Eleanor paused for a moment before picking up the shrimp and eating it. The anxious and expectant look in the man''s eyes opposite her finally melted into a faint smile.


    It was as if life was returning to a barrenndscape.


    Eleanor looked up and noticed he was still just watching her eat. "You should eat too," she said softly.


    Eleanor blinked, carefully studying his white hair as if pondering something.


    Noticing her gaze,n subconsciously raised a hand to his temple. "What are you looking at?"


    Eleanor snapped back to the present and said calmly, "Have you thought about getting that treated? To see if it can turn ck again? With some topical treatments, it might be possible to reverse it."


    She cared about him.


    "Okay, I''ll listen to you. If you know any specialists in this area, please arrange it for me. I''ll cooperate with the treatment,"n said with a smile.


    Eleanor nodded. They finished their meal, and as they were leaving, Eleanor asked him, "Where are you headed? I can give you a ride."


    "You should head back to theb. I''ll have Gavin Young pick me up,"n said, not wanting to take up her time.


    Eleanor nodded. Just as she was about to leave,n suddenly asked, "I have a g the day after tomorrow, and I need a date. Would you be willing toe with me?"


    Eleanor paused, then thought for a moment. "Is it mandatory?"


    "I hope you''ll apany me," Ian requested in a low voice.


    Eleanor nodded. "Alright. I''ll make time."


    As Eleanor turned to leave, the man behind her broke into a grin. He wasn''t just secretly pleased anymore; he was openly delighted.


    Gavin was nearby and arrived within minutes. He saw his boss standing at the restaurant entrance, looking utterly radiant under the sunlight.


    ***


    Friday arrived in a sh. Eleanor had been so busy thest two days that she''d almost forgotten about the g untn''s message came in at three in the afternoon, Are you done with work? Gavin will pick you up at five to go to the dress shop.]


    Eleanor was reviewing some documents. Seeing the message, she nced at the


    time. She could still make it. She replied, [Okay.]


    Meanwhile, on a flight that had justnded from Kingston, Vanessa was apanying Harvey MacLeod. A private car took them to the city cente Harvey was also attending the g tonight, and he hadO specifically requested Vanessa be there with him.


    Vanessa didn''t want to be back in Ashford City. Too many people in the social circles here knew her, whereas fewer people recognized her in the elite circle in Kingston.


    "Vanessa, go get yourself all dolled up. We''ll meet at the g at six," Harvey said, having his driver take her to a boutique.


    Harvey was, after all, a man of extravagant wealth, and he treated Vanessa quite well.


    He had, of course, heard that Vanessa was oncen''s woman and had also been with Walden Wells. Now, she was by his side, and taking her out was a status symbol.


    He didn''t care who Vanessa had been with before. After all, girls in their circle were passed around like that. Women were justmodities to be traded when you got tired of them.


    In the boutique, Vanessa no longer had an assistant, but Harvey had


    given her a generous clothing allowance After choosing a gown,


    shedooked out at the luxurious cityscape and felt a surge of disgust.


    Harvey had only said he was taking her to a g, but she didn''t know how high- profile it would be. If it was a major event, she could easily run into people from her


    past.


    Laverne used to go to great lengths to find out these things for her, but now she didn''t even have an assistant to order around anymore.


    "Miss Shannon, you look absolutely beautiful! This gownplements your skin tone perfectly," the salesclerk gushed with her usual enthusiasm.