But things were different now.

Answering whether she liked it or not was meaningless.

Besides, this symbol had once caused her immense pain.

The pool water rippled, and the sunlight was a bit glaring, but the man’s gaze remained locked on her, as if still waiting for an answer. His thick lashes were dotted with water, resembling dense, feathered fans, making his eyes seem as deep as the

ocean.

“As long as you like it,” Eleanor said, lowering her eyes, giving the same answer as before.

lan’s eyes dimmed. He heard the evasion in her voice but didn’t press her further.

He just smiled and replied in a low tone, “I like it.”

The words were quiet but clear, carrying an undeniable certainty.

Eleanor kept her eyes down, idly splashing the water with her hand. Ian handed her the floatie, then turned and dove gracefully back into the water.

Across the pool, Serena, who had been keeping her niece occupied, couldn’t hear their conversation, but she could see that Eleanor’s expression was no longer cold when she was with her brother.

After another twenty minutes of swimming, everyone got out. Serena took Evelyn’s hand and went up to change first.

Clearly, Serena’s purpose in coming along was well-defined: to be the babysitter.

She made sure Evelyn didn’t disturb her parents, giving them as much time alone as possible.

Eleanor climbed out of the pool. In the sunlight, her black one-piece swimsuit accentuated her slender, delicate curves. Water droplets on her skin refracted the light, making her look as fair as snow.

lan, however, remained in the water. As for why-only he knew.

Only after Eleanor had gone back inside did he get out, walk over to a lounge chair, and wrap a towel around his waist.

After four in the afternoon, lan took his daughter to collect seashells, while Eleanor rested at the hotel.

When they returned, Serena announced, “Ellie, there’s a big beach bonfire party on the island tonight. Let’s all go check it out.”

Eleanor nodded. “Okay.”

Dinner was a sumptuous seafood feast. Ian peeled several shrimp for Evelyn, two for Serena, and then placed three on Eleanor’s plate.

Eleanor said nothing, but she didn’t refuse them.

As he saw her take the first shrimp, lan caught the movement from the corner of his eye and couldn’t suppress a smile.

At seven in the evening, the bonfire party was in full swing. Tourists from all over the island were flocking

to the area, drawn by the rumor that an A-list singer was performing.

Gavin, Lanny, and their associate were also on duty. Their mission tonight was to protect lan’s group of four.

Evelyn skipped ahead, happily holding Serena’s and Eleanor’s hands, with lan following at a leisurely pace behind them.

“It’s so lively,” Serena commented.

The atmosphere was perfect for couples, with the strong beat of the music and the cheering crowd creating a palpable sense of excitement.

They didn’t get too close, watching the massive bonfire from a distance. Gavin went to get some drinks.

Here, there was no need for cups.

With Lanny and the other bodyguard crowd, lan

blending into the crowd lan and

Gavin drank straight from their bottles.

Eleanor and Serena held bottles of

Serena

juice. Eleanor glanced back at lan.

vel

He seemed extremely relaxed, a smile in his eyes, free from the calculation and gravity of the

business world. His eyes seemed to

reflect the scattered starlight.

Under a sky full of stars, enjoying a beach party was indeed a perfect way to forget

one’s troubles.