter of time before Xavier figures out what Eleanor is really like."


    Ever since that humiliating encounter with Xavier, Serena had been in a funk. If it weren''t for Vanessa''s steady support, she wasn''t sure she''d have pulled herself out of her gloomy mood.


    "Next time I see Eleanor, I''m going to give her a piece of my mind. If she dares mess with Xavier''s feelings, she''ll have to answer to me." Serena''s jaw was set in determination—she would never let anyone hurt Xavier.


    Vanessa chuckled softly, but just then a new message popped up on her phone. She nced at it-Henry Holt.


    "That custom perfume you liked has arrived. I''ll have it delivered to you tomorrow." Vanessa didn''t bother replying; she simply set her phone face-down on the table.


    "Was that my brother texting you?" Serena asked curiously.


    “No, just spam.” Vanessa smiled lightly. "Serena, it''s gettingte. You should head home and get some rest. Those dark circles under your eyes are getting worse."


    "Really? Is it that bad?" Serena immediately pulled out her phone to check her reflection.


    In just two weeks, her brother''s foundation would be holding itsunch g. She was already looking forward to seeing Xavier again—she couldn''t show up looking tired and haggard.


    "I have some sleeping pills here," Vanessa offered. "Take one each night, and you''ll fall asleep in no time."


    Serena eyed the bottle and grinned. She was sure Vanessa spent sleepless nights pining for her brother-why else would she be so prepared?


    "Vanessa, you know, there''s really no reason for you and my brother to sleep in separate rooms. He''s single now, and so are you. Why not just go to him? I''m sure he''d love thepany."


    Vanessa''s cheeks flushed. "Serena, that''s something your brother has to bring up first."


    Serena scoffed. "You know what he''s like—a total workaholic. If you wait for him to make the first move, you''ll be waiting forever."


    Vanessa''s smile was warm and patient. "I don''t mind waiting. He''s worth it."


    Serena couldn''t help but admire Vanessa-so gentle, so thoughtful, so understanding. No wonder her brother was so fond of her. Compared to Eleanor''s stubborn streak, Vanessa was a thousand times better.


    Honestly, she couldn''t understand what men saw in Eleanor. Aside from beingpetent, there wasn''t much else going for her.


    Once Serena left, Vanessa let out a soft sigh and finally picked up her phone to reply to Henry: "Thank you, truly. I''m sorry for all the trouble."


    This perfume was one of a kind, not something you could buy in any store. Vanessa had used it for nearly eight years now, never once changing her scent.