With her twin ponytails bouncing, the girl darted through the school gates. Eleanor stood up with a small smile, but just then, her phone rang. She picked it up. "Hey, Callie."


    "I''m on my way to theb."


    "Eleanor, Mr. Goodwin''s office just called. He wants you at Goodwin & Co. at ten for a research briefing. Don''te to theb yet."


    Eleanor paused, suddenly rememberingn''s ridiculous rule about weekly reports.


    "Alright, I''ll head over there. Thanks for handling things at theb," she replied calmly.


    Ever sincen had abandoned his daughterst time to see Vanessa, he''d sent a few texts, asking to see the girl. Eleanor had turned him down every time, without a trace of mercy.


    If she could help it, she''d make sure he never showed up in their daughter''s life again. If he wanted kids so badly, he could go have them with Vanessa.


    No sooner had Eleanor slipped into her car than her phone buzzed again—this time, a message from Mansfield Ellington. "Are you free for lunch? I''d love to take you out."


    She had no way of knowing how long this meeting would run, so lunch was out of the question.


    She replied, "I''m sorry, Mr. Ellington, I have ns at noon."


    "No worries. Let''s reschedule when you''re avable."


    "Of course," Eleanor answered.


    When she arrived at Goodwin & Co., she was a bit early-it was only nine-so she sat in the lobby to wait.


    A receptionist soon appeared with a ss of water. "Miss Sutton, would you like some water?"


    “Thank you,” Eleanor said, genuinely appreciative.


    "You''re here to see Mr. Goodwin, right?" the woman asked.


    "Yes, we have some work to discuss." Eleanor nodded.


    Sensing she shouldn''t pry, the receptionist slipped away. But soon, a little huddle formed behind the desk as eight receptionists started whispering among themselves, unable to resist their curiosity.


    "Mr. Goodwin''s ex-wife is stunning-honestly, she could give that Miss Shannon a run for her money..."


    "Miss Sutton''s a researcher. Of course, she doesn''t dress up every day. But if she did, she''d be gorgeous."


    "She''s so understated! I heard she got shares in eightpanies after the divorce, but look at her-there isn''t a single brand logo on her. That purse she''s carrying is from, what, three or four years ago?"


    Oblivious, Eleanor scrolled through research reports on her phone,pletely absorbed.


    At 9:45, the elevator doors slid open andn''s assistant hurried over.


    "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin is waiting for you in the conference room."


    Eleanor blinked; clearly, the receptionists had already called up to let them know she''d arrived, promptingn to send his assistant.


    She nodded and followed the assistant into the elevator.


    The woman hesitated, then spoke up. "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin... isn''t in the best mood today. Just so you know—"


    Eleanor nced at her, prompting an awkward exnation. “He kind of snapped at the project team this morning."


    Eleanor''s lips curled into a faint, ironic smile. Ian''s mood was none of her


    concern.


    But she nodded gratefully, handed over the files, and asked the assistant to print two copies for the meeting.


    The elevator stopped at the executive floor. Therge conference room''s door stood ajar. The assistant gestured for Eleanor to enter but didn''t dare go in herself.


    Eleanor pushed open the door.<pn stood with his back to her, tall and imposing at the window, sunlight casting his figure in sharp relief, an unmistakable air of tension emanating from him.