The midday sun was intense. Eleanor got out of the car, raising a hand to block the direct re. Just then, another hand hovered over her head, shielding her.


    Eleanor looked up.n smiled, his face looking exceptionally handsome against the backlight. "Let''s go."


    Eleanor walked into the courtyard of the private bistro. It was quite crowded today, but thankfully, there were still two empty tables left.


    Several of the patrons were actually her colleagues from theb. The tables that had been full ofughter and chatter suddenly fell eerily quiet the moment the two of them walked in.


    Eleanor could feel the appraising stares from the other tables. After all,n was incredibly recognizable.


    After they sat down, she noticed that the people who had just been talking loudly were now whispering amongst themselves.


    Once Eleanor ordered,n added two more dishes. He smoothly poured tea for Eleanor, who had just received a few messages and was looking at her phone. The surroundingb colleagues took in the entire scene, making their whispered gossip even more animated.


    Eleanor was focused on replying to some experimental data Callie had sent. It wasn''t untiln gently nudged the teacup closer to her hand that she nced up, thanked him, and went back to typing.


    "The kid was thrilled. The instructor said she''s very talented and brave."


    At the mention of her daughter, Eleanor''s expression softened unconsciously. "She definitely is brave."


    Eleanor paused for a second before taking it. On the screen, Evelyn was dressed in full riding gear, wearing a little helmet, and sitting on her pony, smiling brightly.


    She swiped down to a video. Her daughter''s riding posture was spot-on, and she evenpleted a simple obstacle test. Seeing the determined look on Evelyn''s little face, the corners of Eleanor''s mouth lifted into a smile.


    "Looks like she really had a st," Eleanor said, handing the phone back.


    Eleanor nodded. "Alright. If I get the chance, I''ll go watch her."


    The food arrived, and the two of


    them ate quietly. Just then, the voices of some female colleagues from theb drifted over from?


    nearby table.


    "I didn''t expectn to be even more handsome in person than in the financial magazines..."


    "Do you think Dr. Sutton will remarry him?"


    "How did his hair turn white? Is he sick?"


    "He doesn''t look sick. It must have been some huge emotional shock. It looks like it turned white overnight."


    These faint whispers found their way to Eleanor''s ears. She lowered her eyes, focusing entirely on the food on her te.


    Soon, the people at those tables left, and the area grew much quieter.


    Eleanor looked up atn''s hair


    ing curious herself about how


    seeming


    it had turned white.


    fo


    "Are you wondering how my hair turned white, too?"n asked, pointing at his head.


    Eleanor awkwardly averted her eyes. "If you don''t want to talk about it—"