"I really wanted to hand you my bouquet just now, but when I looked over, you weren't at your seat! Where did you run off to?"

"I just stepped outside to take a call."

"That's such a shame! I was hoping to give you the bouquet right in front of lan!"

Eleanor laughed and shook her head. "Let's save it for another girl who actually wants to get married!"

That night, Eleanor and her daughter stayed at the hotel, not heading home until Sunday afternoon.

Later that evening, Simone Langley called, reminding her to head to Kingston well in advance. This award was a big deal—national level, formal, and absolutely not the kind of event to be late for.

Eleanor had already taken leave from Byron, deciding instead to bring her daughter to Kingston a day early and spend the night there. Joslyn would join them, so that while Eleanor was at the ceremony and visiting Mansfield, Joslyn could keep an eye on her daughter at the hotel.

Early the next morning, Ellington sent a driver to take them to the airport. He'd also arranged for someone in Kingston to meet them on arrival, making sure Eleanor's trip would go off without a hitch.

At the airport, as Eleanor held her daughter's hand and waited to board, Evelyn's big blue eyes darted around curiously. Suddenly, she gasped and shouted in disbelief, "Daddy! It's Daddy!"

Before Eleanor could react, Evelyn had wriggled free and was already racing toward lan and Gavin.

Eleanor froze, quickly stepping out of line to look at lan, who'd appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Her expression soured a little.

Why is he everywhere I go?

Joslyn brightened at the sight. If lan was here, did that mean he was also flying to Kingston?

"Daddy, are you taking the same plane as us?" Evelyn asked eagerly.

"That's right. I have a business trip in Kingston too, so we'll travel together," lan replied, his deep voice warm. He scooped up Evelyn and walked over to Eleanor.

"Miss Sutton," Gavin greeted politely.

Eleanor nodded in acknowledgment. The boarding line had cleared, so she handed over Evelyn's ticket at the gate, with Joslyn following close behind.

Their first-class seats were together-Eleanor had purchased three-and as it turned out, lan and Gavin were also in first class. Evelyn couldn't have been happier.

Two hours later, their plane touched down safely at Kingston International Airport. A driver met Eleanor, Joslyn, and Evelyn, ushering them to their car.

"Daddy!" Evelyn said wistfully as she had to leave lan behind.

"Be good. I'll come find you soon, sweetheart," lan reassured her.

Evelyn finally climbed into the car. Eleanor, already settled in the backseat, barely registered lan's promise. She knew it was just one of his tricks to placate their daughter.

But as she was checking in at the hotel, she suddenly spotted lan and Gavin walking in behind her.

Eleanor couldn't help but roll her eyes. Did he have to stay at this hotel too?

As if reading her thoughts, lan explained, "I'm here for the awards ceremony as well."

"Mr. Goodwin was selected as Entrepreneur of the Year," Gavin added with a smile.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, obviously skeptical.

lan's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "In the field of tech innovation-same event as yours."

Eleanor considered it. It did seem possible, so she decided not to dwell on his reasons for being there.

"Mom, Dad's staying at our hotel too!" Evelyn clapped her hands in delight, then asked hopefully, "Can you and Daddy share a room?"

After all, whenever the three of them traveled together before, they'd always stayed in the most luxurious presidential suite.

"I've already sorted out our rooms. Let's go," Eleanor said, sidestepping her daughter's question as she took Evelyn's hand and led her and Joslyn toward the elevators.

They'd barely been in the hotel for half an hour before Evelyn began begging to see lan again. Eleanor gave in and asked Joslyn to take her over.

The whirlwind of the first day left Eleanor feeling worn out. She decided she'd wait until the very last day to visit Mansfield.