"The Secretary of State is reportedly paying close attention to the drug trials and


    had a warm conversation with the lead researcher, Eleanor."


    The news anchor''s voice echoed through Goodwin Manor.


    Magdalen thought she must have misheard. Delighted, she turned to her grandson. "Ian, did I just hear Eleanor''s name on the news?"


    Mansfield''s grandmother, Mildred, was visibly excited. "Eleanor''s really going ces! Even the Secretary of State visited her work in person. That''s something, truly something!"


    Gina, who had been chatting with the housekeeper, overheard and paused mid- sentence, sighing quietly to herself.


    Snapping back,n gave her a gentle smile. "Daddy just needs to make a quick phone call, then I''lle right back and y."


    He picked up his phone and dialed a number. On the other end, someone answered and told him privately: the Secretary of State had spent more than fifteen minutes alone with Eleanor.


    Three dayster.


    Eleanor received her new assignment from Simone, wrapped up her current work, and began packing her bags.


    The original n was to stay only ten days, but in the end, Eleanor ended up leading the project for fifteen.


    She was eager to return to Ashford City-her heart was there, with the people who mattered most. And with the new school year beginning for her daughter in just a couple of days, she couldn''t bear to miss it.


    While waiting at Kingston International Airport, Eleanor''s phone buzzed. It was a message from Xavier, asking about tomorrow''s first day of school.


    "I''m about to board now. I should make it back today," Eleanor replied.


    "Great!" Xavier didn''t ask anything else.


    The moment she settled into her seat on the ne, exhaustion hit her. Fifteen days of nonstop work had left her utterly drained, and she fell asleep almost instantly.


    Two hourster, the ne touched down at Ashford City International Airport. Eleanor wheeled her suitcase through the arrivals hall, weaving her way through the bustling crowd, her eyes on her phone as she opened a rideshare app. That''s when she heard a deep, warm voice nearby. "Looking for a ride?"


    Startled, Eleanor looked up-and stopped in her tracks.


    Xavier was standing there, just a few steps away, smiling softly at her.


    "You-what are you doing here?" Eleanor asked in surprise.


    "Of course I came to pick you up," Xavier replied, reaching out naturally to take her suitcase.


    Eleanor blinked, still processing the surprise. She hadn''t expected Xavier toe without telling her.


    "Come on," Xavier said, nodding toward the exit.


    Though she didn''t want to trouble him, he was already here. So Eleanor smiled graciously. "Thank you. Next time, dinner''s on me."


    "By my count, you owe me two dinners now," Xavier teased, a grin tugging at his lips.


    Eleanor paused, remembering she''d promised him a meal after he helped her buy


    a car nearly a month ago-something she still hadn''t made good on. She felt a pang of guilt.


    "Deal. I''ll make sure it happens," Eleanor said,ughing.


    The two of them walked side by side out of the airport. Neither noticed that, in the crowd behind them, someone was making a call.


    "Did you get her?"n''s voice came through on the other end.


    "Miss Suttonnded, but―" Gavin Young hesitated before telling the truth, "Mr. Vaughn just picked her up."


    There was a pause on the line. "Understood. You can head back,"n said quietly.