Eleanor''s face had gone pale with fright. She caught her breath and managed to say, "I''m alright."


    "I''m sorry. I wasn''t paying attention to the road," Xavier apologized.


    Eleanor knew she shared some of the me, so she offered a reassuring smile. "It''s not your fault. Just try not to get distracted while driving."


    Xavier pressed down on the gas and continued the drive to her house.


    When they reached Eleanor''s front door, she paused before stepping out, ncing back to remind him, "Mr. Vaughn, please drive carefully."


    Xavier lowered the window, watching her walk away. To himself, he murmured, "Miss Sutton, we have all the time in the world."


    The early morning sun spilled across Eleanor, gilding her like the first bloom of a rose at dawn. Her skin glowed with a pearly luster, her beauty dazzling-almost breathtaking.


    Eleanor herself was the only one unaware of just how striking she was.


    But for those who noticed, they had long since fallen under her spell.


    Catching sight of the time, Eleanor realized she needed to hurry-she had a meeting at Meridian Dynamics, and she hated beingte.


    She rushed to the conference room, only to collide with someone at the door. Even though she tried to stop, momentum pitched her straight into his arms.


    A strong arm circled her waist, and Eleanor, startled, looked up.n was gazing down at her. "Where''s the fire?"


    She quickly pushed him away and took a step back, frowning on instinct. "Don''t touch me."


    So, he was here for the meeting as well.


    Eleanor entered the conference room and immediately noticed Joel, Faye, and Gwenda already seated.


    Xavier was there too, along with his team.


    Since Xavier had taken over Juliette''s foundation and her research group, it made sense that he''d bring his people to Meridian Dynamics, the global leader in medical Al research.


    Just then, a breathless voice sounded behind her, "I''m notte, am I?"


    The voice was familiar. Eleanor turned to see Serena standing behind her, clutching a notebook. Serena, still catching her breath, looked surprised to find Eleanor there surprised, and perhaps a little annoyed.


    Why was it that wherever Xavier was, Eleanor seemed to be nearby?


    To Serena, it looked as if, ever since Eleanor''s divorce from her brother, she''d been eager to make Xavier her next prospect-chasing after him every chance she got.


    Xavier, in the middle of a conversation, nced over and caught Eleanor''s eye. A flicker of amusement crossed his face.


    Whenn sat down beside him, Xavier quickly masked any expression. To Eleanor''s dismay, she realized her assigned seat was right betweenn and Xavier. She could only sigh inwardly.


    But the seating was fixed, and she had to sit wherever her name card was ced.


    At least being in the front row meant she was valued.


    Sitting between two power yers was something to envy.


    Faye was certainly envious, Gwenda''s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and Serena, sitting in the very back with herptop, was clearly disgruntled. Why did Eleanor get to sit between her brother and Xavier?


    Whoever made the seating chart, Serena thought, must have had their reasons.


    Byron, the VP of Meridian Dynamics, stepped up to the podium to begin his presentation. Though this was called a meeting, in reality it was the public unveiling of a breakthrough achievement in Al technology.


    Everyone listened intently. Eleanor''s gaze was full of admiration-Meridian Dynamics truly attracted the best minds, and their rapid progress was proof.


    Eleanor reached for a bottle of water in front of her. She tried to twist the cap open, but it felt like it had been welded shut.


    With a quiet sigh, she set the bottle back down, unaware that both men beside her had caught her struggling with the cap.<fn3587> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn3587>