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?

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