No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 396

Joy stepped into the elevator, eyes flickering to the panel above the doors. Next to the tenth floor, where the grand ballroom was located, a digital sign read: “Private Celebration.”

She paused, a puzzled look crossing her face. Was Ian here for a friend’s party?

“Dad’s being mean. He’s back in town, but he won’t come to see me!” Evelyn pouted, cheeks puffed out in indignation.

Joy noticed the little girl’s mood souring and thought, Maybe I imagined it. After all, this hotel was crawling with wealthy socialites; it wouldn’t be surprising if someone looked a lot like Ian.

With a soft chime, the elevator doors slid open. Two servers carrying flutes of champagne walked out, their conversation drifting over.

“Miss Shannon looks absolutely stunning tonight! That gown must’ve cost a fortune.”

“I heard someone rented the entire tenth floor just for her—”

“Wow, the guy behind her must really adore her.”

Joy’s face paled. She scooped Evelyn into her arms and started walking quickly in the opposite direction. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s go find your mom.”

“No!” Evelyn suddenly began to wriggle and squirm, her voice trembling on the edge of tears. “I want Daddy.”

Joy rarely carried Evelyn, and now, with the girl weighing nearly eighty pounds, she couldn’t hold on for long. The moment she set Evelyn down, the child darted away like a slippery little fish—straight toward the private ballroom across the hall.

“Evelyn!” Joy called, hurrying after her.

Ballroom Three on the tenth floor sparkled with gold and crystal. A server holding the door open blinked in surprise as a little girl appeared before her.

“Hey there, are you a guest here too?” she asked kindly.

“Yes, I am,” Evelyn replied, brimming with confidence.

The server smiled and ushered her inside. “Go ahead, sweetie.”

Evelyn stepped into the ballroom and immediately spotted the towering six-tier cake at the center of the room.

Under the spotlights, Vanessa was radiant in a shimmering white gown, laughing and chatting with guests.

Ian stood nearby, talking with Henry. The moment Evelyn saw her father’s familiar silhouette, she called out as loud as she could—

“Daddy!”

A child’s voice rang out across the hall. Ian spun around, startled, and saw his daughter standing by the champagne tower.

His expression turned instantly to shock. He set his glass down and hurried over. “Evelyn, what are you doing here?”

Vanessa’s smile froze on her face.

Evelyn? What is she doing here? Did Eleanor come too?

Vanessa tried again, flashing her brightest smile. “Evelyn, I even got you a present! Wouldn’t you like to see?”

Evelyn shook her head, stubbornly refusing.

Vanessa was momentarily at a loss. Gifts and sweets always worked before. She reached out, meaning to scoop Evelyn up, but Joy quickly stepped in and took Evelyn’s hand. “Evelyn, Mommy will be here any minute.”

“Come to Daddy.” Ian lifted Evelyn into his arms, his broad hand gently cradling her head, comforting and protective.

Evelyn wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her big blue eyes glaring fiercely at anyone who might try to take him away. She was claiming her father for herself, and it was clear she wouldn’t share.

To everyone else, it was just a child’s possessiveness. But to Vanessa, it felt like a slap in the face.

Of course, Eleanor must have told Evelyn to fight for Ian.

Suddenly, the ballroom doors burst open.

Eleanor stormed in, breathless, clearly having run all the way.

She marched straight up to Ian, her expression icy. “Give Evelyn to me.”

Vanessa’s face darkened. So Eleanor was here after all.

Did she pick tonight on purpose, just to ruin Vanessa’s party? Then again, the Vesper Joy Hotel belonged to Eleanor now—Vanessa probably never should have chosen this place in the first place.