In Laverne''s mind, he most important thing for Vanessa now was to get pregnant with Walden Wells''s child and secure her position, not to be here fighting with


    Eleanor over a man.


    Anyone with eyes could see how muchn cared for Eleanor. For her to go and poke the bear like that was just asking to be humiliated.


    At that moment, clutching her purse as she got into her car, Vanessa made a silent vow. One day, she would throw a twenty-billion-dor penalty fee inn''s face, sever his control over herpletely, and never suffer today''s humiliation again.


    Inside the restaurant,n returned to his seat, his expression back to its usual calm. He nced at Eleanor, who was patiently cutting steak for their daughter, as if what had just happened was a trivial interruption.


    Vanessa hadn''t returned, which meant he had handled it. And Eleanor wasn''t going to ask.


    "Daddy, did Mrs. Shannon leave?" Evelyn asked curiously.


    "Yes, she had to go,"n answered gently, skillfully twirling some pasta onto a fork and holding it to his daughter''s mouth. "Here, try this."


    Evelyn''s attention was immediately captured by the food, and she ate happily.


    The atmosphere was peaceful under the restaurant lights. Eleanor''s appetite hadn''t


    been affected; after finishing her steak, she was now eating dessert.


    Mother and daughter shared the dessert. Noticing a smear of cream on her daughter''s mouth, Eleanor gently wiped it away with a napkin.


    After dinner,n paid the bill. Evelyn suggested they go shopping at a nearby mall. Eleanor couldn''t say no to her, andn was always one to indulge her, so they apanied the little girl to the shopping center.


    The dazzling array of goods in the mall lifted everyone''s spirits. Eleanor took her daughter to the toy section.


    Soon, Evelyn had picked out a star projectormp and ran excitedly ton. "Daddy, look at this!"


    "Yeah! It''s a projector! It can make stars on the ceiling!" Evelyn nodded enthusiastically, her big eyes full of anticipation.


    "Then we''ll get it," Ian agreed without hesitation, gently smoothing her messy hair away from her forehead. "How about someday Daddy takes you to an observatory to see the real stars?"


    "Yes, yes!" Evelyn squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck happily. Eleanor stood nearby, watching the affectionate interaction between father and daughter. Though her expression remained neutral, her eyes softened slightly.


    Just then,n looked up at her. Their eyes met, and Eleanor''s breath hitched for a moment before she looked away.


    With one new toy, Evelyn was perfectly content. After paying, they headed home.


    Once they arrived,n said to his daughter, "Evelyn, you go on inside. I need to talk to your mother for a minute."


    Evelyn nodded obediently and ran into the house, clutching her new toy.


    Eleanor looked up, her gaze calm but firm. "I want this to be thest time she appears in front of Evelyn."


    She took a deep breath and looked


    straight at him. "Evelyn is still young and impressionable don''t want her i exposed to people who have malicious intentions toward her."


    Eleanor had been furious tonight, but she knew it was Vanessa''s one-sided provocation. She had used her daughter''s innocence, and as a mother, Eleanor would not allow anyone to harm her child in


    any way.


    "I promise,"n said, meeting her gaze. "I won''t let her disturb your life with Evelyn


    ever again."


    Eleanor nodded. "I hope you can keep your word."


    "I will,"n affirmed again, his voice deep and unwavering.