The next morning, Eleanor awoke refreshed after a good night''s sleep, the scent of spring thick in the air.


    She was dressed in a soft white blouse and a form-fitting skirt, her hair styled in a gentle low bun with a few stray strands framing her delicate features. She looked like a magnolia blossom, exuding a subtle, captivating fragrance.


    Today, Evelyn wanted her mother to take her to school, and Eleanor had agreed. As she led her daughter out the door, she wasn''t surprised to see the man leaning against the wall.


    He wore a simple ck shirt and matching trousers, which made his gray-white hair seem even colder.


    "Morning,"n said, straightening up, his voice a little hoarse.


    Evelyn chirped happily and ran to hug his arm. "Daddy, Mommy''s taking me to school today!"


    Eleanor looked inton''s eyes. He seemed alert, but they were heavily bloodshot, a clear sign of a sleepless night.


    "I''ll take Evelyn to school. You should go home and rest," Eleanor told him.


    "I''lle with you,"n said suddenly.


    Evelyn''s eyes lit up. "Yay! I want Mommy and Daddy to take me together."


    Eleanor was taken aback. Ian looked over at her. "I don''t feel right about you going alone."


    His words were a reminder of the recent kidnapping.


    "Alright," Eleanor nodded, not refusing.


    Downstairs, Lanny drove while Eleanor sat in the back with her daughter andn took the passenger seat. Ten minutester, they arrived at the kindergarten.n turned to Eleanor. "I''ll walk her in."


    Eleanor waved to her daughter. "See you this afternoon."


    "Bye, Mommy," Evelyn said as she got out of the car. Escorted by her father, she reached the kindergarten gate, waved, and went inside.


    After dropping off his daughter,n returned to the car, choosing to sit in the back this time. The car fell silent.


    Lanny, in the driver''s seat, tactfully raised the partition, giving them their privacy. "How is his injury healing?"n asked, his voice calm.


    Eleanor turned from the window. "It''s healing well. He should be out of the hospital next week."


    "That''s good. I owe him for what happened,"n said, his gaze deep as it rested on Eleanor''s face. "I''m very grateful to him."


    Eleanor understood the underlying


    meaning of his words. She was Evelyn''s mother and her primary future donor her life was crucial to their daughter''s.


    "He saved my life," Eleanor said. "Without him, I would have died that night."


    The car fell silent again. After a few seconds,n''s throat moved. "How is he with Evelyn-"


    "He adores Evelyn, and he respects her," Eleanor cut him off. "I know what you''re worried about. I''ll handle it."


    The car stopped next to Eleanor''s parking spot. As she opened the door to get out, she turned to him. "Don''t forget to get a full physical."


    "I know,"n replied.


    Eleanor got into her own car. A momentter, the elegant Bentley drove out of the garage. As soon as her car left, a military green SUV immediately followed.


    Shortly after, Lanny''s phone rang. He answered it. "Hello?"


    "Boss, a military-green SUV is following Miss Sutton''s car. It looks like a military vehicle."


    Lanny reported ton in the back


    seat, "Mr. Goodwin, Miss Sutton''s car is being followed by


    military-green SUV. Should our men still follow?"


    Had Mansfield also assigned people to protect Eleanor?


    "Have them keep their distance, but don''t let her car out of their sight,"n instructed, closing his eyes.