Gavin quickly refocused. Judging by Eleanor and Xavier's interaction, it seemed Eleanor was treating him to dinner, and given her relationship with Mr. Goodwin...

Gavin decided he had overstepped. He cleared his throat and concentrated on his report. In his hands were the details of a major acquisition Goodwin & Co. was working on, and he began to present the information with clarity.

He was focused on the data and didn't notice that his boss's attention wasn't on the figures he was pointing to. Instead, lan's dark gaze was fixed on the corridor leading to the private rooms, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his cup.

"—so, their current asking price is still on the high side. The project department's assessment is that there's still about a ten percent margin for negotiation," Gavin concluded, waiting for his boss's directive.

When several seconds passed in silence, he looked up and saw lan's distracted expression. He paused and ventured, "Mr. Goodwin?"

lan snapped back to the present, his mind clearly not as far away as it seemed. His gaze sharpened. "What's the basis for that ten percent?"

Gavin immediately launched into the reasoning, keeping a careful eye on lan's reactions this time. When he finished, lan tapped a finger on the table. "Have the project department run a market analysis of comparable acquisitions. Use that data to renegotiate their premium."

"Understood." Gavin gathered the documents. It seemed that while Miss Sutton and Mr. Vaughn's dinner had distracted his boss, it hadn't impaired his business judgment.

After years of working with lan, Gavin's admiration for him had only grown. Ian's empire was expanding, venturing into new sectors like the pharmaceutical industry and laboratory investments with great success.

Meanwhile, in the private room, Eleanor and Xavier had ordered and were discussing Vivian's situation.

Xavier spoke openly about it. He had no shortage of international lawyers, so Eleanor mostly listened as he outlined his advantages in the case.

"So, we have at least a sixty percent chance of winning," Xavier concluded. As an uncle, he had more than fulfilled his duties. He refused to entrust his niece's future to people he didn't trust. It was a

testament tense of

responsibility. After the tragedy with his sister, his strength in taking on the care of his niece was truly moving.

"I'm sure you'll win custody of Vivian," Eleanor said sincerely.

Her words made Xavier's heart stir. From behind b

his cup, his

with a warm smile Th

you.

support gives me more confidence."

Just then, their food began to arrive, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics like their children's hobbies, Eleanor's dog Princess, and Xavier's cat.

As they talked, Eleanor's phone buzzed with a text. She glanced at it. It was from

lan.

*Is Evelyn playing at Xavier's?* he asked.

Eleanor frowned. He was her father and had a right to know. She quickly replied, *Yes. I'll pick her up later.*

lan didn't message back.

Xavier looked over. "Was that lan?"

"Yes. Let's just eat." A new dish arrived just then, and she gestured toward it. "This beef hot pot looks delicious. You should try it."

Instead, Xavier picked up the serving chopsticks and placed a few slices of beef in her bowl. "Here."

Eleanor smiled. "Thank you, but I can get it myself. Please, eat."