Eleanor stopped in her tracks, turning to facen directly. Her gaze was steady, her voice frosty. "Don''t even think about it."


    Under the harsh hallway lights, Eleanor''s pale face betrayed her recent sleepless nights.


    Whatever his reasons for saying what he just did, Eleanor had no intention of indulging him.


    "My life is none of your business." With that, Eleanor turned to leave.


    Her steps faltered. She understood exactly what he meant, but she didn''t turn. Herugh was cold. "My rtionship with Mansfield Ellington is none of your concern."


    "I''m just trying to help," Ian lifted an eyebrow.


    Eleanor didn''t bother to exin. Ian''s self-righteous probing into her personal life -using any excuse to try and pry Evelyn from her was beyond infuriating.


    Still, she took a deep breath, refusing to let him see how much he''d gotten under her skin. She spun around. "Ian, we ended a long time ago. My life, my choices- none of it concerns you now. Stop using Evelyn to test my limits. All it does is make me hate you more."


    She didn''t wait for a response, striding away.


    She hadn''t shouted, but the icy calm in her voice left no doubt about her resolve.


    "Yes?"


    "Mr. Goodwin, we''ve found Dr. Windsor. He''s agreed to meet."


    After hanging up,n didn''t return to the conference room. Instead, as he passed Eleanor''s office, he paused at her door.


    Eleanor had just sat down when she looked up to seen''s silhouette blocking half the doorway. He stood with the light behind him, his expression as inscrutable and arrogant as ever.


    Neither spoke. Their eyes met-hers burning with resentment, his clouded and unreadable.


    In the quiet afternoon, they stared each other down untiln finally broke the silence. "I don''t deny the pain I''ve caused you. I''m trying to face my mistakes."


    Eleanor was momentarily surprised. She''d never expected someone as proud asn to say such things. Still, she had no patience for his confessions.


    Something darkened inn''s eyes. He was about to respond when his phone rang again. He shot a nce at the caller ID, his frown deepening.


    Eleanor stood up, gesturing toward the door. "Leave. Don''t waste my time."


    Before he could finish, Eleanor mmed her files down on the desk, anger finally breaking through herposure. "Enough,n! If you have even a shred of decency left, stay away from my life."


    Whatever flicker of remorse had been inn''s eyes vanished, reced by his usual cold detachment.


    He straightened his suit cuffs, his voice t, devoid of emotion. "Fine. As you wish. Unless absolutely necessary, I won''t appear before you again."


    He turned to go, then paused, ncing over his shoulder. "But regarding the new drug trial—if the results don''t meet my expectations, you''re not leaving myb."


    Eleanor''s breath caught in her throat. She watched his retreating figure, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.


    Later, Simone stopped by, concern etched on her face. It was obvious to anyone that Eleanor hadn''t been herselftely.


    "Professor Langley, are you alright? You seem exhausted."


    "I''m fine, just a bit tired."


    "The new drug''s clinical results are promising. We''re not quite where we want to be yet, but every patient responds differently. Three early-stage cases have already made full recoveries-that''s nothing short of a miracle."


    Eleanor nodded, steadying herself. No matter what, she would never let her work


    slip. Not because ofn, but because of her own sense of duty.


    "Tell you what, take a three-day break. Get some rest before youe back," Simone said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.


    Eleanor nodded again. Her nerves had been stretched thin for too long.


    After work, Eleanor went to pick up her daughter. As she stepped out of her car, another figure emerged from a nearby sedan-dressed in a deep blue suit, as if he''d just rushed over straight from the office.


    It was Xavier.


    The very day he returned to town, Xavier made a point toe pick up Vivian. The reason was obvious: he wanted to see Eleanor.


    There was no better excuse for an encounter than a chance meeting at school.


    Eleanor was momentarily taken aback at the sight of him. Xavier smiled and approached, "How''s work beentely?"


    She smiled back, "Not bad. How about you? Was the business trip smooth?" He nodded, "It went well."


    She nced toward the school gate. "You''re early. There''s still ten minutes before dismissal."


    Xavier''s eyes lingered on her face. "Have you thought about what you''ll do next?" Eleanor shook her head. "My current project isn''t finished yet. I''m not making any ns for now."


    "Isn the reason you can''t leave?" Xavier asked, his tone cautious.


    The smile faded from Eleanor''s lips. "Whether I stay or go, it''s my decision. It has nothing to do with him."


    Xavier looked momentarily taken aback. He didn''t press the matter. For a moment, the air between them was quiet, and Xavier found himself scrambling for conversation, his nerves always getting the better of him around Eleanor.