Chapter 185

Eleanor let Joel know she was taking a cab home. Not long after, she received a friend request on her phone-it was Byron, VP of Meridian Dynamics. He messaged her, expressing his hope that they could communicate directly about research directions from now on.

Eleanor responded politely, exchanging a few brief messages with him.

Around four in the afternoon, she found herself wandering to her daughter’s school, pausing beneath a canopy of cherry trees while scrolling through her phone. Across the street, a silver Bentley glided into the parking lot and came to a stop. Xavier, sitting in the driver’s seat, reached for the door handle but froze when he spotted Eleanor.

He didn’t get out. Instead, he sat back, watching her through the window. There was a quiet elegance in the way he observed her, more like an artist admiring a muse than a voyeur-his gaze clear, intent, and unclouded by any ulterior motive.

A sudden breeze sent Eleanor’s long hair flying across her face. She gathered it with a graceful sweep of her hand, her lively, fresh features momentarily touched by a playful innocence.

Unlike the commanding presence she’d shown on the stage at her last lecture, in these quiet moments, there was a kind of untouched beauty about her-gentle, unguarded, and yet somehow impossible to fully understand. It was the sort of allure that made people want to get closer.

Just then, a petal drifted down and landed on Eleanor’s hand. She blinked in surprise, finally realizing she’d been standing under the blossoming trees all along. A smile curved her lips.

Watching from the car, Xavier found himself smiling too, the expression unbidden and catching him off guard. The next thing he knew, an irresistible urge had him pushing open the door and crossing the street toward her.

Eleanor didn’t notice him at first. When she sensed someone approaching, she quickly stepped aside, thinking she was blocking the path. A low chuckle sounded behind her. “Did I startle you p>

She turned, only to see Xavier. She gave a soft laugh. “Not at all p>

Just then, a well-dressed mother approached with a friendly smile. “You’re

Evelyn’s mom, right?” Without waiting for a response, her gaze shifted to Xavier, her eyes lighting up. “And you must be Vivian’s uncle p>

“That’s right,” Xavier replied with a polite nod.

Eleanor smiled and nodded too.

“Nice to meet you both. I’m Coco Brown’s mother.” Even as she introduced herself, her eyes lingered on Xavier with barely concealed admiration.

Eleanor instantly picked up on the woman’s interest, though Xavier’s expression remained unchanged. At that moment, the school doors opened and parents began filing in to collect their children.

Eleanor and Xavier walked in together, Mrs. Brown practically glued to Xavier’s side. As they entered the hallway, another parent accidentally bumped into Mrs. Brown. She seized the opportunity to hook her arm through Xavier’s. “Oh my goodness, some people just don’t look where they’re going!” She flashed Xavier an apologetic smile. “I hope I didn’t bump into you p>

Xavier glanced down at her hand still clutching his arm, his brow furrowing. “Would you mind letting go p>

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean—” Mrs. Brown withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Xavier looked up, but by then Eleanor had already disappeared into the classroom.

A few moments later, Eleanor emerged, holding hands with two little girls. Xavier walked over with a warm smile, while Mrs. Brown watched with barely concealed envy.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept through, and the sky darkened as rain threatened.

Eleanor and her daughter had barely walked a hundred yards when Xavier’s car pulled up beside them. He rolled down the window. “Hop in-it’s about to pour p>

“Thank you,” Eleanor said gratefully, ushering the girls into the back seat.

The two girls hugged each other with delight. Evelyn piped up, “Vivian, have you been to my new house? Do you want to come over and play p>

“I’d love to!” Vivian turned to Xavier, pleading, “Uncle, can I go to Ms. Sutton’s house p>

Xavier caught Eleanor’s eye in the rearview mirror. She smiled, clearly happy with the idea. “Vivian’s welcome at our place. You can pick her up after dinner p>

“Sounds great.” Xavier replied, his smile genuine.