Chapter 883
“Yes,” Eleanor replied politely before walking over to them.
“Their family is so good-looking,” another mother whispered behind her.
The first mother leaned in. “They’re not a family anymore. They divorced two years ago, you know p>
“What a shame. They seemed so perfect for each other p>
Due to lan and Eleanor’s high profiles, they attracted a lot of attention. Eleanor accompanied her daughter into the classroom and saw Vivian, who had been brought not by Xavier, but by Mrs. Vaughn.
“Oh, Eleanor, you’re here! Evelyn is getting more beautiful by the day,” Mrs. Vaughn complimented, then noticed lan walk in. “Ian, you came too p>
“Mrs. Vaughn,” Ian greeted politely. “Hasn’t Xavier returned yet p>
A shadow of worry crossed Mrs. Vaughn’s face, but she forced a smile. “No, some urgent business came up with the overseas company. He won’t be able to get away for a while p>
lan nodded slightly. “If Xavier runs into any trouble, please don’t hesitate to let me know p>
A glimmer of hope appeared in Mrs. Vaughn’s eyes. She looked at her son’s childhood friend with gratitude. “Just hearing you say that is enough p>
Eleanor, who had been watching her daughter, overheard their conversation. A thought crossed her mind: was Xavier’s company in some kind of trouble?
lan joined his daughter in some of the games, and soon her hands were full of toys, her cheeks flushed from playing. “Mommy, look at my presents!” Evelyn said, holding them up.
“That’s wonderful, sweetie,” Eleanor praised.
At eleven-thirty, lan led Evelyn out. “I’ve booked a restaurant,” he said to Eleanor. “Let’s have lunch together p>
“Please, Mommy, let’s go together!
she
It’s the first day of school, and I want both Mommy and Daddy with me Evelyn pleaded. At six years old, was beginning to have a mind of her own, and her requests were often more like demands.
Feeling helpless, Eleanor nodded. “Alright, let’s go p>
A twenty-minute drive brought them to an elegant Western restaurant, where lan had chosen a table by the window. Evelyn, acting like a little grown-up, ordered several of her favorite dishes.
As the food arrived, lan carefully cut his daughter’s steak, while Eleanor ate her own meal in silence. Evelyn ate happily, her eyes sparkling as she looked between her parents. “Mommy, you haven’t taken any pictures of me today p>
“I’ll take some for you now, sweetie,” Eleanor said, realizing she had forgotten to document her
daughter’s first day. She took out her phone and snapped a few photos. Evelyn then hopped off her chair, climbed onto tan’s lap, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Mommy, I want a picture with Daddy!” she said, flashing a bright, toothy grin.
Eleanor had no choice but to oblige, taking several pictures until Evelyn was satisfied and returned to her seat. Just then,
her ice crea net
arrived she excitedly took
spoonful and offered it to Eleanor. “Mommy, you try first. It’s so sweet p>
Eleanor hesitated for a second but didn’t refuse her daughter. After she took a
bite, Evelyn scooped up another spoonful and held it out to lan. “Daddy, you have a bite too p>
“Evelyn, just eat it yourself,” Eleanor gently chided.
But lan had already leaned forward and accepted the ice cream from his daughter.
Evelyn’s eyes curved into happy crescents as she finally dug out the biggest spoonful for herself.
lan looked across the table at Eleanor, but her attention was solely on their daughter, the distant air around her never once dissipating.
Just then, lan’s phone buzzed with a message.
“I’m going to the lab this afternoon. Can you come with me? I’m scared.” It was from Vanessa.