She had just answered her phone when she froze.


    Under the hallway lights, just a few feet away, stood Xavier. His back was to her, and he was also on the phone.


    Her partner''s voice buzzed in her ear, but Serena couldn''t register the words. Just then, she saw Xavier end his call and start to turn. She quickly ducked into a nearby shadow.


    Xavier entered the auditorium through another door. Serena let out a quiet sigh, a flicker of insecurity in her eyes. Every time she saw him, her heart raced, but she no longer had the courage to face him.


    She knew he deserved someone better.


    Xavier''s seat was toward the back, but for a moment, he stood in the darkness, his gaze fixed on one spot-where Eleanor was sitting.


    He had seen her before the lights went down but hadn''t gone over to say hello because of the crowd.


    Now, in the dim light, he could clearly seen sitting beside her. It was almost to be expected.


    Xavier returned to his seat, his expression hidden by the shadows, and turned his attention to the stage. Just then, Evelyn walked out.


    A spotlight formed a circle on the stage as Evelyn, dressed in a small pink formal dress, stepped into the light. She bowed to the audience, then sat down primly at the piano.


    Her small, delicate hands rested on the ivory keys, and a melodious tune filled the hall-a simple but beautiful etude.


    She yed with intense focus, and the performance was remarkablyplete.


    When the piece ended, thunderous apuse erupted. Evelyn bowed once more and scampered off the stage.


    After the two-hour performance finally concluded, Eleanor andn went to the dressing room backstage to pick up their daughter.


    "Daddy! Mommy!" Evelyn squealed, running out from a group of children. She grabbed one ofn''s hands and one of Eleanor''s, beaming with joy. "Was I good?"


    "Evelyn, you were amazing,"n praised her with a low chuckle.


    The three of them walked out to the cultural za.


    A momentter, Xavier approached, holding Vivian''s hand. He greeted them both. "Eleanor. Ian."


    As Evelyn and Vivian chatted happily about their performances in the evening air, Xavier suddenly turned to Eleanor. "Eleanor, could I have a word with you in private?"


    Eleanor nodded. Asn looked over, Xavier exined, "It won''t take much of your time."


    "Eleanor, I want to invest the research fund my aunt left into your work," Xavier said directly.


    Eleanor was taken aback. The taken


    evening sun cast a warm glow on his handsome face as he looked at her with determination. My aunts wish was always to serve society." your research is sessful, it will be a monumental benefit to humanity." Cóntent


    Eleanor suddenly had a guess. She asked softly, "Your mother-"


    A flicker of worry crossed Xavier''s eyes. He nodded. "The doctors say she has


    early-stage dementia. We''re currently managing it with interventions."


    Eleanor''s heart tightened. "You must be taking great care of her."


    Xavier''s gaze drifted ton, who was crouching down to listen patiently to the children. His voice was low and sincere.


    "I don''t think Lever fully understood whatn went through back then-that desperation to do


    anything to save his mother, B


    now, watching my own mother


    slowly forget things, seeing held


    struggle to remember and th


    helplessness in her eyes? now I understand."


    Since learning about his mother''s condition, he had spent several sleepless nights, filled with anxiety about her future. He desperately wanted to do something, but he knew that current medical treatments could only slow the progression, not cure it.


    At this moment, all the money in the world was useless.