Eleanor left theb at five-thirty. Ian had already messaged her to say he would pick up their daughter.


    As Eleanor''s car pulled out from theb, it was followed by the usual two bodyguard vehicles—one fromn, and the other sent by Mansfield Ellington.


    Eleanor sighed. She picked up her phone, thinking of messaging Mansfield, but then remembered his special status and put it back down.


    She didn''t have any other hopes now; she just wished for his safe return.


    When Eleanor got home, her daughter was already back. Ian was helping her practice with a jump rope on the balcony. Evelyn had a frustrated frown on her little face. The simple motion seemed so hard for her to master.


    "Mommy, this is so hard!" Evelyn pouted.


    "Let Mommy teach you," Eleanor said with a smile, ruffling her daughter''s hair. She took the rope and slowly showed her how.


    Eleanor noticed his stare and faltered, stopping abruptly.


    "Mommy, you''re so good!" Evelyn pped, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension between the two adults.


    Eleanor handed the jump rope back to her daughter. "Evelyn, try again. Mommy has to go do some work."


    Joslyn prepared dinner forn as usual. It was a nutritious and hearty meal. Eleanor figured that since he had been picking up their daughter recently and lived downstairs anyway, making food for one extra person was no trouble.


    Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Vanessa and Laverne arrived right on time. Walden Wells was there, deep in conversation with two other men of a simr age.


    Shortly after being seated, Vanessa, with the manager''s permission, gracefully walked to the piano. Dressed in a long white gown, she sat down, and as her fingers touched the keys, a beautiful melody filled the air.


    The other diners were pleasantly surprised to see a beautiful woman ying the piano so wonderfully.


    Many of the men in the room stared, momentarily captivated.


    This, of course, included Walden Wells''s table. He was visibly taken aback, his gaze drawn to the piano.


    Vanessa could tell he was looking. She nced up at just the right moment, held his eyes, and offered a slight, polite nod and smile.


    Walden Wells felt his spirits lift. He summoned a waiter, whispered something, and continued to enjoy the performance.


    After she finished her piece and returned to her seat, a waiter approached with a ss of red wine. "Miss, this is a gift from that gentleman."


    Vanessa graciously epted it and raised the ss in Walden Wells''s direction with a thankful smile.


    Walden Wells, also holding a wine ss, observed Vanessa with the scrutinizing gaze of a hunter.


    Laverne saw it all and whispered to Vanessa, "Looks like the prey has taken the bait."


    Vanessa''s red lips curved. "You think so?" It was exactly what she had expected.


    As dinner ended and Vanessa and Laverne were about to leave, Walden Wells''s assistant came over with a business card.


    "Miss, my boss is very interested in getting to know you."


    Vanessa took the card and deliberately read the name aloud. "Walden Wells. I''ve heard of hispany."


    "In that case, miss, would you mind leaving a contact number?"


    "Her name is Vanessa, and she is an international pianist," Laverne interjected, seizing the opportunity to hand over Vanessa''s personal card.


    Just then, a man''s chuckling voice came from behind them. "No wonder the piano ying was so exquisite. It turns out she''s a professional pianist."


    Walden Wells himself hade over. Vanessa immediately feigned a look of surprise and delight. "Mr. Wells, hello. I didn''t expect to meet you here."


    "Miss Shannon is not only beautiful, but her piano skills are also superb," Walden Wells said meaningfully "Let''s be friends. We could have tea or y a round of golf sometime."


    Vanessa was secretly thrilled but kept her expressionposed. "It would be my pleasure and honor to be friends with you, Mr. Wells. But I have something to attend to so I must be going."


    "Go on, then. We''ll be in touch." Walden Wells didn''t press her to stay. As he watched her sway away, he saw her for what she was: a vixen just waiting to be caught.


    "Interesting," Walden Wells chuckled.


    Just then, the man next to him came over. "Mr. Wells, that Vanessa isn Goodwin''s woman, you know."


    Walden Wells''s face darkened. "What?n''s woman?"


    "The rumor is she''s the womann keeps abroad. I don''t know if they''ve broken up now or not."


    n stole my position, so it''s only


    fair I steal his woman, isn''t it?"


    Walden Wells steered a vicious look in his eyes in that case, I''m


    determined to have this Vanessa."