"Is that even a reasonable request?" Eleanor tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    "As long as you ept it, Miss Sutton, it''s reasonable. Of course, you''re free to refuse," Frazier replied.<fn1820> For original chapters go to find?novel</fn1820>


    Eleanor couldn''t fathom whyn would make such a ridiculous demand.


    "What''s going through his mind?" she asked, turning to Frazier, hoping for an


    answer.


    Frazier smiled faintly, adjusting his sses. "If you''d like, Miss Sutton, I can give you my take on Mr. Goodwin''s motives."


    Eleanor nodded, signaling him to go on.


    "My guess is, Mr. Goodwin''s trying to leave the door open for a possible reconciliation."


    Reconciliation?


    That was never going to happen-not in this lifetime.


    Frazier handed her a pen. "If everything looks good on your end, please sign here. I''ll coordinate with Mr. Goodwin''swyer and we''ll finalize a date for the divorce as soon as possible."


    Eleanor signed, then thanked him sincerely. "Thank you for handling this."


    That evening, Joy threw Eleanor an early "divorce countdown" celebration, booking a table at their favorite bistro.


    The two friendsughed and ate until they werepletely satisfied, then headed home together.


    The next morning, Eleanor got a call from Meridian Dynamics-there was a meeting scheduled for the afternoon.


    This time, the meeting would be held at Goodwin & Co. headquarters.


    2:00 p.m.


    Eleanor and Joel Kingsley followed Meridian Dynamics'' team into the grand lobby of Goodwin & Co.


    Surrounded by a crowd of men in sharp suits, Eleanor stood out in her pearl-white blouse and tailored cks. At five-foot-five, with strikingly refined features and her hair swept into a simple updo, she exuded an understated elegance.


    She moved through the crowd with quiet confidence. The poise she''d gained from years in academia shone through in every gesture, her intellect and grace impossible to miss. As Byron Chase, VP of Meridian Dynamics, leaned in to chat with her, it was clear her confidence was rooted deep within.


    When Eleanor walked into the conference room side by side with Byron, Serena Goodwin and Vanessa Shannon, seated in the front row, both looked up, as if they''d been expecting her.


    Vanessa had already broken into the upper echelons of the art world, but she couldn''t help feeling a pang of envy at the effortless charm Eleanor carried as a scientist-a kind of allure Vanessa couldn''t quite match.


    Without anyone noticing, the woman who''d once been expected to y the part of housewife inn''s home had, in less than a year, transformed into someone dazzling.


    Eleanor spotted Serena and Vanessa. Just then, an assistant led her to a seat in the second row. Byron, who was supposed to sit up front, moved to the second row as well, seizing the chance to keep talking with Eleanor.


    "Isn''t that Meridian Dynamics'' VP? Is he trying to cozy up to Eleanor?" Serena grumbled, annoyed.


    "I doubt he knows your brother and Eleanor are getting divorced," Vanessa replied. After all, Eleanor was still officially Mrs. Goodwin.


    Serena scoffed. "Then he''s cozying up to the wrong woman. He should be working on you the future Mrs. Goodwin."


    Vanessa just pressed her lips together, offering no exnation.


    A littleter,n strode in, sharp in a tailored suit, nked by three senior


    executives. He nced briefly in Eleanor''s direction before his sister waved him over. He gave Vanessa a lingering look.


    Vanessa greeted him with a flirtatious smile.


    Eleanor caught the exchange as she looked up. By now, it was no surprise-


    wherevern went, Vanessa was right there at his side.


    Was there any asion left where he didn''t bring her along?