But just as she retracted her hand, she fell on the spot. However, Hugo had already turned around and didn’t see it.
"Miss, are you okay?"
The handsome guy from earlier suddenly approached her. Now that he was closer, Eleanor noticed how flawless his skin was, not a single pore visible, suggesting he might be mixed race.
"I’m fine, no need to worry."
She waved her hand, afraid she might lose her balance again, and quickly held onto the railing.
"I’m a coach here, I can teach you."
This young man skated beautifully, his movements light. Eleanor had noticed him before since many women around were watching him.
"Thanks, but no need."
Eleanor decisively refused, thinking that if Hugo saw this, he’d probably get jealous again.
The man, seeing her face full of rejection, doubted his own charm. Didn’t she just intend to fall into his arms? How could she do a 180-degree turn so fast?
This was a trick women often used at the ice rink: pretending to fall into his embrace and then spending a romantic moment together. After all, they were offering themselves willingly, and he naturally accepted them all.
The woman in front of him was quite attractive, at least his type, but what was she playing at?
His lips curved into a smile as he moved closer to Eleanor.
"Miss, you don’t need to be afraid. Everyone around here knows me. I taught them all how to skate. You seem like you don’t know how, so I’ll teach you today for free."
Eleanor took a step back with her hand clutching the railing. For some reason, she felt that this man had bad intentions despite looking quite dashing.
She refused again, wanting to go to Hugo.
But the man obviously didn’t give her the chance and grabbed her waist.
"You need it. Hold onto me, and I’ll teach you."
Hugo had just turned around when he saw Eleanor tussling with a man, even falling into his embrace, and his face turned dark instantly.
"Dad, Mommy is skating with another man, aren’t you going to stop them? That uncle seems to be oozing with sleaze, maybe he’ll steal Mommy away."
Hugo glanced down at his son, wondering where he learned the word "sleaze."
"He’s not as good-looking as me, your Mommy isn’t blind."
Though he said that, his body reacted honestly, and he instantly skated over.
Eleanor, struggling to get rid of the man, was relieved to see Hugo approaching.
The man was saying something flirtatious when, suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder. Before he knew it, he was sprawled on the ground, limbs flailing, looking a bit comical.
He angrily got up and saw Hugo standing beside Eleanor, instantly understanding that this flower already had an owner. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾·𝗇𝖾𝗍
Though he was flirtatious, he would never ruin someone else’s relationship. He was a scoundrel with principles.
"Sorry, I didn’t know she had a boyfriend."
He rubbed his sore waist, a greenish hue on his face.
Hugo glanced at Eleanor blandly; he hadn’t seen her for just a moment, and she was already flirting outside.
Eleanor quickly raised her hand to swear, her eyes innocent.
"Couldn’t you refuse?"
"I did refuse, but it didn’t work."
Eleanor clung to his arm, her face pleading.
Hugo’s heart softened, and he immediately forgot the little episode.
The three of them skated on the rink the whole morning until Marcus said he was hungry, and they went to the third floor to find a restaurant for lunch.
They had steak, but Eleanor, used to hard times, always felt that spending thousands on such a thing was not worth it, not filling at all.
She used to have only one requirement when dining out: to be full. But to fill up at this upscale place would probably cost tens of thousands.
"Mommy, I know what you’re thinking."
Marcus suddenly rested his chin on his hands, smiling mischievously.
"Mommy must be thinking, ’Just this little bit of food, so expensive.’
Eleanor blushed at this naughty boy’s teasing her now.
"Actually, coming here for a meal is just for the atmosphere and to cultivate temperament, not to get full, Mommy. Look over there."
Marcus secretly pointed, gesturing to a woman in the corner.
"That woman is using her knife and fork so cautiously, and keeps glancing around, exuding insecurity. It’s probably her first time in such a place."
Marcus wasn’t even six yet but had analyzed everything so accurately.
"Mommy, now look at the woman on the other side, calm and steady, as if eating street-side spicy skewers."
Eleanor’s gaze moved in the direction Marcus pointed and finally nodded.
Perhaps it’s just the difference in upbringing.
"Mommy, you’re the wife of Grandeur’s CEO. Wherever you go, everyone should be pampering you. Don’t be so insecure. Daddy likes you, so that means you’re still an outstanding person."
This was the first time Marcus had said such words to Eleanor.
Both adults were a bit stunned, but after regaining their senses, they cut the steak in hand and put it into his bowl.
"Weren’t you hungry? Eat more."
The family of three was very happy, and Eleanor felt her back straighten looking at her husband and son, much more confident than when they first came in.
She remembered they hadn’t prepared Christmas gifts for the two of them, so she frowned slightly.
She grabbed Marcus and Hugo and went to the mall.
When she saw the matching family outfits, her steps stopped, and she stood there looking.
"This looks great, Mommy."
Marcus’s eyes sparkled. He had never worn matching family outfits with the two adults.
Eleanor saw he liked it so much and immediately paid for it.
"I want to change into it now, Daddy, Mommy, you should change too."
Marcus eagerly placed the outfits in front of them, grabbed his set, and went into the fitting room.
Eleanor and Hugo exchanged helpless glances and eventually each found a fitting room.
But just as she removed her coat, Eleanor noticed a little red dot flashing in the fitting room. She frowned and reached to pull it off.
It was near the hook, in a hidden spot, probably unnoticed by anyone usually.
Upon pulling it off, she surprisingly found it was a camera.
A chill ran down her spine as she grabbed her coat and immediately opened the door and went out.
Hugo and Marcus had already changed, and seeing that she’d only taken off her coat without changing, they looked at her quizzically.
"There’s a camera in the fitting room."
Eleanor showed the device she found, her face uncomfortable.
If she had been a bit careless just now, she might have been exposed on camera.