Faye finally left, ncing back at the assistants she''d just startled.
Eleanor waited in her cubicle until everyone had gone. She''d overheard what Faye said.
So,n and Vanessa were already talking about marriage?
If it came from Faye''s mouth, chances were it was true.
Eleanor remembered Vanessa''s celebration dinner the other night-the whole thing had felt like a proposal. Mayben had already popped the question.
Shaking off the thought, Eleanor returned to her office. Soon after, Joel Kingsley stopped by, and the two of them went over some work matters.
Just then, Eleanor''s extension rang. She picked up. "Hello, this is Eleanor."
"Eleanor,e to my office for a moment." It was Byron.
"Of course, Mr. Chase," she replied.
She turned to Joel. "Mr. Chase wants to see me."
He nodded. "Go ahead."
Eleanor took the elevator up to Byron''s office. The moment she opened the door, she froze—someone else was sitting on the couch. Ian.
"Where''s Mr. Chase?" Eleanor asked, though she already suspectedn was the one who wanted to see her.
Eleanor''s expression turned cold. "If it''s not about work, then I don''t want to hear it."
She met his gaze, spine straight, refusing to be intimidated.
"You want to cut me out of my daughter''s lifepletely, is that it?"n was only a few feet away now, his stare fixed on her, usation simmering beneath the surface.
That was exactly what Eleanor hoped for-to free her daughter from his influence, to help her stop depending on him.
Eleanor''s silence spoke volumes.
He paused, ncing over and catching the sudden rigidity in Eleanor''s posture. His voice grew even lower. "The first time I held her, my hands were shaking."
Eleanor dug her nails into her palm. What was he trying to do, bringing this up now?
"From the moment she called me ''Daddy'' for the first time, I swore I''d give her the very best the world had to offer." Ian turned, his eyes locked on Eleanor''s. This wasn''t the controlling man she was used to-it was someone stripped bare by fear.
"Please. Don''t take her out of my life." Heposed himself, tone steadying. "The visitation schedule stays as it is. Eight times a month. The timing is flexible, but I''ll defer to you."
Eleanor clearly wasn''t happy, but she''d only agreed to so many visits in the first ce to get the divorce finalized.
"There''s no room for negotiation on this,"n said through clenched teeth, making it clear he wouldn''t budge.
She looked up and saw the red at the corners of his eyes, as if his own words had moved him.
At that moment, Byron''s assistant, Laird, knocked and poked his head in. "Mr. Goodwin-"
He immediately fell silent, sensing the tension in the room. Ian''s gaze swept over him, and Laird felt like he''d just been x-rayed.
He''d clearly walked right into a volcanic eruption.
"I''ll juste backter!" Laird stammered, quickly closing the door, forgetting
all about the meeting he was supposed to announce.
Eleanor, still facingn, remembered Joy''s warning: if she pushedn too far, he might stop at nothing to get full custody.
If he really tried to fight for custody, she wasn''t sure she could win. After all, the divorce agreement did grant him eight visits a month.
"Nobody in this world loves her more than I do. Not even you,"n added quietly.
"Fine," Eleanor said, lifting her chin. "But you have to promise me one thing- Vanessa stays away from my daughter."
Eleanor studied him, searching for any sign of dishonesty. "You''d better keep your word."
"I always do,"n replied, eyes narrowing.
Eleanor turned and walked out, her fists clenched, a wave of anger rising in her chest.
Outside, Laird was still waiting. When he saw Eleanore out, he hurried over. "All done with Mr. Goodwin?"
"We''re finished. You can go in." Eleanor''s voice was curt.
Laird nervously knocked and entered. "Mr. Goodwin, it''s time for the meeting."
"I know."n took a sip of tea, then stood and headed for the conference room.