Serena really wanted to go back to calling her sis, but she was worried it would upset Eleanor, so she didn't dare.

Serena knelt down and gently explained to Evelyn, "Even though your mom and my brother are separated now, she's still very dear to me in my heart, so calling her Ellie is just the same."

Evelyn nodded, seeming to understand. "Oh, I see!"

Eleanor gave Serena a grateful look. Over the past six months, Serena had truly changed. She was no longer the spoiled, willful young lady she once was, but had learned to be considerate and respectful.

Just then, Evelyn remembered something and pulled Eleanor's hand. "Mommy, come and see! Auntie gave me a guitar, and she's going to teach me how to play."

Eleanor was surprised; she hadn't known Serena could play an instrument.

Serena followed them into the study, where a delicate, small classical guitar sat, clearly custom-made for a child.

"I also studied music abroad, so teaching a child to play the guitar is no problem," Serena explained, a little embarrassed. "Evelyn is interested in music, so besides the piano, she can explore other instruments."

"Auntie, did the cut on your finger from last time leave a scar?" Evelyn asked, turning to Serena.

Eleanor looked over in surprise as well. Serena smiled. "It did, but it's not very noticeable now. But I'm sure it must have scared you that day!"

Evelyn, who still remembered, nodded. "Yeah, you were bleeding so much! It was really scary."

Noticing Eleanor's gaze, Serena explained, "It was three years ago, the first time I came back to the country and tried to teach Evelyn guitar. The string accidentally cut a deep gash in my finger, and Evelyn was terrified."

Remembering something, Serena gently pulled Evelyn closer. "Here, let Auntie see your teeth. I was always taking you out for cake back then, I wonder if you got any cavities."

Evelyn obediently opened her mouth for Serena to check. After the inspection, Evelyn tilted her head and said, "Daddy always makes sure I brush my teeth, so I won't get any cavities!"

Watching this scene, a memory was suddenly triggered for Eleanor. She recalled a time three years ago when lan was on the phone with someone.

The person on the other end had

injured their finger, and he was telling them to apply ointment. At the time

tellingeanor had assumed he

was talking to Vanessa. Could the person on the phone that night have been Serena?

Serena's concern for her daughter was clearly genuine; after all, they were blood relatives.

At half-past eight, Eleanor walked Serena to the door and thanked her. "Thank you for looking after Evelyn for me."

"Ellie, Evelyn is my niece. Who else would I dote on if not her?" Serena said, then added with a touch of guilt, "I've done so many wrong things in the past, and now I just want to make up for it however I can."

For Serena, these small, everyday

acts were a form of redemption for her past self. Eleanor had saved both her and her mother, and although she hadn't asked for word of thanks, they knew and would remember the debt they owed.

"My brother is leaving for the Sun Valley conference next Monday. I'll pick up and drop off Evelyn for him, so you can focus on your work without worry," Serena said.

Eleanor nodded. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it." Serena waved goodbye and left.

Eleanor's weekend was also booked.

At 3:30 on Sunday afternoon, inside the sterile laboratory, Ryan had already administered an anesthetic to a research monkey. The calculated dose was just enough to allow them to collect experimental data without harming the subject.