Eleanor greeted him with a warm smile. "I heard you were out of the country on business. When did you get back?"

"How did you know I was abroad?" Xavier asked, surprised.

She chuckled. "I ran into your housekeeper at the school last time. She mentioned it."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Xavier's eyes. For a moment, he'd thought Eleanor had gone out of her way to find out about his whereabouts.

“Yeah, I just got back two days ago,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Had to take care of some company issues. Almost wrapped up now."

Eleanor glanced him over, noticing how relaxed he seemed. Clearly, he'd come out on top in his family's internal power struggle.

Just then, a sudden commotion drew everyone's attention to the entrance of the ballroom.

Eleanor instinctively turned to look. Ian had just arrived, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, walking in with an older gentleman as they chatted quietly.

But the instant lan spotted Eleanor standing with Xavier, the smile on his face froze for a split second, and something dark flickered in his gaze.

He said a few words to the elder, then strode toward them.

"lan, good to see you," Xavier called out first.

lan greeted him with ease. "Xavier, did everything get sorted out back home?"

"It's all handled," Xavier nodded.

Then lan's eyes settled on Eleanor. "You look beautiful tonight."

The words echoed Xavier's earlier compliment, but coming from lan, they made Eleanor's expression turn cold. She ignored him.

At that moment, Mr. Brown, the host, came over to welcome them. "Ian, Xavier, Eleanor-thank you for coming!" he said warmly. "The ceremony's about to begin. Please, take your seats."

Eleanor hesitated. Mr. Brown always addressed the younger generation by their first names, but the fact that he remembered her last name was a subtle acknowledgment of her unusual status.

As Eleanor made her way toward the seating area, lan and Xavier flanked her on either side a trio that drew more than a few curious glances from the other guests.

Some people recognized Eleanor, others didn't, but regardless, it was obvious that any woman escorted by both the CEO of Goodwin Industries and the president of Vaughn Group had to be someone exceptional.

Eleanor took her seat, and Xavier casually sat down beside her. Just then, an attentive manager hurried over. "Mr. Vaughn, your seat and Mr. Goodwin's are up at the front. Please, let me show you."

Xavier smiled. "I'd like to sit with my friend, if that's all right."

The manager paused, glanced at Eleanor, and immediately understood. He turned to lan, gesturing politely. "Mr. Goodwin, your seat is over this way."

lan glanced once at Eleanor and Xavier, nodded, and walked off to take his place.

The ballroom was filled to capacity. As the lights dimmed, the wedding was about to begin.

Eleanor felt unusually cheerful tonight. Soon, the appointed hour arrived, and on stage, the groom stood waiting in a sharp white suit.

Eleanor was surprised to see Henry Holt standing beside him, grinning happily as the best man.

Xavier also smiled, clearly already in on the secret.

As the wedding march began, all eyes turned to the couple.

The doors at the back of the hall opened slowly.

The bride entered, arm in arm with her father, followed by four bridesmaids.

Eleanor's gaze lingered on one of them-Vanessa, graceful in a champagne- colored dress, bouquet in hand, gliding elegantly down the aisle.