Eleanor pressed on. "If you have eyes, you''d see that every bit of my time and energy goes into theb."


    There was a sharpness to Eleanor now, impossible to ignore.


    "Business investments are all about returns, but research doesn''t work that way. If all you care about is efficiency and profit, maybe you should invest in health supplements instead-those can hit the market in three months." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.


    Eleanor met his gaze head-on. "So, are you still nning to pull out of the project?"


    She lifted her chin a fraction. "But let me warn you: if this project gets shut down, the eight billion you put in upfront will probably evaporate-gone, just like that."


    She shot back, "Aren''t you the one threatening me?"


    She''s changed.


    This was no longer the Eleanor who used to swallow her feelings and step back. Now, she was a scientist who could stand toe-to-toe with him, unflinching.


    And to his own surprise, he found himself-


    Eleanor heard the apology, but it rang hollow. She let it slide.


    Eleanor tensed, brows knitting together, as he braced one hand on the edge of her desk-somehow managing to make the space feel even smaller, as if he were closing her in.


    "The project continues," he said, withdrawing his hand, voice cool and all


    business again. "But the three-month deadline stays."


    It was clear: in this round, Eleanor hade out ahead.


    She picked up the report, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave.


    “I''ll pick Evelyn up this afternoon. I want to take her out for dinner,"n called after her.


    Eleanor''s face fell; she turned back, her voice sharp. "I''ll allow you to have dinner with her-just the two of you. But if you''re nning to introduce her to any random people, I won''t allow it."


    Eleanor mmed the door behind her, fuming. That little smile-what did it mean? Did he think she still cared? That she was jealous? If that''s what was going on in his head, he really was deluding himself.


    She had to admit, thoughn still had a way of stirring up her emotions far too easily. The wounds he''d left ran deep.


    Sincen was taking care of their daughter, Eleanor found herself workingte, throwing herself into her projects almost without realizing it.


    By the time she pulled off her safety goggles and checked the clock, it was already nine in the evening. Shocked, she hurried to pack up and head home.


    It was nearly ten when Eleanor finally opened the front door. Laughter greeted her


    -the bright sound of her daughter, andn''s familiar voice.


    Princess, the family''s golden retriever, rushed out to greet her, tail wagging furiously.


    "Mom!" Evelyn dashed over and hugged her tight, clearly in high spirits.


    “Ma''am, have you eaten? Would you like me to cook something for you?" Joslyn,


    the housekeeper, called from the kitchen, concern in her voice.


    Eleanor realized she was starving. "Could you make me a bowl of soup?"


    "Of course. Evelyn, would you like some too?"


    "Yes! I want to eat with Mom!" Evelyn dered loudly.


    "Evelyn, Daddy has to go now. We''ll y again next time, okay?"


    Evelyn pouted. "No! I don''t want Daddy to leave." She wrapped her little arms around his leg—she was barely tall enough to reach his knee.


    Eleanor''s brows drew together. This was exactly why she worried aboutn spending too much time with their daughter-Evelyn only grew more attached to him.


    Kneeling down, Eleanor gently took her daughter''s hand. "Sweetheart, Daddy has work to do. Let''s let him go for now, all right?"


    But Evelyn stubbornly shook her head. "No! I want Daddy to stay with me!"


    "Really?" Instantly, Evelyn''s tears vanished. She stuck out her pinky, beaming. "You have to promise! Pinky swear!"


    Watching the two of them, Eleanor felt a tightness in her chest.


    She turned away and headed for the kitchen. "Joslyn, is the soup ready yet?" "Almost, ma''am. Why don''t you sit down and rx?"


    When Eleanor returned,n was carrying Evelyn out toward the garden, his voice low as he soothed her. Two minutester, Evelyn came skipping back into the living room, her face bright with smiles.


    Eleanor headed upstairs for a quick shower-she didn''t want the lingering scent of antiseptic from theb to cling to her daughter.


    Sharing a simple dinner with Evelyn that night felt especially precious.


    On Wednesday, Ellington forwarded her apany email. "Miss Sutton, here''s an invitation from Mr. Brown-he''s hosting a business dinner. If you have time, you should attend."


    Eleanor hesitated but ultimately decided to go. Mr. Brown''s influence in the business world was nothing to scoff at.


    Just then, a message from Xavier popped up: "Are you going to the dinner on Sunday?"


    Eleanor replied, "I''ll be there."


    "Great, see you then."


    She rubbed her temples. Truth was, she wasn''t looking forward to the event-one reason being the unpleasantpany she''d have to endure.


    Time in theb always seemed to fly. By noon on Wednesday, Ellington stopped


    by her office to remind her, and shortly after,n messaged her as well.


    "My mother will pick up Evelyn this afternoon and take her home for dinner." Clearly, he knew about the event.


    Eleanor sent back a quick reply, then took the afternoon off to visit a boutique downtown.


    She chose a simple, elegant emerald gown-nothing shy, but striking in its own right.


    "Miss Sutton, you look absolutely stunning in that dress," the manager said, and


    she meant it. There was something about Eleanor-a quiet confidence, a poise that radiated from within.