"Ian, your wife is over there-why not invite her to join us upstairs?" Vanessa called out kindly.


    Eleanor''s tone was cool. "Does it matter to you where I am?"


    Just then, Jude Vaughn came up, greeting him with a cheerful, "Mr. Goodwin! I didn''t expect to see you here."


    "It''s been a while, Mr. Vaughn," Ian replied with a nod.


    "What a coincidence. Eleanor and I are here representing Dr. Lyman for a panel discussion," said Jude Vaughn.


    Vanessa, standing nearby, raised her brows in surprise. Eleanor was qualified to represent the legendary Dr. Lyman? Everyone knew that Dr. Lyman''s protégés were all renowned figures in the medical field.


    "Of course—an invitation from you is always a pleasure," Jude replied, ncing at his watch. "Eleanor, we should get going."


    Eleanor nodded and, as she lifted her gaze, her eyes briefly met Xavier''s. She gave him a subtle nod before following Jude out.


    Vanessa didn''t miss the exchange. Her heart sank a little; there was definitely something different between Eleanor and Xavier now.


    If Henry,n''s close friend, was here as well, why hadn''t Eleanor greeted him? Clearly, she and Xavier were more than mere acquaintances.


    Vanessa''s mood dulled. Eleanor had once been just a housewife, kept tucked away at home byn. But now, she was making a name for herself in the outside world.


    Vanessa nced atn, only to find his expression calm and indifferent, as if nothing about Eleanor''s transformation could ruffle him. Then again, withn''s status, he was always surrounded by the top talent in every field. Eleanor hardly seemed remarkable byparison.


    The panel itself was dry and tedious. After representatives from various institutions finished their speeches, Jude took a phone call and returned to Eleanor''s side. "Ellie, let''s head upstairs for a while," he suggested.


    "But Jude, things aren''t finished here yet," Eleanor whispered.


    "Mrs. Grayson wants to see you. She''s waiting upstairs."


    Eleanor paused in surprise. Juliette wanted to see her?


    Juliette Grayson wasn''t someone to offend lightly. Without further hesitation, Eleanor slipped out with Jude.


    The elevator doors opened to a scene entirely different from the somber conference below. Upstairs, the atmosphere radiated luxury and exclusivity-the world of high society in full disy.


    No sooner had Eleanor stepped out than she nearly bumped into Xavier. He smiled warmly. "Looking for someone, Mrs. Goodwin?"


    "Who''s this?" Jude asked, curiosity piqued.<fn49ee> Follow current nov?ls on find(?)ovel</fn49ee>


    Eleanor introduced him. "This is Mr. Xavier Vaughn, president of Vaughn Shipping Group."


    Jude''s respect was immediate. "Mr. Vaughn! It''s an honor to meet you."


    "And this is Dr. Jude Vaughn, ourb director," Eleanor added.


    Xavier offered his hand. "Dr. Vaughn, a pleasure."


    "The honor''s mine," Jude replied, a bit taken aback by the introduction.


    "Are you looking for someone?" Xavier asked.


    "We''re looking for Mrs. Juliette Grayson," Jude exined.


    A subtle smile yed on Xavier''s lips. "I know where she is. Please, follow me."


    Eleanor hesitated, feeling for a moment as if Xavier had been waiting there just for them. She dismissed the thought-Xavier surely had better things to do.


    As they walked, Eleanor took in the view of the grand ballroom. She spottedn across the room, standing with Vanessa, who gracefully chatted with a foreign couple while deftly handling their social niceties.


    Xavier caught the direction of Eleanor''s gaze. There was a fleeting tenderness in his eyes before she looked away and followed him into a private reception suite.


    The door swung open, and Jude and Eleanor stepped forward to greet Mrs. Grayson.


    Xavier stayed outside while Mrs. Grayson got straight to the point-she wanted Eleanor to join her research team, and she''d already spoken to Dr. Lyman about


    it.