As Eleanor was studying it,n reached them. He caught her examining the sleeve garter and smiled. "Well, you can stop looking," he said in a low voice. "because you''re the one who bought it."


    The statement made Eleanor''s breath catch, leaving her momentarily unsure how to respond.


    Joy, however, had a mischievous glint in her eye. She quickly found an excuse. "Ellie, I''m just going to pop to the restroom. You two talk."


    Before Eleanor could react, she was gone.


    "The shirt wasn''t a perfect fit," Ian exined. "The sleeve garter helps."


    Eleanor looked away. After they were married, she had been the one to handle all his clothes—the sizes, styles, and colors. She found it hard to believe thatn couldn''t find a well-fitting shirt now.


    Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she looked up at him. "I don''t see Mr. Aaron. Why isn''t he here?"


    As the man who had invested eighty percent of the fund, his absence was surprising.


    A flicker of emotion crossedn''s eyes, but his tone was natural. "Mr. Aaron had an urgent matter to attend to. He couldn''t make it."


    Eleanor didn''t press the issue. She had no personal rtionship with Aaron and had only asked out of curiosity.


    "Oh," she said, nodding. Seeing that Joy hadn''t returned, she said, "I should get going."


    "Let''s have dinner tonight,"n suggested suddenly. "We can take Evelyn out for a change of scenery."


    "We''ll see what Evelyn wants," Eleanor said. It was true they hadn''t taken their daughter out to eat in a while.


    "Alright. I''ll pick her up this afternoon,"n said before turning to greet an elderly gentleman, adjusting his suit jacket.


    A momentter, Joy returned, nudging Eleanor''s shoulder. "Was that deliberate?


    You bought that sleeve garter ages ago. How did he even dig it out?"


    "He said his shirt didn''t fit," Eleanor mumbled, looking down.


    Joy raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "At an event this important he''d pick a shirt that doesn''t fit? And he just happens to wear the sleeve garter you bought years ago? Sounds to me like he wore it just for you to see.


    Eleanor shot her a yful re. "What are you trying to say?"


    "I''m saying, is it possiblen is actually trying to win you back?" Joy teased.


    "Of course not," Eleanor retorted quickly, walking toward her car.


    "Okay, okay, I''ll stop teasing," Joy said, catching up. "But seriously, his reason for establishing this fund is you."


    "The Guild''s objective is the advancement of scientific research," Eleanor corrected her.


    "Right, right, whatever you say." Joy


    slid into the passenger seat, her yful expression turning more serious. But still, personal feelings aside establishing this fund shows incredible foresight and resolve onns part. That''s worth


    acknowledging."


    Eleanor gave a nomittal nod. Whethern''s motives were public or private, the fund was a tangible source of support for her, and she wouldn''t deny that because of their personal history.


    "I know," Eleanor nodded. "I''m going to make the most of this opportunity."


    "So, who is this Mr. Aaron who invested eighty percent?"


    Eleanor replied, n said he had something to do and couldn''te."


    "Oh," Joy said as her phone buzzed with several messages. She nced at it and smiled. "A few of my friends are already asking me about your project. It seems the public is very optimistic about your research."


    After dropping Joy off, Eleanor checked the time and headed home. Not long after she arrived, her phone rang. Assuming it was her daughter, she answered. "Hello?"


    "Mommy, it''s me!" Evelyn''s excited voice came through the line. "Daddy said he''s taking us out for a yummy dinner tonight! Are you home yet?"