A few minutester, Joel received the documents and turned ton and Byron. “Eleanor just sent these over. It''s the analysis chart from ourst experiment. Mr. Goodwin, VP Chase, take a look-these results could really benefit our civilian project. This marks our first major breakthrough."


    "Mr. Goodwin, look at this data point," Byron said, pointing at the screen.


    "Mm,"n replied, his tone perfunctory.


    Byron shot him a nce, then exchanged a look with Joel. Neither could figure out whyn suddenly seemed so distracted.


    Byron cleared his throat. "Mr. Goodwin, maybe we should pick this up another day?"


    Byron and Joel stood up to see him out.


    Oncen had left, Byron frowned. "What''s going on with Mr. Goodwin?"


    Joel closed hisptop, also sensingn''s restlessness. Was it because of Eleanor?


    Byron couldn''t puzzle it out and let it go, turning to Joel to discuss some of the experimental data. The two soon became absorbed in their conversation.


    Meanwhile, at Xavier''s house-


    The housekeeper had just finished setting the dinner table. Eleanor was in the bathroom with the kids, helping the two little ones wash up after a spirited round of ying with the cat.


    Xavier followed them in, watching Eleanor''s gentle reflection in the warm light over the sink. His heart skipped a beat. He was used to seeing Eleanor''s academic brilliance in public, but it was rare to catch a glimpse of her like this, rxed and radiant in private.


    He''d always known there was more to Eleanor than Dr. Sutton. In private, she had a captivating warmth and grace-her figure perfectly proportioned, every movement effortlessly elegant. Even just her silhouette could make your heart flutter.


    "Uncle Xavier, look! Did I wash my hands well enough?" Vivian asked, holding up her tiny palms.


    "I washed mine too!" Evelyn chimed in as she skipped out of the bathroom.


    Xavier coughed awkwardly, snapping out of his daze. "Great job, both of you! Let''s go eat."


    The girls scampered off to the dining room. Eleanor dried her hands and stepped out, and Xavier offered a quiet, "Thank you for your help tonight."


    Eleanor smiled. "This hardly counts as work."


    They joined the girls at the table, where the children chattered nonstop. Eleanor watched them with a gentle smile, and Xavier felt a wave of warmth sweep over him.


    Vivian was so open and sweet around Eleanor-it was clear she already saw her as family.


    Dinner was lively and full ofughter. The girls'' happiness was infectious, putting the adults at ease.


    At half past eight, Eleanor tried to coax her daughter into leaving, but Evelyn was stubborn as ever. "It''s gettingte, sweetheart," Eleanor said, a bit helpless.


    "Please, Mom, can I y with the kitten for just ten more minutes? Just ten!" Evelyn pleaded, clutching the cat tightly.


    "Alright—just ten minutes," Eleanor relented, striking a gentle deal with her daughter.


    Xavier brought Eleanor a cup of warm milk, grinning at the exchange. In his eyes, Eleanor was every bit as endearing as Evelyn.


    "Here, have some milk before you head out," Xavier said, setting the cup down. He never offered her tea or coffee at night-these small acts of thoughtfulness woven seamlessly into his refined manners.


    "Thank you," Eleanor replied, nodding with a smile.


    Ten minutester, Eleanor gathered up Evelyn to leave. She nced at her watch eight fifty already.


    They left Xavier''s building and strolled back to their own, mother and daughter meandering through thendscaped paths of theplex. The air was chilly, but after a hearty meal, a walk together felt just right.