Mansfield had already eaten the other half. It seemed both men preferred the in steamed buns over noodles.


    Eleanor picked up the piece she had been eating. She tore off the part she had bitten and handed the rest to him. "If you don''t mind, here."


    Xavier smiled. "Of course not." Even if she hadn''t torn off her part, he wouldn''t have minded.


    Across the table, Mansfield looked up at Xavier. For a brief moment, unseen by Eleanor, a spark of rivalry seemed to crackle in the air between them before dissipating into a quiet, peaceful silence.


    A few minutester, Eleanor emerged from the lounge, followed by Mansfield, who was carrying the empty containers to the trash, and Xavier, who was talking to her quietly. Ian forced himself to look away, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.


    Faye watched, stunned. She had half-expected the two men to get into a fight over Eleanor, or at least give each other the cold shoulder. But instead, they were coexisting peacefully, seemingly willing to suppress their own feelings for Eleanor''s sake. Their profound respect and care for her only highlighted how much she meant to them-so much that they would tolerate a rival''s presence rather than cause her any distress.


    She had also noticedn constantly ncing toward the lounge, his concern for his ex-wife painfully obvious. And yet, even though Faye was about to be his


    sister-inw, he had barely looked at her, treating her like aplete stranger. Given all the support he had given the Yeatons, his coldness was baffling. Faye couldn''t


    understand it, nor did she have the courage to approach him. His intimidating aura was so intense it was suffocating.


    He was a man to be admired from afar, yet feared up close. She had to give Vanessa credit for capturing his heart.


    Faye''s gaze fell on Eleanor again. Xavier was walking beside her, his eyes so full


    of affection they seemed to melt.


    *Go on, Eleanor,* she thought bitterly. *Lead them all on until they''re all heartbroken and hate you.*


    The intense jealousy felt like acid corroding her heart. She had always believed they started from the same ce or that she had even had a better starts so why had things turned out this way? Eleanors mere existence made all of Faye''s hard work feel like a joke. It was as if Eleanor did nothing and still ended up with everything.


    Her phone buzzed with a reply from Vanessa. She looked down to read the message.ust focus on taking care of Professor Langley. Don''t pay attention to anything else. Ian is only there because of her condition."


    Another message followed. "And remember, don''t get too close to Xavier."


    Faye frowned. Why the specific warning? She recalled the warning look Xavier had given her earlier. Had he found out something? Could Vanessa have shown him the video she sent?