"Alright." Eleanor was in rare good spirits. After all the pressure, she had learned to rx.


    Serena chatted about the fun they''d had at the hot springs, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Evelyn was already looking forward to their next trip together.


    At eight-thirty, after finishing her post-dinner fruit, Eleanor was ready to leave.


    Eleanor looked up. "I have my car."


    "Then can you give me a ride?"n asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    "You didn''t drive?" Eleanor countered.


    "Gavin took the car to run an errand,"n replied casually.


    Not bothering to question it further, Eleanor nodded. "Fine, let''s go back together."


    After saying their goodbyes to the Goodwins, Eleanor led her daughter to the parking lot outside. Ian couldn''t help but ask, "Do you want me to drive?"


    "No, thanks," she declined.


    Less than five minutes into the drive, Evelyn was fast asleep.


    Suddenly, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with several consecutive messages, as if someone was excitedly sharing something with her.


    Stopping at a red light, Eleanor picked up her phone. The messages were from Joy, who had sent pictures of her son wearing the outfits Eleanor had given him.


    Joy praised Eleanor''s excellent taste. Looking at the handsome and adorable little boy, a gentle, bright smile touched Eleanor''s lips, lighting up her eyes.


    He lowered his gaze, gently shifting his position to make their sleeping daughter morefortable.


    Just as Eleanor finished replying to Joy, the light turned green. She pressed the elerator and drove on smoothly.


    An oppressive silence filled the car. Goodwin Manor wasn''t far from Cloudcrest Manor, and the fifteen-minute drive was soon over. After Eleanor parked,n carefully lifted their daughter out of the car.


    Eleanor grabbed her bag and walked ahead, holding the elevator button for him.


    When they reached her apartment, Joslyn came to greet them. Just


    then, Princess''s excited barks woke Evelyn up. The little girl rubbed her eyes, and upon seeing she was home, immediately dered I don''t want to sleep! I want to y!"


    Cóntent


    smile graced her lips. She then said to Joslyn, not seeming to mind, "Joslyn, go ahead and get him a ss of water."


    However,n nced at his watch. "No, thank you. I have something to attend to."


    With that, he turned and left without another word.


    Eleanor, stil Mooking at her phone, was slightly taken aback before heading upstairs. Joslyn was also surprised it was rare for her boss to invite . Goodwin in for a donk.


    Why was he in such a hurry to leave?


    Was he really that busy?


    He opened the door to his apartment, loosening his tie as he walked toward the liquor cab.


    He got himself a ss of whiskey and knocked it back. The burn scorched a path down his throat to his chest, but it didn''t touch the dull ache lodged there.


    Just then, his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number from Kingston. Ian frowned.


    "Hello? Who is this?"


    n, it''s me," Garth Ellington''s steady voice came through the line. "Are you free toe to Kingston in:


    three days?" He continued, "I''m


    La dinne


    and would like for both you and Eleanor to attend."