Serena jerked her head up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You want me to apologize,n?"


    She yanked her hand out of his grasp. "I didn''t do anything wrong! Why should I apologize? I won''t." She red at Eleanor, voice trembling with indignation. "What did you say to my brother, huh? Ever since the divorce, he''s always taken your side."


    Eleanor regarded the scene with icy detachment. She had no interest in getting dragged into the drama thatn''s spoiled little sister stirred up, so she turned to leave.


    "Don''t you dare walk away!" Serena shot forward, arm outstretched as if to grab Eleanor.


    Serena froze, her bravado crumbling. Tears welled up and spilled over instantly. "You''re yelling at me for her?"


    Eleanor nced back once, then turned to leave again. But as she rounded the corner, she walked straight into someone''s chest. Startled, she stumbled back, but the man caught her securely in his arms.


    Eleanor''s head snapped up, heart racing, only to find herself staring into Xavier''s face. She''d collided right into him.


    Serena stared in shock, mouth agape, jealousy flickering in her eyes. But for once, she had no words.


    Xavier looked down at Eleanor, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Did you hurt yourself?"


    Eleanor quickly stepped back, her cheeks flushing. She was embarrassed; it had been her own fault for not watching where she was going. "I''m fine," she said quietly.


    Xavier''s gaze moved ton. "What''s going on here?"


    Serena, desperate now, shot her brother a pleading look, silently begging him not to mention her outburst in front of Xavier. She could always stand her ground in front ofn, but in front of Xavier-the man she secretly loved-her bravado melted away. His mere presence always made her feel small.


    Serena gaped at him, stunned that he was doubling down-still siding with Eleanor, still demanding an apology.


    Eleanor frowned with distaste, turning to go, but Xavier spoke gently, "At least wait to hear her apology before you leave."


    Xavier didn''t know the details, but it was obvious Serena had crossed a line- enough to maken furious. He wanted Eleanor to hear an apology because, frankly, Serena had disrespected her far too many times.


    "Xavier, you both of you-" Serena''s voice broke, tears spilling down her face. "Why are you both defending her?"


    Just then, Gavin appeared, having noticed thatn hadn''t returned to the reception anding to find him.


    "Mr. Goodwin," Gavin announced as he approached.


    a bigger scene. He turned to Gavin. "Take her home. She''s not toe back inside."


    Serena stared at her brother in disbelief. This was the Goodwin Foundation''s event—her own family''s charity. How could he ban her?


    n! How could you-"


    "That''s enough,” Ian snapped. "Gavin, please."


    Gavin caught the dangerous glint inn''s eyes and stepped forward at once. "Ms. Goodwin, if you''lle with me."


    Serena opened her mouth to protest, but the look onn''s face silenced her. She bit her lip, shot a venomous re at Eleanor, and stormed off in a huff.


    The hallway fell into a strange, heavy silence.


    Eleanor didn''t react. Instead, she looked at Xavier and said, "I''m going back inside."


    Without another word, she strode toward the reception hall, her heels clicking crisply against the marble floor.


    Both men watched her go. Under the glow of the chandeliers, her silhouette seemed delicate and stubborn all at once.


    Xavier nced atn''s troubled face. He wanted to say somethingforting, but in the end, he simply pattedn''s shoulder. This was, after all, a Goodwin family matter-one he had no right to interfere in.