Chapter 527
lan slid into the car, his long fingers tapping twice on his knee before he checked his watch. “Take me to the city museum,” he said.
Gavin stepped on the gas, heading straight for the museum.
About half an hour later, Mansfield Ellington’s car arrived first. He and Evelyn made their way across the empty front lawn toward the museum’s grand entrance.
Not long after, Gavin brought the car to a sharp stop in the parking lot. The back door flew open, and lan strode out, making his way swiftly toward the entrance hall.
Inside the lobby, Mansfield’s gaze happened to catch Eleanor’s untied sneaker laces. He turned to her with a gentle smile. “Don’t move,” he said softly.
Eleanor froze, looking at him in confusion. Beside her, Evelyn tilted her head. “Mr. Ellington, are we playing a game p>
“No,” Mansfield chuckled, crouching down in front of Eleanor.
Looking down, Eleanor realized he was tying her shoe. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she instinctively tried to step back, but Mansfield’s hand gently held her ankle in place. “Stay still. I’m almost done,” he said.
Evelyn chimed in, “Mr. Ellington, can you make a bow for me too p>
“Of course I can.” Mansfield flashed her a smile.
Just then, at the entrance to the lobby, a sharply dressed figure stood silent-lan had arrived just in time to see the whole scene: Eleanor, hand in hand with their daughter, while Mansfield knelt, carefully tying her shoelace. Evelyn was laughing, saying something to Mansfield, her smile so wide it nearly hid her eyes.
When Mansfield finished with Eleanor’s shoe, he moved on to tie Evelyn’s in a perfect bow.
Gavin, having just parked and hurried over, was surprised to see his boss lingering by the entrance, unmoving. When he reached lan’s side and followed his gaze, he finally understood-Eleanor and Evelyn weren’t alone, and the atmosphere between the three was unmistakably warm and happy.
lan’s expression hardened. He turned abruptly and strode back toward the parking lot. Gavin hurried after him. “Mr. Goodwin, aren’t you going in p>
“Back to the office,” lan replied, his voice cold as ice.
Gavin didn’t dare ask more. He started the car, thinking to himself: Mr. Goodwin had rushed back from abroad, leaving business unfinished, only to find Eleanor and his daughter out with another man. Anyone in his position would find that hard to swallow.
lan closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his brow to ease the fatigue. The scene he’d just witnessed replayed in his mind, leaving him with a splitting headache.
Back in the museum, the trio was gathered around a towering T-Rex skeleton, blissfully unaware of lan’s presence. Evelyn wanted a closer look at the dinosaur’s teeth, but she was too short. Mansfield lifted her up, letting her gleefully count the giant teeth.
Eleanor watched her daughter’s endless curiosity, a helpless smile on her lips.
The three wandered through interactive exhibits, often bursting into laughter at Evelyn’s innocent antics.
After three hours, they’d explored the whole museum, and it was just about lunchtime.
“Let’s have lunch together,” Mansfield suggested.
“Alright, but this time it’s my treat,” Eleanor insisted.
“Deal,” Mansfield agreed easily.
At the restaurant, Evelyn and Eleanor went to wash up. As they stood at the sink, Evelyn suddenly turned to her mother, holding her hand. “Mom, did Dad call you today p>
Eleanor shook her head. “No. Why p>
“Last time I called him, he promised he’d come home and take me to the museum. Why didn’t he come p>
Eleanor froze for a moment-her daughter had called lan herself? Still, she doubted lan ever intended to keep his promise; for him, Vanessa had always come first.
She knelt down to straighten Evelyn’s collar. “Your dad’s really busy with work. Maybe he got held up p>
Evelyn’s lips puckered with disappointment. “I really thought he meant it. I guess he was just saying that to make me happy p>
Eleanor ruffled her hair. “But did you have fun today p>
Evelyn’s eyes brightened and she nodded. “I did p>
“Let’s go eat. You can order anything you like today p>
“Even ice cream?” Evelyn’s eyes sparkled.
Eleanor laughed, resigned. “Yes, even ice cream. Come on p>
Back at the table, Mansfield was discussing the menu with the waiter, asking which dishes would be good for a child.
When Eleanor returned, she overheard him and felt a warm fondness for the man across from her. “Evelyn isn’t picky. You can order anything,” she told him.
“I want ice cream!” Evelyn chirped happily.
Mansfield ordered a couple of dishes, and soon Evelyn was beaming at the towering sundae set before her.
During lunch, Mansfield asked Eleanor what her plans were for the rest of the day. Before she could answer, Evelyn jumped in, “Mom’s taking me to the beach next p>
Mansfield looked at Eleanor with hopeful eyes. “I’m free the next three days. Would you like some company p>
“Aren’t you going to see your dad in Kingston?” Eleanor asked.
“I will. I’ll spend the last day with him. For now, I’m staying with my grandmother,” Mansfield replied.
“You’ve done enough for us already,” Eleanor said, truly grateful but feeling guilty for taking up so much of his time.
Mansfield just smiled, brushing aside her concern as if it were nothing at all.