Tomorrow was the weekend. That night, nestled in her mother''s arms, Evelyn


    chattered excitedly about their hiking trip. Bathed in the soft light from the window, Eleanor looked at her daughter''s chubby cheeks and couldn''t resist leaning in to kiss her.


    Feeling her mother''s love, Evelyn wrapped her arms around her neck, curling up like a little kitten. She cupped Eleanor''s face and kissed her. "Mommy, I love you so much! I love you the most."


    Eleanor smiled and stroked her little head. "Mommy loves you the most too."


    Later, after her daughter had fallen asleep, Eleanor found herself unable to sleep. She got up and went to the master bedroom''s balcony, standing there alone for a while. As the night wind blew past, she whispered softly to the night sky, "You have toe back safe."


    At that moment, in a vi on the other side of the city, Vanessa was on her iPad, watching an interview with a man in his early sixties. He was a tech tycoon, the head of a globally renowned techpany. Despite his age, he was energetic and charismatic.


    Vanessa watched the interview over and over, a calcting glint in her eyes. This tycoon, Walden, was not only worth hundreds of billions, but more importantly, hispany was apetitor to Goodwin & Co. in several sectors.


    That made Walden andn rivals. If she could sessfully be Walden''s woman,n could forget about controlling her with that contract.


    She still had her whole life ahead of her. She couldn''t letn have her in his grip, especially now that he had no more resources to offer her. She had to find a new patron.


    Beside her, Laverne spoke up. "I''ve found out some of Walden''s itinerary. He''sing to Ashford City next Wednesday for a tech summit. This could be your chance."


    Vanessa''s red lips curled into a smile. "Then find a way to get me an invitation!" "But Vanessa, this Mr. Wells has a pretty bad reputation. Do you think it''s a good idea to get involved with someone like that?" Laverne asked, worried.


    "If he wasn''t that kind of person, I might not even have a chance," Vanessa said, toying with a lock of her hair.


    With a man liken, who was famously uninterested in women, she could have spent ten years trying and it would have been for nothing.


    "But this Walden character does have a particr fondness for artists. You might actually have a shot," Laverne said, happy for her.


    Vanessa lifted her chin confidently. "Men are all the same. They just pretend to be respectable."


    Vanessa was determined to make Walden her new backer, to shown and everyone who looked down on her that she, Vanessa, would never admit defeat.


    Seeing the confidence on Vanessa''s face, Laverne paused. She had been thinking of leaving, but now she decided to put that n on hold for the time being.


    The next morning.


    At 8:30, Eleanor''s doorbell rang.


    Joslyn opened the door to findn standing outside. He was dressed in a gray casual tracksuit, and his graying hair looked quite natural in the morning light.


    "Daddy!" Evelyn flew into his arms like a happy little bird. Dressed in a pink tracksuit, she was full of energy.


    "Ready to go?"n asked in a low voice.


    Eleanor nodded, a sports bag on her back. Behind her, Joslyn waved. "Evelyn, have fun! I''ll be waiting for you at home."


    "Goodbye!" Evelyn waved back politely and took her father''s hand as they walked to the elevator.


    A three-car convoy headed for the


    outskirts of the cityn''s car was in the lead with Eleanor and her daughter in the middle, and a bodyguard''s car following behind.


    To give Evelyn a truly wild experience, they chose a remote pristine mountain with


    man made trails. It was surrounded by green hills and clear water, with a deep blueke at its base.