When Evelyn turned to look at her father, Eleanor''s gaze swept over her with an icy indifference.


    Catching Eleanor''s look,n lowered his head, gently smoothing his daughter''s hair. His voice softened, "Be good, Evelyn. Daddy has to work tonight."


    "But-" Evelyn pouted, her lips jutting out in protest.


    "How about this—on the weekend, I''ll take you to the aquarium, okay?"n nced at Eleanor, silently hoping for her approval.


    "Really? Pinky promise!" Evelyn''s face lit up as she held out her little finger. Ian hooked his pinky around hers.


    "Daddy, you have to keep your word! No take-backs." Evelyn''s eyes sparkled with excitement, making it clear she''d remember this promise.


    "I promise, sweetheart. I always keep my word," Ian assured her.


    Aftern left, Evelyn turned to her mother, "Mommy, will youe with us to the aquarium too?"


    "I''ll have to check my schedule," Eleanor replied.


    That was enough for Evelyn, who dashed back to the couch to y with her toys, humming contentedly.


    Eleanor knew full well-even if she could erase every trace ofn from her own life, she could never sever the bond he shared with their daughter.


    Soon, Joslyn came by to help Evelyn with her bath, leaving Eleanor alone in her study. She opened her iPad and began reviewing her speech for tomorrow, eyes scanning each line with practiced focus.


    Wednesday morning dawned bright and clear. The Goodwin Biomedical


    Foundation''s inaugural ceremony was being held at the Vesper Joy Hotel''s grand ballroom.


    Eleanor arrived early, Ellington at her side as they surveyed the dazzlingly decorated venue. Today, the city''s elite, leading doctors, and a swarm of journalists would all be gathering here.


    She wore a pearl-white tailored suit, her long hair swept up in an elegant chignon. As a keynote speaker, her seat was right in the center of the second row.


    Eleanor nced around, searching for familiar names. Serena and Vanessa were nowhere to be found. Good, she thought. She''d never liked either of them; the event would be better off without their presence.


    "Ms. Sutton, I heard Mr. Goodwin personally donated five hundred million dors to kick things off," Ellington remarked quietly. In the world of phnthropy, it was a staggering sum.


    Eleanor nodded, her eyes lingering on the nametes arranged on the stage. Unsurprisingly,n''s name was right at the top.


    "Ms. Sutton, it''s still early. Why don''t you rx in the lounge for a bit?" Ellington suggested.


    Just then, his phone chimed. He nced at the message, tapped out a quick reply, and gestured politely for her to go ahead.


    Eleanor made her way to a lounge on the same floor, where a staff member promptly brought her coffee and a selection of pastries. No one dared to show anything less than the utmost courtesy to this particr guest.


    A few minutester, a figure in deep blue strode down the corridor-Xavier had arrived.


    Ellington, whose private rapport with his former boss had always been cordial, was waiting by the elevator. When Xavier stepped out, Ellington greeted him with a warm smile and gestured, "Mr. Vaughn, Ms. Sutton is in lounge three. I can take you there."


    "No need. I''m sure you''re swamped today-go take care of things," Xavier replied with an easy grin.


    Ellington, juggling a thousand tasks, gratefully nodded and hurried off.


    Inside the lounge, Eleanor pulled out her iPad and began working through her emails. She barely had time to settle in before footsteps sounded outside. The door opened after a polite knock.


    To her surprise, Xavier appeared in the doorway. "You''re here early," she said, eyebrows raised.


    "It''s only eight-thirty," Xavier replied, a knowing smile ying on his lips.


    He''d guessed she''d arrive ahead of schedule-after all, this was her foundation. If she could, she''d want an early look around. His prediction had clearly been spot


    on.


    "Knew I''d find you here," Xavier said. He asked the server for a cup of tea and closed the door behind him.


    Today, he wore a deep gray three-piece suit that fit him perfectly, a sapphire pin gleaming discreetly on his tie.


    Noticing the iPad in her hands, he asked with a hint of curiosity, "Going over your speech?"


    "Just some work emails," Eleanor replied with a smile.


    Xavier knew well enough-she could give a wless speech without even ncing at her notes.


    "Vivian''s been begging for a puppy or a kitten. I''m thinking about it-what do you think?” Xavier asked, the corners of his mouth lifting.


    Eleanor''s eyes sparkled with quiet amusement. She considered it for a moment before replying, "Well, it depends on what Vivian really likes, doesn''t it?"