When they arrived at the restaurant, Faye had already swapped out her business suit for a striking, low-cut dress, turning heads as she entered. Eleanor, on the other hand, stuck to her signature look: a crisp white blouse and dark jeans— simple, fresh, and decidedly unfussy.


    The private dining room buzzed with conversation about the day''s project. Byron, unable to contain his excitement, raised his ss and announced, "Who would''ve thought Meridian Dynamics would reach the point of coborating with the military? All thanks to Mr. Goodwin''s leadership. Let''s have a toast to Mr. Goodwin!"


    Everyone at the table stood to join in-except Eleanor.


    sses were raised inn''s direction, but Eleanor simply sipped her tea, unconcerned. Everyone there understood: no matter how out of line Eleanor might seem,n would never hold it against her.


    Faye shot Eleanor a sideways nce. Did she really have to act so aloof, as if she were above the rest of the team? What made her so special? Did beingn''s ex-wife entitle her to some kind of privilege?


    "Alright, everyone''s worked hard. Let''s eat,"n said, his long fingers pausing thezy Susan at the center of the table.


    The group fell quiet for a moment, noticing that a steaming dish of truffle-baked lobster hade to rest directly in front of Eleanor.


    Eleanor picked up her fork and replied coolly, "Got tired of it."


    Only Faye kept ncing betweenn and Eleanor, her curiosity growing. What was going on here? Wasn still looking out for his ex-wife? Could there be something rekindling between them?


    "Miss Sutton," Byron chimed in, "Mr. Goodwin has already agreed to have you seconded back to Meridian Dynamics for the military project. Looks like we''ll be working together again."


    Faye''s expression soured as she stared at Eleanor. What? She''sing back for research again?


    Eleanor herself was genuinely interested in the project-it was based on her own theoretical work, after all, and she was eager to see it put into practice.


    After dinner, with the night still young, Eleanor decided to head downtown to pick out a gift for her daughter.


    "Joel, why don''t you head back first? I want to find something for my little girl."


    "Kingston''s pretty safe, but I''d still worry about you wandering around alone thiste. Let mee with you," Joel replied with an easy smile.


    Faye, catching their conversation, piped up, "Joel, mind if I join you guys? I''d love to shop a little too!"


    Joel frowned slightly. "Maybe Laird can go with you."


    Laird jumped in right away, "Sure, Faye. I''ve got time."


    Faye hesitated, her tone chilly. "Never mind. I''m beat—I''ll just head back and get some rest."


    Meanwhile,n and Byron were deep in conversation, butn nced over just in time to see Eleanor misjudge a step and stumble slightly.


    Joel was quick, steadying her with a gentle arm. "Careful,” he said.


    Eleanor regained her bnce, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Didn''t see that step."


    "The lighting''s terrible-someone shouldin about that," Joel muttered, letting her go.


    "Mr. Goodwin?"


    Snapped from his thoughts,n replied, "We''ll discuss the project details back at the hotel."


    "Are you heading back to the guesthouseter, sir?"


    "I have someone to meet. You all go ahead." With that,n strode toward a waiting ck SUV.


    Just then, his phone rang. It was Vanessa calling.