The nended smoothly at Ashford City Airport. Eleanor collected her luggage and followed the crowd toward the arrivals hall. She had arranged for Ellington to pick her up, but as soon as she emerged, she spotted a tall figure in the crowd.


    Eleanor hurried over. As her daughter reached out fromn''s arms, Eleanor opened hers to receive her. Just then, Ellington approached with a smile. "Ms. Sutton."


    "Ellington, you can head back to the office," Eleanor told him, knowing how busy things were at thepany.


    Ellington nodded and greetedn. "Mr. Goodwin, I''ll leave Ms. Sutton in your care then. I''m heading back to thepany."


    Eleanor nted a kiss on her daughter''s cheek. "Did you miss Mommy?"


    "Yes," Evelyn said, wrapping her arms around Eleanor''s neck and whispering conspiratorially, "Mommy, guess what Daddy brought for you?"


    Eleanor shook her head. "I don''t know."


    Evelyn leaned close to her ear and whispered carefully, "Mommy, Daddy bought you a bouquet of flowers!"


    Eleanor put her daughter down and took her hand. At that moment, she noticed a burly figure nearby.n''s bodyguard, Lanny, greeted her, "Miss Sutton."


    Eleanor gave him a polite nod. His presence was to ensure her daughter''s safety, and for that, she was grateful.


    In the car, a bouquet of red roses sat on the back seat. Evelyn happily picked it up and presented it to Eleanor. "Mommy, do you like it? I picked it out!"


    Eleanor epted the flowers and gently tapped her daughter''s nose. "They''re beautiful. Mommy loves them."


    At that moment, the man standing by the other car door looked at Eleanor, who had just returned from Kingston. She seemed to have an extra glow about her. His eyes darkened slightly He closedgier door, then opened the front


    passenger door and got in.


    During the drive, Evelyn chattered about all the fun things she''d done over the past


    few days. Lanny drove, whilen listened quietly to his daughter.


    About halfway through the ride, Evelyn fell asleep in Eleanor''s arms, and the car finally fell silent.


    Lanny drove very smoothly. Eleanor happened to notice two cars


    escorting them, one in front and one behind. Her gaze drifted to the man in the passenger seat, and Suspicion formed in her mind H? was traveling with bodyguards now. Hád something happened with his work?


    One year,n had received a warning from the authorities that someone was targeting him. That entire year, she and their daughter had required bodyguards whenever they went out.


    When the motorcade reached the


    elevator entrance in the


    underground parking garage,n leaned over to take their sleeping daughter from Eleanor''s arms. Hisrge hand brushed against the back of hers, and for a fleeting moment the familiar touch sent a jolt through his heart.


    By


    In the elevator,n turned with their daughter in his arms and saw the woman walk


    in holding the flowers. A flicker of pleasure crossed his eyes.


    "Was your trip to Kingston sessful?"n asked, breaking the silence.


    "Very sessful," Eleanor answered curtly.


    "Congrattions."


    "Thank you."


    The elevator reached their floor. Ian carried their daughter toward Eleanor''s apartment. Eleanor hurried past him to unlock the door. Ian went in first, and Eleanor followed with her suitcase.