Just then, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a message: Byron had forwarded details about a tech summit that Ashford University was hosting the following Monday.


    Opening Byron''s message, Eleanor read the details carefully. It was a high-level forum on artificial intelligence, and Meridian Dynamics-herpany-was one of the main sponsors, sending a team of top engineers.


    Her name was on the attendee list.


    "What''s up?" Joy noticed Eleanor staring at her phone, lost in thought, and couldn''t help but ask.


    "There''s a tech summit next Monday. Thepany wants me to go," Eleanor replied, slipping her phone back into her bag.


    "I''m so jealous," Joy said, her face alight with admiration. "You get to attend all these exclusive events. Must be an amazing experience."


    ***


    Monday came in a sh. Eleanor left home early and headed straight to the summit venue. At the entrance, she gave her name to the staff, who handed her a name badge: Eleanor Sutton, Chief Researcher, Meridian Dynamics.


    "Dr. Sutton, right this way," said the staff member, ushering her to a seat in the second row.


    A momentter, someone approached-tall, familiar. The staff member''s eyes lit up. "Mr. Vaughn, your seat is "


    "Would it be possible for me to sit with Dr. Sutton?" Xavier asked.


    "Absolutely," the staffer replied, rearranging the seating so Xavier could take the seat beside Eleanor.


    "How''s Vivian doing? Any better?" Eleanor asked as he settled in.


    "She still has a rash—still using the cream and keeping to her restricted diet," Xavier said gratefully.


    At that moment,n entered with Byron''s team. The staff guidedn to the VIP seats in the front row; as he passed, he nodded to Xavier before taking the seat just ahead of Eleanor and Xavier.


    Eleanor had dressed a bit lightly that morning, not expecting the air conditioning inside to be sting even colder than the chilly day outside. As luck would have it, her seat was directly under the vent.


    "Are you cold?" Xavier noticed her hugging her arms tightly.


    Eleanor managed a smile and shook her head. "I''m fine." But as soon as she said it, she sneezed.


    She quickly covered her mouth, cheeks flushed. With the room now full and everyone seated, switching seats wasn''t really an option. Two hours in that draft, she was bound to catch a cold.


    Without a word, Xavier slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Startled, Eleanor turned to protest, trying to give the jacket back to him.


    Up ahead,n was flipping through the conference materials. Hearing a slightmotion behind him, he nced back just in time to see Xavier settling his jacket around Eleanor''s shoulders.


    "Keep it on. You''ll catch a cold," Xavier said kindly.


    "But you''re not dressed that warmly either-" Eleanor protested, not wanting him to freeze.


    "Don''t be stubborn. Your hands are like ice," Xavier insisted, gently holding her hands. "If you get sick, who''s going to look after Evelyn?"


    That argument hit home, bringing a small, grateful smile to Eleanor''s lips. For a moment, she forgot to resist.


    "Thank you."


    Their exchange was quiet, but not quiet enough;n''s jaw tightened ever so slightly as he gripped his phone and sent off a text.


    Just then, the first speaker-a robotics engineer-took the stage and the lights dimmed.


    Five minutester, a female staffer hurried over, carrying a neatly folded nket. She stopped in front of Eleanor and bent down.


    "Dr. Sutton, the conference team has prepared a nket for you," she said.


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. She had been worrying that Xavier might get cold himself. She took the nket gratefully, and as soon as the staffer walked away, she handed the suit jacket back to Xavier. "Here, you wear it. I don''t want you catching cold either."


    Xavier epted it, ncing instinctively toward the front row atn.


    The nket was thick and freshlyundered. As Eleanor wrapped herself in it, warmth seeped back into her limbs, and she leaned back, finally able to focus on the lecture.


    Xavier slipped his jacket on again, but his thoughts were no longer on the summit. After an hour, the talk ended and the lights came up for the coffee break.


    "I''ll get you something hot," Xavier said gently. "Red tea or coffee?"


    "Red tea, thank you," Eleanor replied, not wanting to refuse.


    Ahead of them, Byron fetched a coffee forn, then turned and asked Eleanor, "What can I get you, Eleanor?"


    "It''s all right, someone''s already getting me something," she answered with a smile.


    At that moment, Xavier returned with a cup of tea and handed it to her. Byron caught on instantly, ncing atn for a reaction. Ian sipped his coffee, longshes shadowing his eyes, his expression unreadable.


    When the break ended, the conference resumed, running until half past eleven.


    "I''ve booked a table at a restaurant nearby. Join me for lunch?" Xavier asked as Eleanor stood to stretch.


    She smiled warmly. "That sounds great! My treat."


    Her easy, gracious reply made Xavier''s mood skyrocket. "Deal. Let''s go."


    They left together, chatting as they walked out. Byron came over ton. "Mr. Goodwin, the restaurant''s ready." Then, noticing Eleanor''s empty seat, he frowned. "Wait, where''s Eleanor?"


    "She already haspany,"n answered coolly. "And the afternoon session starts at one. Make sure everyone''s back on time."


    Byron blinked, then quickly caught on.