Eleanor gracefully took the seat they had left for her at the head of the table. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft halo around her.
"Let''s begin," she said, nodding to Ellington.
He opened hisptop and started presenting the year-end report. Eleanor listened intently, her expression immediately shifting to one of cool, focused concentration. Other patrons who arrived couldn''t help but be drawn to the scene: a beautiful woman surrounded by seven men in sharp business suits. It was obvious she was their boss, and the men themselves, judging by their age and demeanor, were clearly sessful figures in the business world. Three of them were French, and they delivered their reports entirely in their native tongue. Eleanor transitioned seamlessly between French and English, her fluency effortless.
Every gesture she made radiated an unquestionable authority, a natural air of leadership. The other patrons overheard the men refer to her respectfully as "Ms. Sutton."
A few young women at a nearby table began whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and envy.
Even the three baristas couldn''t help but steal nces.
They recognized Eleanor from her asional coffee runs; her striking beauty made her hard to forget. They knew she lived in the exclusive Cloudcrest Manor next door but had no idea she was the head of apany. It just went to show that everyone in that neighborhood was either wealthy or powerful.
Lost in a world of data and projections, Eleanor was entirely unaware of the attention she was drawing.
Her charisma wasn''t a deliberate performance but a natural extension of her passion and dedication to her work-an aura that emanated from within.
An hourter, the meeting concluded. Eleanor stood and shook hands with Ellington and each of the managers, her smile gentle and her demeanor rxed yet professional. The group escorted her to the entrance of her residentialplex before departing.
As she walked back into theplex, she sent Xavier a text.
"The girls are still having a st," he replied. "Why don''t youe over and join us for a bit?"
Remembering theb data she still needed to analyze that afternoon, she typed back, "I have to get back to work, but how about I treat you all to dinner tonight?" "Sounds good. You focus on your work. Evelyn is fine here," Xavier answered.
Eleanor felt a little guilty leaving him to watch the kids, but they were clearly having a world
ful time together. Treating him to dinner felt like the least she could do to repay his kindness.
After finishing her work, Eleanor nced at her watch. It was already six o''clock.
She immediately picked up her phone and called Xavier.
"I''m so sorry, Ipletely lost track of time. I''ll book a restaurant right now."
"Already taken care of," Xavier said smoothly. "I''ve made a reservation. We can
head out whenever you''re ready."
"I''m done now. We can go anytime."
"Great. I''ll drive over and pick you up from your building."
Eleanor tidied up, let Joslyn know she was leaving, and headed out.
Downstairs, Xavier''s car was waiting by the elevator entrance. The window rolled down. "Hop in," he said with a weing smile.
Eleanor opened the back door to
find the two girls still happily lost in a role-ying game. After saying hello to Vivian, she settled in. Xavier''s car pulled smoothly out of the Cloudcrest Manor garage and into the glittering city streets. The festive holiday lights cast a cheerful glow, lifting everyone''s spirits.
At the restaurant, Eleanor and Xavier each held a child''s hand as they walked in.
The host immediately led them to a prime table by the window.
At another table, Serena watched them, shing with disbelief and envy. As fate would have it Serena was dining at the same restaurant with her friends.
She couldn''t believe what she was seeing: Eleanor and Xavier, out with the two children,ughing and talking like a perfect family of four.
Serena quickly snapped a photo of the scene and sent it straight to her brother. She didn''t need to add a caption; the picture spoke for itself.