Eleanor bit her lip and shot a re at her best friend. "Look what you''ve gotten me into."


    Joy just grinned. "Don''t worry. I''ll watch Evelyn that day. You go meet Mr. Ellington


    and letn-the-jerk see just how in-demand you really are."


    Eleanor rolled her eyes, but she knew Joy meant well, so she let it slide.


    On Saturday, Eleanor spent the whole day at the yground with her daughter. Evelyn was so thrilled that,e bedtime, she fell asleep without even demanding a bedtime story.


    That weekend, Eleanor invited Joy over for lunch. Joy, ever the doting friend, brought along a few new toys to keep Evelyn entertained—her not-so-subtle way of making sure Eleanor could go on her date without worry.


    At four o''clock, Mansfield Ellington texted her the restaurant address, adding, "Would you like me to pick you up?"


    "No, thank you," Eleanor replied.


    By five thirty, she''d freshened up, pulled on a simple outfit, and headed out to a discreet garden restaurant tucked away in the city center.


    At the entrance, a server guided her through a walkway lined with bamboo. The gentle notes of a string quartet drifted through the air, growing clearer as she approached.


    In an elegant garden pavilion, Mansfield Ellington was finishing up a phone call. He stood tall and straight, a natural confidence in his posture—something about him had that unmistakable air of a man who''d spent time in the military.


    The moment he saw Eleanor, he ended the call and smiled.


    "Miss Sutton, you''re here." Mansfield''s eyes lingered on her, and he couldn''t help but think she looked even better in person than in the photos he''d seen online after their brief encounter that night.


    Tonight, Eleanor wore a simple knit sweater, a delicate string of pearls cinched at her waist, giving her an air of gentle elegance.


    "This ce is lovely," she said, ncing around. The half-drawn bamboo blinds revealed a lily pond outside, moonlight shimmering across the water. The atmosphere was tranquil, almost poetic.


    "I figured you''d appreciate somewhere quiet," Mansfield said, pulling out her chair for her with effortless grace.


    When Eleanor looked up to thank him, she noticed a faint blush coloring the tips of his ears.


    Was he nervous?


    The realization sent an odd flutter through her chest.


    A waiter brought over the menus. Mansfield smiled, "Is there anything you don''t eat, Miss Sutton?"


    "No, nothing," Eleanor replied automatically.


    Once they''d ordered, Mansfield''s gaze drifted to her again. When Eleanor finally nced up, he quickly looked away, taking a sip of his tea to cover his embarrassment.


    She felt a little awkward too, searching for something to talk about. Their eyes met, and suddenly both of them wereughing, the tension melting away.


    Eleanor found herself recounting the story of the night she''d helped his grandmother. Mansfield insisted that next time, he''d treat both her and Joy to dinner as a thank you.


    "Let me tell you something fun," Mansfield said with a grin.


    Eleanor nodded, listening as he regaled her with tales of single-handedly apprehending four criminals, and the mishaps from his training days.


    "So, you really ran into a snake as thick as your arm?" Eleanor asked, skeptical but amused.


    Mansfield chuckled. "If you''re not squeamish, I''ll send you a phototer."


    She smiled, shaking her head. "I''m not squeamish."


    "Alright, I''ll send it to you," he replied, his gaze lingering on her smile for a moment longer than necessary.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang. She nced at the screen. "Excuse me, I need to take this."


    She stepped into the softly lit hallway, the warm golden glow wrapping around her. As she answered, someone from a nearby private room stepped out to take a call as well. Eleanor looked up, and so did he.


    Their eyes met.


    Eleanor''s expression went cold in an instant.


    Eleanor''s call was from Simone, reminding her about the report she needed to prepare for tomorrow''s meeting. As she finished up,n came walking back, phone still in hand.


    "What a coincidence," he said, breaking the silence.


    Eleanor didn''t reply. She gripped her phone and turned back toward the garden pavilion. Ian''s intense gaze followed her, and after a moment''s hesitation, he started down the hallway, heading straight for Eleanor''s private dining room.