Eleanor shook her head. "No, I haven''t—I just stopped by to light a candle."


    Joel understood immediately. Clearly, Xavier had been the one to invite her.


    He had watched Eleanor grow up over the years. Sometimes, he couldn''t help but marvel at how much she''d been through. Looking at her now, it was hard to believe she''d only just turned twenty-seven. She still had that youthful innocence in her face, a hint of the girl she used to be.


    Catching Joel''s gaze, Eleanor looked a little bewildered. She wiped the corner of her mouth, half-wondering if she had something on her face.


    "Come on," Joel said, breaking the moment. "Let''s take a walk and grab some coffee from the ce across the street. We could both use a break before getting back to work."


    Eleanor nodded. There was a blend at that café she particrly liked.


    As they strolled side by side out onto the sidewalk, a sleek ck Maybach idled at the curb nearby. Ian sat in the back seat, phone pressed to his ear. Gavin, sharp- eyed as ever, spotted Eleanor first. "Mr. Goodwin, that''s Miss Sutton."


    Just then, the roar of a motorcycle engine echoed down the street-a rider weaving recklessly between the cars. Even though the pedestrian light was green, the bike''s speed made it clear the rider had no regard for the rules and was likely to blow right through the crossing.


    Sure enough, the motorcycle surged forward, heading straight for the crosswalk.


    With barely three meters to spare, Joel reacted instantly, pulling Eleanor into his arms and out of harm''s way.


    The motorcycle zed past, the rush of air whipping Eleanor''s hair around her face.


    Joel''s arm stayed protectively around her shoulders, his voice tight with both fear and anger. "People like that shouldn''t be allowed on the road!"


    Eleanor, still shaken, clung to Joel''s sleeve, her breath catching in her throat.


    Inside the Maybach,n saw the entire scene y out in perfect rity.


    His fingers tightened around his phone, the voice on the other end-someone droning on about work-faded into background noise.


    "Mr. Goodwin? Mr. Goodwin, are you still with me?" The voice on the line grew uncertain.


    The caller continued, now even more nervous.


    On the sidewalk, Joel kept his arm around Eleanor, bending slightly to check if she was alright.


    Eleanor shook her head, reassuring him she was fine. Still wary, Joel gripped her wrist and hurried her safely across the street.


    Gavin, ncing up at the rearview mirror, saw the stony look on his boss''s face and wisely kept silent.


    Ten minutester, Eleanor and Joel each walked back toward Meridian Dynamics, coffee in hand.


    The Maybach was still there, parked at the curb.


    Almost simultaneously, both their phones rang. Eleanor answered first. "Hello?"


    "Ellie, there''s an emergency meeting at two."


    "Alright, I''ll be there."


    Joel received the same call, and together they quickened their pace toward the lobby of Meridian Dynamics.


    Back at her desk, Eleanor saw a string of messages from Garrison, each with a new question. With a few minutes to spare, she quickly replied. By the time she finished, she realized she was runningte.


    Grabbing herptop, she hurried off to the meeting room.


    The moment Eleanor stepped into Conference Room Three, she could sense something was off.


    The room was already filled-every department head was present.