"Just got here," Xavier Vaughn said.


    Eleanor Sutton tucked her phone back into her purse, stepped out of the car, and joined him beneath a row of sycamore trees. A sharp chill swept through the air. She was wearing a light trench coat and instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. Xavier nced at her with concern. "Next time, you should bring a warmer coat."


    He was dressed in a suit-not exactly thick, but he seemed unfazed by the cold.


    "I''ll remember that next time," Eleanor replied with a small smile, the tip of her elegant nose tinged red from the cold.


    "Why don''t you wait in the car? I''ll go get Evelyn," Xavier suggested, wanting her to stay warm.


    Eleanor shook her head. "It''s fine-I''ll survive a few minutes out here."


    Xavier could only look at her helplessly, silently hoping the school gates would open soon so they could collect Evelyn and get going.


    It wasn''t long before the gates swung open. Xavier and Eleanor entered the school, and soon they walked out hand-in-hand with Evelyn Goodwin. Suddenly, Evelyn clutched Eleanor''s hand and pleaded, "Mom, can I go to Mr. Vaughn''s house? I really want to see the kitten Vivian just got."


    Eleanor hesitated, ncing at Xavier with a smile. "You really bought one?" "Yesterday," Xavier confirmed. "A British Shorthair."


    "Please, Mom, I want to see it! Vivian said it''s so cute," Evelyn begged, her longing obvious.


    "Why don''t you bothe over for dinner tonight?" Xavier offered.


    Evelyn''s wide eyes sparkled with anticipation, making her look just like a little kitten herself. Eleanor knew that if she said no, her daughter would probably burst into tears right then and there.


    "Ms. Sutton, please! Let Evelyne see my kitten!" Vivian chimed in, her big eyes pleading.


    Faced with two pairs of hopeful eyes, Eleanor couldn''t bring herself to refuse. She nced at Xavier and relented, "Well, thank you for having us."


    Evelyn bounced with excitement. "Yay!"


    "Mom, can I ride with Mr. Vaughn?" Evelyn asked eagerly.


    Since Eleanor had already agreed to dinner at Xavier''s, she nodded. The two girls climbed into Xavier''s car, while Eleanor followed behind in hers as they drove back to Cloudcrest Manor.


    Meanwhile, Mrs. Vaughn had just received a call from her son, telling her that Eleanor would being for dinner. She responded at once, "Alright, I''ll head back to the old house for the night. You stay home and have dinner with Eleanor." "Mom, is that really necessary?" Xavier chuckled.


    "Of course it is! With me around, you young people would just feel awkward. You''ll have a much better time without a parent hovering."


    Leaving the housekeeper to prepare dinner, Mrs. Vaughn called for the driver and left for the old estate.


    By the time Eleanor arrived with her daughter, Mrs. Vaughn had already gone.


    The two girls darted off to see the kitten as soon as they got inside. Surprised, Eleanor asked, "Your mom''s not here?"


    "She had to go back to the old house," Xavier replied, hanging up his coat. "Would you like something to drink?"


    The house was warm andfortable. Eleanor slipped off her coat, revealing a simple gray top and tailored cks-effortlessly stylish.


    Xavier looked at her with gentle eyes. "Tea or water?"


    "Water''s fine, thanks," she replied, making her way to the sitting room. The two little girls were already giggling and ying with the kitten.


    Eleanor couldn''t resist reaching out to stroke the sleek little cat. Just then, her phone rang. She nced at the screen and answered, "Hi, Joel."


    "Eleanor, could you send me that file?" Joel Kingsley asked.


    "Is it urgent? I''m at a friend''s house right now, but it''s in the same neighborhood. I can pop home quickly if you need it."


    "It''s a bit urgent. Sorry for the trouble."


    "No problem, just give me a minute." Hanging up, Eleanor stepped out into the hallway and called to Xavier, "I need to run home to send a file. I''ll be right back."


    "Sure," Xavier nodded.


    Elsewhere, in a nearby restaurant, three menn Goodwin, Byron Chase, and Joel Kingsley-were discussing details of a civil engineering project over dinner.


    As Joel checked his phone, he told the others, "Hold on a minute. Eleanor''s at a friend''s ce, but she said she''ll go home and send the file now."


    "That much trouble?" Byron asked, curious.


    "She said it''s no problem. Her friend lives in the same neighborhood," Joel replied.


    Joel, unaware of the nuance, nodded. "Yeah, she said she''d send it over soon."


    Beneath the table,n''s hand clenched unconsciously. Was this why she turned down his invitation today? Did she have a date with Xavier instead?