"Ian,e here, I''d like to introduce you to someone," Henry called out.


    Eleanor smiled politely. "Yes, we''ve met."<fnea9c> Find the newest release on Find?Novel</fnea9c>


    Henry chuckled. "Well then,n, this is Mr. Joel Kingsley-the star pupil of Professor Kelvin and a rising star in the world of medicine."


    Joel sized him up briefly, then shook his hand-both grips firm, but the exchange was over in a second.


    "Mrs. Goodwin, it was nice meeting you," Joel said with a warm smile before excusing himself.


    "Remember your ce," a man''s low voice murmured in her ear.


    There was a warning in his tone, something dark and possessive beneath the calm.


    A faint, mocking smile yed on Eleanor''s lips. He could parade his lover around the room for all to see, but if she so much as spoke with another man, he had the nerve to warn her?


    Talk about double standards.


    She gently pulled her arm free, andn let her go. Eleanor continued to the bar and ordered another juice. Nearby, Vanessa was chatting with a wealthy-looking woman in Drexford''snguage.


    "Who is she? I don''t think I''ve ever seen her before."


    Vanessa smiled pleasantly. "She''sn''s wife-from back home."


    The other woman''s eyebrows shot up. "Then Miss Shannon will need to be careful tonight, and keep her distance from Mr. Goodwin-otherwise, his wife might get upset."


    Vanessa''s lips curved in a sly smile. "She won''t mind. They''re in the middle of a divorce."


    The woman nced at Eleanor, appraising her. "She seems pretty sheltered. Honestly, she''s not much of a match for Mr. Goodwin."


    Standing so close, they assumed Eleanor couldn''t understand theirnguage. They had no idea she''d be fluent in fournguages over the past six years.


    So Vanessa was spreading news of their impending divorce right here among their circle-withn''s tacit approval?


    "I''m here with my husband and daughter for Christmas," Eleanor replied, switching smoothly into English.


    Joel grinned. "Looks like you haven''t forgotten what I taught you!"


    He leaned in, dropping his voice, and shot a quick nce toward Vanessa. "If you want to leave, I can get you out of here."


    Joel knew all about Vanessa beingn''s mistress. Eleanor gave him a faint, appreciative smile. "Thank you. If I need help, I''ll let you know."


    Across the room,n''s gaze turned cold as he watched them. The smile in his eyes vanished, reced by a glint of frost. The wine ss at his lips paused midair for a few seconds.


    "Let''s y a game, everyone!" Henry announced cheerfully. "I''m calling it ''Vintage Time Capsule''—it''s a wine tasting game, really simple."


    Everyone in the room perked up, eager to join in. Vanessa stood beside Xavier, her smileced with anticipation as she shot Eleanor a knowing look, already savoring the drama about to unfold.