"Mommy''s home," Eleanor replied.


    "So are youing to dinner with us?"


    "I—"


    "Please, Mommy, pleasee!" Evelyn pleaded sweetly, sensing her hesitation.


    Eleanor''s heart softened. "Alright, Mommy wille."


    "Yay! Thene down to the parking garage, Mommy. Daddy''s here to pick you up," Evelyn said.


    Eleanor wanted to spend some rxing time with her daughter as well. She let Joslyn know she was leaving and went downstairs.


    When she reached the garage,n''s car was already parked in its spot. The window rolled down, and Evelyn waved her little hand excitedly. "Mommy, hurry up!"


    Eleanor smiled and shook her head at her daughter''s eagerness, opening the car door and getting in.


    As soon as she was seated,n turned to her. "What are you in the mood for?" "Anything is fine. You decide," Eleanor answered, her tone calm.


    "Alright, I''ll take care of it,"n said in a low voice.


    Eleanor led her forward, andn reached over to take Evelyn''s other hand. For a moment, they looked like a perfect family, all holding hands.


    Eleanor instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Evelyn held on tight, so she had no choice but to walk into the restaurant with them.


    A waiter greeted them warmly and led them to a table by the window. Evelyn scooted close ton to help him order.


    Eleanor took a sip of water. Across from her,n was still in the same suit he''d worn that afternoon, the ck sleeve garter still on his left arm. Under the soft lighting, it lent him an air of restrained intensity.


    Just then, two figures walked through the entrance: Vanessa and her agent, Laverne.


    Eleanor''s eyes turned cold. She nced at her daughter. At the same moment Vanessa spotted the table Her expression immediately stiffened, her face hardening.


    She couldn''t believe it. In a city this big, she''d randomly run inton and Eleanor having dinner with their daughter.


    The sight of the three of them under the warm lights, looking so happy together, made her chest tighten. It was a painful image to behold.


    But Eleanor had clearly said she andn were just partners. Was she lying?


    Were they secretly dating, maybe even getting back together?


    Vanessa suddenly felt the urge to stir up some trouble. After all, little Evelyn was still quite fond of her.


    Quicklyposing herself, Vanessa put on a warm, friendly smile and walked directly toward their table.


    n, Miss Sutton, what a coincidence!" Vanessa''s voice was soft and sweet. She then turned to Evelyn. "Evelyn, it''s been so long! Have you missed me?"


    A happy smile spread across Evelyn''s face when she saw Vanessa. "Mrs. Shannon, long time no see."


    Eleanor took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around her ss. Ian shot Vanessa a cold look, his eyes filled with a clear warning.


    Vanessa ignored him and continued to smile at Evelyn. "You look so pretty today, Evelyn. Are you happy to be having dinner with Mommy and Daddy?"


    "I''m happy," Evelyn nodded emphatically.


    Vanessa then looked at Eleanor, her gaze pointed. "Miss Sutton, it looks like you two are getting along quite well I wasn''t mistaken when you said you and fan were just partners, was I?"


    The implication was clear: she was using Eleanor of lying.


    Eleanor put down her ss and met Vanessa''s gaze. "We''re having a meal. We don''t wish to be disturbed."


    Laverne quickly tugged on Vanessa''s arm. "Vanessa, let''s go to our table."


    n, darling," Vanessa said suddenly,


    casting a meaningful nce


    Eleanor I''m a little short on


    on your tab, won''t you?"


    "Vanessa,"n''s voice was low, but it dripped with menace.