The next morning, Eleanor had a heavy workload. Serena called to invite her to Goodwin Manor for dinner, but Eleanor had to work until eight, so she declined.


    She ate at the cafeteria, where she happened to run into Joel. They talked about work for a bit. Joel''s civilian project was progressing smoothly, but Eleanor could see that he had lost some weight recently.


    Eleanor felt for him. Since his mother passed away, there was no one left to look after him.


    "Joel, have you thought about your personal life at all?" Eleanor asked, taking the opportunity to probe. Joel was thirty this year.


    Joel pushed up his sses and smiled. "Why? Do you have someone to set me up with?"


    Eleanor smiled and shook her head. "No, everyone I know is married. You''ll have to rely on fate. I''m just saying—if you meet someone suitable, you could see how it goes."


    Joel looked down, then shook his head. "Not right now. I''m too swamped with work to even think about it. I''d just end up neglecting a girlfriend anyway."


    Eleanor understood that. As researchers, they often got so busy they truly had no time for anyone else.


    Joel looked up at her, as if he wanted to ask something, but he held back. Whatever choices Eleanor made from now on, he would support her.


    After working overtime at theb until eight, Eleanor drove toward Goodwin Manor. While waiting at a red light, she saw a ck SUV pull up behind her in the rearview mirror. It was one of Lanny''s men, who escorted her on her travels every day.


    Aplex feeling washed over Eleanor. Just then, the light turned green, and she stepped on the gas, heading toward Goodwin Manor.


    On the summer evening, the antique gates of Goodwin Manor looked particrly serene. She parked outside the courtyard and rang the bell for the pedestrian gate. It soon opened automatically. As Eleanor pushed the gate open and entered the garden, she heard her daughter''s excited voice. Someone was clearly ying with her.


    When Eleanor walked into the living room, she sawn and her daughter building with blocks. Evelyn had just finished her creation and was wiggling and dancing with excitement. Ian watched from the side, smiling along with her.


    Evelyn''s sharp eyes spotted Eleanor, and she eximed, "Mommy!"


    She then darted over like a happy little bird. "Mommy, Daddy has a present for you!"


    Eleanor looked up, her gaze meetingn''s. He smiled and stood up to greet her. "You''re back. Have you eaten?"


    "I have," Eleanor nodded, avoiding his intense gaze.


    "Ellie, have some fruit," Magdalen called,ing over from the direction of the


    sunroom.


    Eleanor wanted to take her daughter home, but she couldn''t refuse Magdalen. "Okay, Grandma."


    "Mommy, look at the building blocks Daddy bought me! It''s a dinosaur But it''s only half-finished. I''m waiting for "Aunt Serena toe back and help me. Evelyn said, poining with her small hand.


    Eleanor saw the half-finished dinosaur and knelt down. "How about youe back tomorrow to finish it with Auntie? Let''s go home tonight."


    "No, I want to finish it tonight! Mommy, I want to sleep at Grandma''s house again," Evelyn sad shaking her little head insistent on finishing her dinosaur.


    "Serena is on her way home. Just let Evelyn stay for another night," Magdalen said


    with a smile. "You must be tired from work."


    Eleanor knew her daughter''s personality. Once she set her mind on finishing something, she had to see it through.


    In that way, she was just like her a little stubborn.


    "Alright," Eleanor agreed with a nod.


    A little whileter, Gina Quinn came downstairs. After her recent illness, her temperament had changed quite a bit she had grown to prefer the quiet. .