When Eleanor walked out onto thewn, Evelyn ran over and hugged her leg. "Mommy, are we going to live here?"


    Seeing the hopeful look in her daughter''s big eyes, Eleanor smiled softly. "Yes. We''ll move in before you start school."


    "Yay! That''s great! Is Daddy going to live next door too?" Evelyn asked.


    "Yes," Eleanor nodded. She had to admit that with her future work schedule, she would need a reliable support system, andn would be the best partner in caring for their daughter.


    Up on the second-floor balcony, the man made a call. "Have the design firme in as soon as possible. I want three different renovation proposals by next week."


    "Yes, Mr. Goodwin."


    Before heading home,n arranged a tour of the school. The campus was truly first- ss, even boasting a professional equestrian center, as horsemanship was one of the school''s specialty programs.


    That afternoon,n arranged a visit to the stables to pick out a good horse for his daughter. In the end, Evelyn chose a Welsh pony, and they scheduled her to begin training at the stables right away.


    After settling things with Mann, the pony, it was already evening by the time they headed back. Evelyn was so tired she fell asleep in Eleanor''s arms.


    The night outside was soft and gentle. Holding her daughter, Eleanor felt a wave of fatigue and let her eyes drift half-closed. At a red light, her gaze inadvertently metn''s in the rearview mirror.


    He was looking at her too.


    After a few seconds of eye contact, Eleanor looked away.


    A slow smile spread acrossn''s face. Touring the new house and the new school


    felt like they were quietly building a new phase of their rtionship.


    ***


    Monday arrived.


    Eleanor went to theb, whilen took their daughter to his office. In the afternoon, he would take her to the stables for her training.


    ***


    Meanwhile, at a five-star hotel, Vanessa Shannon and Harvey MacLeod had just spent three days together. Just as she was thinking. about returning with him to The Kingston Elite Circle, Harveytook her to dinner with another man.


    The man was none other than Gael Brown, the wealthy heir who had shown particr interest in her at thest banquet.


    "Vanessa, listen. I have to go on a business trip for a while. How about I let Mr. Brown here look after you?" Harvey said bluntly.


    Vanessa understood immediately. Harvey had grown bored and was dumping her.


    For all his womanizing, even her beauty was just a fleeting novelty to him.


    Now that the novelty had worn off, he was passing her off to someone else like an object.


    Vanessa swallowed her humiliation and kept a smile stered on her face. In truth, Gael was better-looking and had better prospects.


    She was actually willing.


    Vanessa gave Gael a seductive look. "Then I''ll be in your care, Mr. Brown."


    "Don''t you worry, Miss Shannon. I''ll take very good care of you," Gael said, raising


    his ss. His eyes were already scanning her up and down with undisguised possessiveness and glee.


    He had often seen Vanessa at


    banquets before, but back then, he


    wouldn''t have dared to dream of approaching her. She was always surrounded by top tier, heirs liken Xavier, and Henry Holt men who betonged to the city''s billionaire elite.


    He wasn''t even in their league. Now, he couldn''t believe Vanessa had fallen into his hands.


    Vanessa had no choice. Harvey was clearly eager to get rid of her, and she still needed a man to finance her high-end lifestyle.


    Looking at Gael, who was in his early thirties, Vanessa began to scheme. This time, she didn''t want to be discarded again She wanted the title of Mrs. Brown. She was done being picky; any man willing to give her a stable life would do, and Gael fit the bill.


    "Where would you like to go after dinner?" Gael asked with a smile.


    Vanessa thought for a moment, then decided to test his generosity. "Mr. Brown,


    could you buy me a horse?"