Chapter 233
“Mom, will you come with us too?” Evelyn looked up hopefully, wanting both her mom and dad by her side.
“I can’t, sweetheart. I have to get some work done,” Eleanor replied gently.
Evelyn didn’t argue. Once breakfast was over, lan took her by the hand and headed out.
It wasn’t until around nine o’clock that lan finally returned, carrying Evelyn in his arms. She was clutching the present Xavier had bought for her.
“Daddy, can’t you stay with us tonight?” Evelyn’s eyes turned red as she asked, her voice trembling.
lan crouched down, wiping away her tears with infinite patience. “Daddy has to finish some work, pumpkin. I need to earn money to buy you more gifts p>
“Okay,” Evelyn sniffled, nodding her little head.
“Why don’t you go play with your new toy?” Eleanor suggested. Then, glancing at lan, she added, “Come outside. I need a word p>
lan followed her out into the yard. Eleanor’s expression was serious. “I’ll find the right time to tell Evelyn about our divorce. You can’t keep lying to her p>
lan’s jaw tightened. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s too young. News like this could really hurt her p>
“She has to find out eventually,” Eleanor replied, her voice steely.
lan looked at her, his gaze intense. “Eleanor, neither of us wants to see Evelyn hurt p>
“If and when it’s necessary, I’ll be the one to tell her.” With that, Eleanor turned and walked back inside.
The weekend arrived.
Eleanor took Joslyn and Evelyn to meet Joy at the Vespera Grand, where they moved into the penthouse suite on the top floor-a sprawling, 7,000-square-foot apartment that Eleanor had decided would be her private residence from now on. It wouldn’t be open to guests.
The place was so luxurious that Joy couldn’t help but start calling Eleanor “Miss Moneybags p>
There was a play area set up for Evelyn, and Joslyn watched over her while Eleanor and Joy enjoyed a spa session with two therapists Eleanor had called in. The suite also had a sauna and a private gym.
After a blissful weekend, Monday arrived.
Eleanor dropped Evelyn off at school before heading to the Vespera Grand’s conference room for the weekly morning meeting. She listened to Ellington’s project update, with Frazier, Joy, and eight senior managers in attendance.
Though Eleanor wasn’t exactly an expert in finance, she was learning the ropes of running a company, picking up new skills every day.
After wrapping up the meeting at noon, she treated everyone to lunch, then
hurried across town to Meridian Dynamics for another meeting.
As soon as she stepped into the boardroom, she saw lan already there.
Meridian Dynamics was one of his companies, and as the majority owner, it was only natural he’d want to sit in on the meeting.
“Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin will be joining us today to hear our progress. I’d like you to present the update,” Byron said.
“You can handle it,” Eleanor replied, making no effort to hide her reluctance.
“I really need to step out for something urgent. Please, Miss Sutton, I’m counting on you,” Byron insisted, looking genuinely desperate.
Eleanor had no choice but to agree. When it came to work, she never backed down-even if it meant speaking in front of lan.
She knew she had to get used to this, to face the fact that as long as he was Evelyn’s father, their paths would always be entwined.
Inside the dimly lit boardroom, lan sat at the head of the table. Eleanor turned on the projector and began her presentation, her clear voice carrying across the quiet room.
The glow from the screen caught the edges of her silhouette, giving her an almost ethereal presence.
lan watched her intently, his long fingers resting against his jaw, his eyes unreadable. Whether he was focused on her report or lost in other thoughts, it was hard to say.
After an hour, Eleanor wrapped up the presentation, gathering her notes. “That concludes my report. I’ll take my leave now p>