Chapter 1533

"Okay," Eleanor murmured softly.

For the entire drive, she kept her face turned toward the window, her emotions an unspeakable, tangled mess.

Thankfully, the school wasn't far. When they pulled into a parking spot, the area was already crowded with luxury SUVs and family cars waiting to pick up kids.

"Ellie," lan suddenly called out, using her affectionate nickname.

Her barely settled heart skipped another beat.

He looked at her earnestly. "Will you at least consider the partnership with Meridian Dynamics?"

He sounded almost like he was pleading.

He let out a soft sigh. "I won't force you. Just... don't completely shut me out anymore, okay? Whether it's as Evelyn's father or as your business partner."

Of course, if he could add one more title to that list, it would be even better.

Eleanor pressed her lips together, her rational mind finally returning. In the field of scientific research, if a better platform presented itself, one had to seize it. It was the kind of opportunity others could only dream of.

But she knew that whatever choice she made would inevitably be entangled with her personal feelings.

"Alright," she said, meeting his gaze with a nod. "I agree to partner with Meridian Dynamics. I'll head over tomorrow for the meeting."

lan looked as though a massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled. "Okay. Good."

Shortly after, as they walked over to pick up Evelyn, they bumped into a few familiar faces from the industry.

Though everyone knew the two were divorced, seeing them together with their daughter prompted knowing, meaningful smiles.

Evelyn was absolutely thrilled. "Daddy, Mommy! You both came to pick me up! I'm so happy!"

"From now on, whenever we have time, Mom and I will both come to get you," lan promised his daughter.

"Okay!" Evelyn skipped happily, wearing her little backpack and acting like a miniature adult.

Eleanor couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. She had recently been looking through old videos of her babbling toddler, and now seeing her grown into a proper little g, a profound sense of comfort washed over her.

Time really did slip away in the blink of an eye.

Back home, lan played soccer with Evelyn on the lawn while Princess ran excitedly

in circles. Eleanor sat on the patio sofa, occasionally glancing at her phone and instinctively snapping a few photos.

She was documenting every little moment of her daughter's growth, though she unconsciously captured that tall, striking figure in the frame as well.

At seven, Joslyn served a lavish dinner, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

By eight, Evelyn had homework to finish, so lan kept her company while she worked.

At nine-thirty, after her bath, Evelyn snuggled into her mother's warm embrace, reading a picture book before drifting off into a contented sleep.

Eleanor, however, found herself entirely unable to sleep. Closing her eyes, her mind helplessly replayed that kiss in the car. A strange, tingling heat bloomed from deep within her, bringing a furious blush to her cheeks.

She was only twenty-eight, after all. Though she had completely neglected this side

of her life over the past three years, it felt as if she had suddenly been awakened.

Feeling slightly frustrated with

herself, she sat up and walked out to the balcony to catch the cool breeze. Just then, her phone screen it up. with a notification. She always kept it on silent at night so as not to wake her daughter.

She unlocked it and saw it was a detailed quote from Callie. She paused for a second.

She had actually thought it was...

Eleanor shook off the ridiculous assumption and focused on reviewing the document.

Right at that moment, another message popped up. lan's text slid across the top of her screen: "Are you asleep?"