Chapter 695

Early the next morning, Eleanor got in touch with Tanya. The academic

conference was about to begin, but the summit had wrapped up yesterday, so Tanya was preparing to head home.

After the events of last night, Eleanor decided to spend a few days with her daughter, just the two of them.

At breakfast, Eleanor told Evelyn that Vivian would be joining them soon. Evelyn’s eyes lit up instantly. “Really? Is Vivian really coming p>

“Yes, she’s probably on her way now,” Eleanor replied with a smile.

A little later, lan knocked and stepped inside. Evelyn rushed over and hugged his leg, bubbling with excitement. “Dad, Vivian and Mr. Vaughn are coming to Drexford today p>

lan glanced at Eleanor, then smiled warmly at his daughter. “That’s right. I spoke to Mr. Vaughn-he’ll be here this afternoon. We can meet them at the new hotel p>

“Can we all go skiing together?” Evelyn asked, practically bouncing.

“Of course,” lan said, crouching to her level. “We’ll switch to a hotel closer to the slopes right now p>

Eleanor frowned slightly. It was clear lan had already been in touch with Xavier and arranged their plans.

lan adjusted his shirt cuffs, looking unbothered. “I messaged him this morning. He’ll bring Vivian and meet us there p>

He glanced up, and for a split second, there was a calculating glint in his eyes.

Eleanor held back her questions, while Evelyn could barely contain her excitement about seeing her friend.

Eleanor left Evelyn to play in lan’s room and went back to her own to organize her notes from the summit. She sent them off to Joel and York.

By eleven, lan and Eleanor had checked out, and as Eleanor was packing her suitcase, a message from Xavier popped up: “We’re almost there. Let’s meet at the hotel near the ski resort p>

“Perfect!” Eleanor replied.

After lunch, they set out for the ski resort. The drive took two hours, but soon enough, they arrived.

The hotel sat at the foot of the largest ski mountain-a picturesque cluster of wooden chalets straight out of a storybook. At check-in, lan booked a three- bedroom family chalet.

Eleanor immediately frowned and asked the front desk if there were any other rooms available.

“I’m so sorry, madam, but this is the last family chalet we have,” the receptionist apologized.

Eleanor understood. The parking lot was overflowing with cars-it was peak season for skiing.

And of course, Xavier must have reserved his room online already.

Eleanor debated whether to switch hotels, but Evelyn was thrilled, clapping her hands in delight. “This is great! We finally get to stay together p>

lan’s gaze lingered on Eleanor’s face. “Rooms are hard to come by right now. Let’s just make do-it’ll be easier to keep an eye on Evelyn, anyway p>

Eleanor glanced up at the availability screen behind the desk. Sure enough, not a single vacancy. She could only hope someone would check out later in the afternoon; maybe then she could book a separate room.

Noticing the tense set of Eleanor’s brow, lan leaned closer and said quietly, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything inappropriate p>

His voice was low and sincere, as if to reassure her that the man who’d nearly lost control last night was a different person entirely.

Eleanor turned away to speak with the receptionist, asking her to let her know if any rooms became available. The receptionist nodded and took down Eleanor’s number.

Meanwhile, lan-his back to the desk-was busy fixing Evelyn’s coat, his mood impossible to read.

Just then, the front doors swung open and Xavier strode in, travel-worn in a gray overcoat, holding Vivian’s hand.

“Vivian!” Evelyn spotted her at once, and the two girls shrieked with excitement, running into each other’s arms.

“Eleanor. Ian,” Xavier greeted them with a smile.

“Did you get your room sorted?” lan asked.

“Yes, I booked online,” Xavier replied.

“We got the last family chalet,” Ilan added, sounding almost casual.

Xavier’s brow twitched slightly. “Really? I booked a family chalet as well p>

Eleanor noticed Xavier’s assistant Cain and the children’s nanny waiting just outside.

“Let’s get checked in, then,” lan suggested, taking Evelyn’s hand. He turned to Eleanor, “We’ll go drop our bags at the chalet p>

“lan, we’re in Chalet Seven. Which one are you in p>

lan paused for a barely noticeable moment. “We’re next door, Chalet Eight p>

“Perfect,” Xavier said with a lift of his brow. “That way, the kids can go back and forth whenever they want p>

Eleanor saw through it all-this was exactly how lan had planned it.