Once the Ellington family representatives had left, Eleanor finally led Evelyn over. lan crouched down and took his daughter's hand. "Come with Daddy to pay our respects to Great-Grandma."

Evelyn walked with him, and Eleanor stayed close by, watching as lan guided their daughter to place a white rose before the portrait and bow her head in deep respect.

Eleanor followed suit, bowing silently to bid Magdalen farewell. Afterward, lan turned to her. "I'd like Evelyn to stay by my side," he requested quietly.

Eleanor nodded. Her daughter belonged up there with him; she was a Goodwin. "I'll wait outside, then," Eleanor said.

lan opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately held it back.

Eleanor was no longer his wife; she was here today simply as a guest paying her respects.

After Eleanor walked away, Evelyn held her father's hand and stood beside him to thank the guests. The attendees couldn't help but let their gazes linger on the little girl.

Their eyes held curiosity, calculation, and quiet awe for this child born with a silver spoon in her mouth, destined for a monumental future.

lan's underlying message in having her stand there was impossible to miss. It was a silent declaration that his daughter was, for now, his sole and most important heir.

Despite her young age, Evelyn stood with a solemn maturity beside her father.

Unfazed by the heavy stares, she kept her posture perfectly straight, mirroring lan as she bowed and thanked the departing guests.

Outside the main hall, a rest area had been set up with chairs and light refreshments. As Eleanor stepped into the space, a sharp pair of eyes immediately

locked onto her. It was Miranda Wallace, Shaun Wallace's wife.

This was Miranda's first time seeing Eleanor in person, and she was secretly stunned. Dressed in a simple, elegant black gown, Eleanor fooked incredibly graceful and intelligent. It was no wonderdan was stiff so hung up on his ex-wife even three years after their divorce.

Miranda had always assumed scientists were plain, unbothered women who didn't care about their appearance, but Eleanor completely shattered that stereotype. With her luminous

features, she

n and stunning

é looked like a movie

star. The somber melancholy in her

eyes only made her look more

devastatingly beautiful.

Miranda suddenly understood why lan had immediately transferred her niece out of

his office after only a week at Goodwin & Co. It was clearly a move to prove his

loyalty and win this ex-wife back!

Miranda scoffed internally.

Remembering how Eleanor had publicly humiliated her husband during the board meeting, Miranda realized that if Eleanor actually returned as Mrs. Goodwin, it would only be a matter of tinge before Shaun was kicked off the board

entirely. A fierce sense of threat surged through her.

Why not use this perfect opportunity to stir the pot? Seeing Eleanor approach and take a seat just two rows ahead, Miranda turned her head for a closer look.

Jealousy flared hot in her chest. Eleanor had a rich, classic beauty that was nothing short of breathtaking, and she had to be at least twenty-eight or twenty-nine by now.

Sitting next to Miranda was another wealthy socialite scrolling through her phone. Miranda nudged her, purposely raising her voice. "Hey, did you come to the Goodwin funeral last time?"

"Last time?" the woman asked, confused.

"You know, for Magdalen's son. Must be nearly ten years ago now."

The woman shook her head. "No, I didn't know the Goodwins back then."

"Ah! Well, the Goodwin family is exceptional in every way, except for their bloodline. They have so few heirs. And now, there's just one lonely little sprout left, and it's a girl."

Miranda's voice carried perfectly, landing straight in Eleanor's ears. Eleanor's gaze immediately shifted toward her.