He was dressed in a white shirt and formal cks, his hair styled as if he had just stepped away from an important meeting.


    n, you''re back," Xavier greeted him.


    Eleanor nced at her watch and said ton, "Could you please watch Evelyn for a bit? I need to go up."


    Eleanor then turned to Xavier. "You two chat. I''m heading back."


    Eleanor did have an important report to write, and she walked briskly toward the apartment building.


    Xavier watched her go. From their brief and natural conversation, it was clear that the distance between them had shortened considerably.


    Eleanor''s attitude toward him was no longer as resistant or distant as before.


    A new, subtle bnce seemed to have formed between them, one built on the foundation of co-parenting their daughter, as well as the professional supportn provided for Eleanor.


    He understoodpletely.


    "Looks like you two are getting along better and better," Xavier said, a hint of teasing in his voice.


    That simple sentence encapsted his current state of mind. He was fully aware of the boundaries Eleanor had drawn and understood the patience and effort that would be required of him.


    Just then, Vivian and Evelyn approached. Xavier checked the time and said ton, "I''ll take Vivian upstairs now."


    "Daddy, will you take a walk with me?" Evelyn asked, takingn''s hand.


    At eight-thirty,n walked his daughter to Eleanor''s front door. Joslyn answered and couldn''t help but ask, "Mr. Goodwin, would you like toe in for some tea?"


    "No, thank you. I have something to attend to," Ian replied, then said to his daughter, "Daddy will be here tomorrow to take you to school."


    "Okay!"


    After the door closed,n returned to his own apartment on the twenty-seventh floor. His phone rang with an update on a developing situation.


    "Mr. Goodwin, Ms. Shannon is back home. Walden Wells and his daughter are still overseas."


    "What is Walden Wells''s attitude toward her?"


    "We have a few photos. It appears Miss Shannon is extremely dejected. We believe Walden Wells has cut ties with her."


    "I see. Understood."


    "Mr. Goodwin, shall we send you the photos of Miss Shannon?"


    "That won''t be necessary,"n''s voice grew colder.


    The person on the other end immediately replied, "Understood. We''ll continue to monitor the situation and report any developments to you immediately."


    Hanging up,n opened a small


    bottle of whiskey. He stood at the window and let the burn of whiskey


    steady him he had bought it thest time he and Eleanor had gone е grocery shopping, and she had been the one to pay for it.


    At noon the next day, a flightnded. Vanessa walked out of the terminal in a fout mood in the past, a private car was always waiting for her, and she received the best servic@no matter the time of day.


    But now, she stood at the airport entrance, luggage in hand, watching the long line


    of people waiting for taxis. With no private car, she had no choice but to drag her suitcase over to the queue.


    She put on her sunsses and a


    hat. A few men stared her up and


    down, making her ufortable. down, making Just then, she caught a whiff of perfume from a girl in front of her. The cheap scent made her frown and instinctively cover her nose.