Eleanor had just slid into the back seat when her phone buzzed-Ellington''s


    name shed on the screen. She answered, "Hey, Ellington."


    "Ms. Sutton, you haven''t left yet, have you?" Ellington''s voice came through, tight


    with urgency.


    "I''m just outside."


    "Could


    youe back for a moment? There''s something urgent I need to discuss with you about the investment project."


    Eleanor nced at her watch. She was free that afternoon anyway. "Alright, I''ll head up now."


    "I''ll be in the small conference room on the eighth floor," he added.


    She retraced her steps into the lobby, ncing up at the second-floor balcony. Xavier and Henry were gone-probably left already, or maybe headed out for coffee together.


    As she rode the elevator up, Eleanor mulled over what could have prompted Ellington to call her back. Investments were usually his territory; after all, she was juggling not just the hotel group, but five otherpanies outside the hospitality industry. With the portfolio''s steady performers, there was always excess capital needing management.


    On the eighth floor, Ellington''s assistant nearly jogged over to greet her. "Ms. Sutton, you''re here this way, please."


    Eleanor nodded and followed her to the conference room. The assistant pushed open the door, and Eleanor immediately spotted a tall, lean figure lounging on the sleek leather sofa.


    The polite smile faded from Eleanor''s face, reced by a flicker of cold hostility in her eyes. What was he doing here?


    Ellington noticed her reaction and hurried over with an awkward smile. "Ms. Sutton, thanks foring."


    She shot him a sharp look. He knew how much she hated seeing this man—why would he set this up?


    Ellington looked a little embarrassed, but the gravity of the situation overrode his difort. He gestured to the seats. "Please, have a seat. I''ll exin everything in just a moment."


    Her annoyance didn''t escapen, who leaned forward, picked up his cup, and took a slow sip. His gaze was calm, almost indifferent, as he watched her.


    Eleanor had no choice but to sit down and see just what supposedly urgent matter Ellington wanted to discuss.


    "Well? I''m listening," she said.


    Ellington''s excitement was palpable as he began. "Ms. Sutton, you probably know that Mr. Goodwinunched Goodwin Biotech Group earlier this year. Right now, Mr. Goodwin is starting a new round of fundraising, and just now he offered us a ten percent stake." He added, almost breathless, "And he''s offering it to us unconditionally."


    Eleanor turned to the man on the sofa, her expression hard. "Unconditionally offering us ten percent?"


    Eleanor looked at Ellington. "Let''s talk outside."


    In the lounge next door, Ellington couldn''t contain his excitement. "Ms. Sutton, you know the ins and outs of Goodwin Biotech better than anyone. I''ve heard the clinical results for your new leukemia drug are phenomenal. The industry is buzzing about thispany-once it hits the market, the valuation could increase tenfold, maybe even a hundred times! It''s practically a guaranteed win. Investors are lining up, begging Mr. Goodwin for a chance to get in on this."


    Eleanor was well aware. Goodwin Biotech was the hottest name in pharmaceuticals right now, and their breakthrough leukemia drug had the world''s attention.


    "Ms. Sutton, you really can''t hesitate on this one," Ellington pressed, his voice almost pleading. He knew how icy things were between Eleanor andn since the divorce, but business was business.


    He kept ncing nervously toward the conference room, worried that Mr. Goodwin would lose patience and leave.


    Eleanor frowned. Ian''s offer was an irresistible temptation, no doubt-but she hated being tied to him or hispany, and she resented how tantly he was trying to maneuver her.


    "Ellington, I know things between Mr. Goodwin and me have been...plicated since the divorce. But-" She hesitated, biting her lip. "I''ll talk to him. Wait for me outside."


    "Of course." Ellington stopped himself from saying more; he knew better than to push her.


    Eleanor reentered the conference room. Ian was still there, his posture rxed, teacup poised like he was at some casual afternoon gathering, not a high-stakes negotiation.


    "Let''s drop the act. What''s your real agenda?" she said, cutting straight to the point.


    Eleanor didn''t buy it for a second. She knew all too well that withn, every seeming act of generosity came with a hidden catch. Six years of marriage had taught her more than the pain of betrayal-it had shown her just how calcting this man could be.