Eleanor nodded. "I'll make time."

"Wonderful. We'll coordinate the details later then. I should be heading back," Simone said. "I have a class this afternoon."

Just as Eleanor watched Simone walk away, a voice called out from behind her. "Eleanor."

She turned in surprise. Xavier Vaughn stood there in a sharp black suit, accompanied by Henry Holt, who was dressed equally formally.

"It's been a while, Eleanor," Henry greeted her politely.

"Xavier, Henry. It really has been," she replied.

Henry clapped Xavier on the shoulder. "I'll let you talk to Eleanor about your mother's situation. I'll catch up with you later."

Xavier looked back at Eleanor. "Are you busy? Do you have a minute to chat?"

Eleanor nodded, and they sat down nearby. Xavier brought her up to speed on his mother's condition, his brow furrowed with deep worry. His father had passed, and his sister was serving a lengthy prison sentence. Aside from his daughter, Vivian, his mother was the only family he had left. He desperately needed her to recover.

"The doctors have put together a new treatment plan. We start next week," Xavier said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "But whether it'll actually work... it's hard to say."

Eleanor looked at him sympathetically. "My research still needs a few key data points to be fully validated, but I'm doing everything I can to accelerate the breakthrough. I hope it brings your mother some real hope soon."

"It will. I trust you," Xavier said, looking up, his dark eyes filled with absolute faith. He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to something more inquisitive. "What about you? Are you and lan... doing okay?"

Eleanor lowered her eyes, taking a sip of her tea without answering immediately.

Xavier easily guessed the truth. His tone grew more serious. "Eleanor, lan and I grew up together. I know exactly who he is. Once he sets his mind on something, he doesn't change it. And when it comes to you-he is entirely committed."

"Thank you, Xavier," Eleanor said sincerely. She decided to change the subject, offering him some friendly concern in return. "What about you? When are you going to find someone to help you raise Vivian?"

"I'll think about that when my mother is better. It's the furthest thing from my mind right now." Xavier sounded just like an old friend.

Xavier checked his watch. "I should get going. I have a meeting this afternoon. Take care of yourself."

"You too."

After seeing Xavier off, Eleanor saw lan leading Evelyn out of the main hall. His eyes locked onto her instantly, and he brought their daughter over.

"Are you tired? Do you want to go rest in the car for a bit?" lan asked, his voice low and attentive.

"No, I'm fine," Eleanor replied. "Go back to your guests. I'll take care of Evelyn."

lan was indeed overwhelmed with duties. He turned and headed back into the hall, where the somber notes of the eulogy echoed through the air, carrying the heavy weight of mourning deep into the afternoon.

The sky gradually darkened, heavy gray clouds sinking lower and lower, promising an impending storm.

The burial was scheduled for three o'clock. The remaining guests gathered and began the procession toward the Goodwin family's chosen cemetery plot on the hillside. As the eldest grandson tan walked at the front, carefully holding Magdalen's portrait. Gina and Serena followed closely behind, with Eleanor and Evelyn trailing them.

When they finally reached the gravesite, the officiant led a dignified and concise ceremony. As the flower-draped casket was slowly lowered into the earth, muffled sobs broke out among the crowd.

lan stood at the very front, holding his daughter's hand. Feeling the overwhelming sadness in the air, Evelyn finally broke down into tears. Ian crouched down, pulling her into his arms and murmuring soothingly in her ear.

Eleanor stood quietly to the side, watching the father and daughter, her heart heavy with a suffocating wave of despair.

She could feel the weight of

countless eyes on Evelyn-gazes filled with both scrutiny and pity. It was glaringly obvious that in these elite cncles the obsession With lineage and bloodlines ran incredibly deep, especially when it came to a male heir.

Dirt hit the casket, shovel by shovel. Gina and Serena wept loudly. Just then, a cold, oppressive rain began to fall. No one opened an umbrella. The rain only deepened

the tragic, suffocating atmosphere of the cemetery.

Once the ceremony concluded, the

guests offered their final

condolences to the family and slowly made their way down the hill. The gravesite gradually emptied. Gavin brought over an umbrella for Eleanor. Evelyn huddled underneath it, but lan remained standing stubbornly in the pouring rain, letting the cold drops soak through his suit. The wind tore at his hair, and it was impossible to tell if it was rain or tears sliding down his rigid jawline.

Serena turned to Eleanor. "Eleanor, my brother wants to stay a little longer. We're going to take Evelyn back down first."

Eleanor nodded. "Alright."

Once Gina and Serena led Evelyn away, Eleanor walked over and held the umbrella over lan, shielding him from the storm. She reached into her pocket and offered him

a handkerchief she had brought for herself.

lan didn't take it. "Thank you," he whispered.

He was grateful she was willing to stay with him when he needed it most.