The next day at noon, Eleanor was having lunch at home when she received a call from her daughter. Ian had taken her to the private pool at the Vesper Joy Hotel, and she wanted Eleanor to come join them.

Listening to her daughter's sweet coaxing on the other end, Eleanor couldn't help but smile. "Okay, Mommy's on her way."

Eleanor left home and headed straight for the Vesper Joy Hotel. The private pool was located on the same floor as the presidential suite.

She took the elevator directly from the underground parking garage to the pool level.

When she arrived, she saw her daughter playing in a floatie with Serena keeping an eye on her. Eleanor was wondering where lan was when a powerful figure broke through the surface at the other end of the pool, sending water splashing.

lan shook his wet hair, and the droplets that fell from it traced the sharp angles of his face, running down his broad shoulders and over his strong, muscular chest before disappearing back into the water.

"Daddy, I'm coming!" Evelyn Goodwin called out happily, slipping out of her floatie. She swam toward her father like a little fish.

Evelyn, eager to show off for her mother, swam with all her might.

Serena took the opportunity to invite Eleanor in. "Ellie, want to come for a swim?"

Eleanor smiled and shook her head. "No thanks, I'll just watch you guys."

Serena's expression suddenly turned apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Ellie."

She was repenting for the incident where Eleanor had fallen into the pool. That time, Eleanor had nearly sunk, and who knows what would have happened if Xavier Vaughn hadn't saved her in time.

"It's fine, go have fun," Eleanor said to Serena before walking over to her daughter.

Evelyn finally reached her father, her small hands clinging to his shoulders as her wet little head popped out of the water.

"Mommy, was I great?" Evelyn asked.

Eleanor gave her daughter a thumbs-up. "Absolutely amazing."

lan slicked his hair back, water dripping from his lashes and making his gaze seem even more intense and piercing.

At that moment, the afternoon sun streamed through the glass ceiling, casting shimmering patterns on the water where the father and daughter were playing happily.

Eleanor sat down on a nearby chair, her eyes on her daughter. After a little while, Evelyn swam over to Serena lah swam toward Eleanor, resting his muscular arms on the edge of the pout "I heard back about the houses. We can schedule some viewings for tomorrow."

Eleanor nodded. "Okay, I'll go with you tomorrow."

The summer break was already half over. It was indeed time to find a place and get settled.

"Want to come in? I can teach you how to swim," Ian invited in his low voice.

Eleanor shook her head, gently refusing. "No, thank you."

lan didn't push it. "Alright. I'll swim with Evelyn a bit more. You can rest over there."

Eleanor nodded and looked toward her daughter. Serena was holding onto her as she kicked her little legs, splashing water everywhere. Her giggles filled the air and seeing her so happy, Eleanor couldn't help buť smile.

After another twenty minutes of swimming, Evelyn's energy was spent Serena helped her out of the pool, and Eleanor wrapped a towel around her daughter. Just then, lan got out as well.

Serena gave a sly smile, picked up Evelyn, and said, "Evelyn, let's go to the room and get you showered. Come on!"

Evelyn was happily whisked away by Serena.

Eleanor knew Serena was deliberately leaving her and lan alone.

She turned to look at the man walking toward her, then quickly averted her gaze.

lan grabbed a towel and casually dried his hair and body as he strolled over.