Through the rearview mirror, Ian caught the look of astonishment on her face. A small smile played on his lips, pleased with her reaction.
"Xavier and I grew up together. I wouldn't abandon him in his time of need," he said, casually discussing a situation that required top-tier diplomatic intervention as if it were nothing more than the weather.
Eleanor was truly shocked. She never imagined Ian would go to such lengths for Xavier. The cost and the political capital involved went far beyond a simple declaration of friendship. But whatever his motives, the fact that he was willing to help was a good thing.
Just then, the car pulled up to the entrance of Cloudcrest Manor. "Mommy, we're home!" Evelyn's voice chirped.
Eleanor shook herself from her thoughts. "Alright, you two go on. I'm heading inside."
After getting out of the car, she started walking toward the complex. The black Maybach didn't drive away immediately. From the driver's seat, Ian's eyes followed her graceful figure, his hand unconsciously stroking the steering wheel, a storm of emotions in his eyes. He was brought back to reality by a small voice.
"Daddy! Aren't we going?" Evelyn called out from the back seat.
Ian turned with a gentle smile. "Right. Let's go."
The Maybach finally pulled away and headed toward the nearby mall.
As Eleanor walked home, her thoughts were in turmoil. If Ian hadn't told her, she would have had no idea about the massive trouble Xavier was in. Even now, she didn't know how much progress he had made. She pulled out her phone and checked the news. The top business story was about Vaughn Shipping.
[Multiple Vaughn Shipping Cargo Ships Seized, Stock Poised for a Nosedive as Group Faces Potentially Crippling Lawsuits.]

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