Chapter 32
“You guys really don’t know?” Henry glanced around at the group of friends, surprised. Ian had been married for six years-how was it possible that none of them knew?
Everyone shook their heads. The man who’d spoken earlier looked almost envious. “Still, that Vanessa is a real knockout. I’ve seen plenty of beautiful women, but she’s in a whole different league p>
“She’s a prodigy on the piano, too-there’s an artistry about her you just don’t see in ordinary beauties. I remember passing one of her billboards, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away for ages p>
Henry chuckled. “Let’s keep the rumors to a minimum, all right? lan’s married. His daughter’s already five p>
“Well, he sure kept it under wraps. There’s never been any mention in the press. But, honestly, with his kind of money, it’s not unusual for a man to have a few close female friends on the side. You know what they say-variety is the spice of life p>
Laughing, Henry waved his friend off before the gossip could go any further. “Enough about lan. His wife’s a real beauty herself, so let’s move on. How about we top up the drinks p>
By the windows in the main hall, Eleanor and Joel had already started eating. The two of them chatted about medical theory, and Joel seemed genuinely impressed by her insights.
“Your father was an incredible man. I only worked with him for two years, but I admired him so much p>
Eleanor smiled. “He was, except for being a bit stubborn-and his temper could get the best of him p>
Joel laughed. “You’re telling me! The year he taught at our college, a couple of student groups actually staged a protest against him p>
Eleanor laughed too, but there was a shimmer of tears in her eyes. Noticing, Joel’s heart sank. “I’m sorry, Ellie-I shouldn’t have brought up something painful p>
She brushed at her eyes. “It’s okay p>
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was lan calling. Eleanor stood up. “I’ll take this outside p>
She stepped into the corridor before answering. “Hello p>
“Mom!” The voice was not lan’s, but her daughter’s.
“Evelyn? Sweetheart, is that you p>
“Mom, are you coming to Grandma’s for dinner tonight? Great-grandma and I both miss you p>
“Of course! I’ll come over for dinner tonight p>
“Great-grandma, Mom’s coming for dinner!” Evelyn was clearly relaying the news to someone nearby.
“Okay! Try to come early, honey. I’ll be waiting,” Eleanor replied, smiling.
“I will, I promise,” she added warmly. After hanging up, Evelyn dashed back into
the living room and handed the phone to her father. “Dad, Mom says she’ll come to Grandma’s later p>
“Alright,” lan replied with a gentle smile.
“Young Master, Mrs. Graham would like to see you for a moment,” a housekeeper came over and said.
lan slipped his phone into his pocket and made his way to the conservatory, where his grandmother was trimming the flowers. She looked up as he entered. “Is Vanessa still here p>
lan caught her meaning and nodded. “She’s in Serena’s room, chatting p>
“See that she leaves before three. Ellie’s coming for dinner tonight—it wouldn’t be appropriate for Vanessa to stay,” his grandmother instructed.
“Understood,” Ian replied.
Meanwhile, in Serena’s room, she had just confided a long-hidden secret to Vanessa.