Gavin quickly refocused. Judging by Eleanor and Xavier''s interaction, it seemed Eleanor was treating him to dinner, and given her rtionship with Mr. Goodwin...


    Gavin decided he had overstepped. He cleared his throat and concentrated on his report. In his hands were the details of a major acquisition Goodwin & Co. was working on, and he began to present the information with rity.


    He was focused on the data and didn''t notice that his boss''s attention wasn''t on the figures he was pointing to. Instead,n''s dark gaze was fixed on the corridor leading to the private rooms, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his cup.


    "—so, their current asking price is still on the high side. The project department''s assessment is that there''s still about a ten percent margin for negotiation," Gavin concluded, waiting for his boss''s directive.


    When several seconds passed in silence, he looked up and sawn''s distracted expression. He paused and ventured, "Mr. Goodwin?"


    Gavin immediatelyunched into the reasoning, keeping a careful eye onn''s reactions this time. When he finished,n tapped a finger on the table. "Have the project department run a market analysis ofparable acquisitions. Use that data to renegotiate their premium."


    "Understood." Gavin gathered the documents. It seemed that while Miss Sutton and Mr. Vaughn''s dinner had distracted his boss, it hadn''t impaired his business judgment.


    After years of working withn, Gavin''s admiration for him had only grown. Ian''s empire was expanding, venturing into new sectors like the pharmaceutical industry andboratory investments with great sess.


    Meanwhile, in the private room, Eleanor and Xavier had ordered and were discussing Vivian''s situation.


    Xavier spoke openly about it. He had no shortage of internationalwyers, so Eleanor mostly listened as he outlined his advantages in the case.


    "So, we have at least a sixty percent chance of winning," Xavier concluded. As an uncle, he had more than fulfilled his duties. He refused to entrust his niece''s future to people he didn''t trust. It was a


    testament tense of


    responsibility. After the tragedy with his sister, his strength in taking on the care of his niece was truly moving.


    "I''m sure you''ll win custody of Vivian," Eleanor said sincerely.


    Her words made Xavier''s heart stir. From behind b


    his cup, his


    with a warm smile Th


    you.


    support gives me more confidence."


    Just then, their food began to arrive, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics like their children''s hobbies, Eleanor''s dog Princess, and Xavier''s cat.


    As they talked, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a text. She nced at it. It was from


    *Is Evelyn ying at Xavier''s?* he asked.


    Eleanor frowned. He was her father and had a right to know. She quickly replied, *Yes. I''ll pick her upter.*


    Xavier looked over. "Was thatn?"


    "Yes. Let''s just eat." A new dish arrived just then, and she gestured toward it. "This beef hot pot looks delicious. You should try it."


    Instead, Xavier picked up the serving chopsticks and ced a few slices of beef in her bowl. "Here."


    Eleanor smiled. "Thank you, but I can get it myself. Please, eat."