Chapter 124
Airport.
Eleanor held her daughter’s hand as they met up with Joel. The moment Joel laid eyes on the little girl, he was instantly charmed. Evelyn seemed to like him too— after all, even kids can be swayed by a handsome face.
Before they boarded their flight, Joel bought Evelyn a small toy, winning her over completely.
Seeing how well they got along, Eleanor finally relaxed. With Joel there, she’d have some help looking after her daughter on the plane.
Two hours later, their flight touched down without a hitch.
Once they collected their bags, Joel hailed a cab and whisked them off to a five- star hotel near the National Academy of Sciences.
With two days to spare before the award ceremony, Eleanor decided to take her daughter on a proper tour of Kingston’s historic landmarks. Joel, now in full-on “dad mode,” tagged along. The three of them strolling the city looked, for all the world, like a happy little family.
One afternoon, they wandered along the old city walls. Eleanor led the way, holding Evelyn’s hand, while Joel trailed behind with their bags. Suddenly, a woman’s voice called out, “Sir, your daughter dropped something p>
Joel turned and saw that Evelyn’s little toy had fallen from her backpack. He offered a grateful smile. “Thank you p>
“She’s a beautiful girl,” the vendor said warmly.
Joel paused, then smiled back. “Thank you p>
The next evening, Eleanor’s phone rang. It was lan-he’d come to Kingston, too, and wanted to see his daughter.
Eleanor’s brow furrowed. She hadn’t expected him to track her down, but refusing to see him wasn’t an option. If lan got upset, there was no telling what he might do —and she wanted Evelyn at her side when she received her award tomorrow.
That night, Eleanor arranged to meet lan at a restaurant. He arrived right on time. Evelyn’s face lit up. “Daddy! Daddy p>
lan scooped her up, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Did you miss me p>
“I did p>
“Then how about coming back to the hotel with Daddy tonight?” he coaxed gently. Eleanor’s stomach tightened. Was he trying to take her daughter away from her? “No, I want to stay with Mommy. Daddy, why can’t you stay with us?” Evelyn tilted her head, eyes wide, chin lifted in innocent defiance.
lan considered for a moment, then said, “Alright. Daddy will move into your hotel.” Later, over dinner, lan asked Gavin to bring his luggage over to Eleanor’s hotel.
Around nine o’clock that night, Eleanor and Evelyn arrived at the hotel entrance just as Evelyn spotted someone by the flowerbeds. Her eyes lit up as she called out, “Mrs. Shannon p>
Vanessa, elegant in a flowing evening dress, was finishing a phone call. She hung up and walked over, greeting Evelyn with easy familiarity. “Evelyn, we meet again! Did you miss me p>
“I did,” Evelyn replied shyly.
Vanessa turned her gaze to Eleanor. “Good evening, Miss Sutton p>
Eleanor ignored her, instead turning to her daughter. “Evelyn, let’s head back to our room p>
But Vanessa was relentless. “Evelyn, I brought you a present this time! Would you like to come to my room and see it later p>
She knew all too well-if she dangled a gift, Evelyn would come running, and if Evelyn came, lan was sure to follow.
Evelyn’s eyes lit up. “Really? What kind of present p>
Eleanor’s hand tightened into a fist as she shot Vanessa a cold glare. Vanessa, feigning innocence, glanced at Eleanor before turning to lan. “Ian, I’ll head up first. See you soon, Evelyn p>
She didn’t rush—she knew Evelyn wouldn’t be able to resist.
lan had booked the hotel’s most luxurious suite and tried to persuade Eleanor to move in so they could all be together. She refused.
Around ten, Eleanor came to lan’s suite to collect her daughter, only to find Evelyn hugging a brand-new doll-Vanessa’s gift.
That’s when lan first heard about Joel-from his daughter’s innocent chatter.
So this was why his wife had left in such a hurry-she was traveling with Joel and their daughter.
While Evelyn played on the balcony, Eleanor waited quietly in the living room.
Behind her, a voice, edged with displeasure, broke the silence. “Don’t you think you owe me an explanation about this trip with Joel p>