No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 461

The children ran circles around the grand Roman columns, giggling and whispering secrets to each other.

Eleanor Sutton was just about to leave when Xavier Vaughn called out, “Eleanor, let the kids play! Stay and have dinner with us.”

She offered a polite smile. “No, thank you. Please, go ahead without me.”

But as she turned, Xavier reached out and gently, yet firmly, caught her wrist. “The nanny’s watching the kids,” he said, his eyes warm and persuasive. “You don’t need to worry.”

The touch made Ian Goodwin’s gaze turn ice-cold. He set down his wine glass with a sharp clink, the sound echoing off the polished tabletop.

Xavier released her and kept his eyes on Eleanor, waiting for her to respond.

“You’ve been working all night, Eleanor,” Vanessa Shannon called out with a bright—almost pointed—smile. “Come, sit down and eat with us!”

The invitation was edged with sarcasm—Vanessa’s tone made it clear she thought Eleanor was acting like the lady of the Vaughn house before she’d even set foot through the door.

Before Eleanor could reply, Evelyn Goodwin and Vivian came running up. One called, “Mommy, I’m hungry! I want to eat!” The other chimed in, “Uncle, me too! I’m starving!”

The two girls planted themselves on either side of Eleanor and Xavier, looking for all the world like a picture-perfect family of four.

Without waiting for her mother, Evelyn clambered up onto a chair, Vivian taking the seat on Xavier’s other side. Xavier nodded at Eleanor. “Come on. Sit with us. The girls want you here.”

Eleanor took her place beside her daughter, while Xavier settled next to Vivian.

“Try this,” Xavier said, gesturing to the platter. “The foie gras just arrived fresh this morning.”

“I want some! I want some!” Evelyn demanded, her eyes glued to the dish.

Ian, silent until now, reached for the serving fork and placed a delicate slice on Eleanor’s plate.

His gesture sent a ripple of tension through the table; conversation faltered, the atmosphere suddenly taut.

Eleanor shot her a chilly glance. “People change. What you enjoy once can easily become something you can’t stand.”

Her words carried a double meaning—answering Vanessa, but also sending a pointed message to the ex-husband across the table.

Ian gripped his glass tighter, his eyes narrowed on Eleanor, emotions unreadable.

Vanessa, meanwhile, seemed almost delighted by the exchange.

But there was at least one person at the table who didn’t appreciate it. No matter how amicable a divorce, nobody likes being mocked by their ex in front of a room full of guests.

Ian’s expression grew even more inscrutable, his mood impossible to read.

Sensing the tension, Henry Holt quickly stood and forced a cheerful tone. “Come on, everyone, let’s eat before the food gets cold!”