The meeting dragged on, and thoughn did his best to stay focused on the project updates, the faint sound of his suppressed coughs asionally broke the silence.


    Eleanor sat with her head down, jotting down key points, whenn suddenly addressed her, his voice hoarse. "Eleanor, do you have any suggestions regarding the safety testing protocol?"


    Caught off guard, Eleanor looked up, her gaze calm and unwavering. "Thepany could implement a three-tier security system. The details are on page fifteen of the report."


    The rest of the meeting proceeded without incident. Once it wrapped up, people began to file out. Byron lingered, ncing atn with concern. "Mr. Goodwin, are youing down with something?"


    "Got caught in the rain," Ian replied.


    "Did you see a doctor?"


    "I will, in a bit."


    Byron was momentarily taken aback. Mr. Goodwin''s work ethic was truly admirable attending the meeting while sick, and he hadn''t even stopped by the hospital yet.


    "Eleanor, do you have a moment? Could you take Mr. Goodwin to the hospital?" Byron asked, turning to her with hopeful eyes.


    Eleanor paused in the midst of gathering her things. She looked up and declined crisply, "I''m busy."


    She offered no further exnation.


    An awkward silence settled over the room. Byron cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed. "Ah, I see. Well, I''ll take Mr. Goodwin, then."


    With that, he left the room. Byron watched him go, then started to follow, but Eleanor''s voice stopped him. "VP Chase, in the future, unless it''s work-rted, please don''t involve me in other people''s personal matters."


    She gathered her files and walked out, leaving Byron sitting alone, his hands fidgeting nervously. Had he really overstepped?


    Back in the office, Faye ryed everything that had happened to Vanessa.


    "Mr. Goodwin was coughing pretty badly just now. He didn''t look well at all. You should keep an eye on him," Faye said.


    "Don''t worry. He''s not as fragile as you think," Vanessa replied.


    Faye figured Vanessa must known''s health pretty well. Surely a little cold wouldn''t put him out ofmission.


    "Eleanor was there too. I wonder if she''ll check in on himter," Faye added, a note of concern in her voice.


    Eleanor might have seemed indifferent during the meeting, but who knew what would happen in private? After all,n rarely showed this kind of vulnerability—it was the perfect opportunity for someone to win his heart.


    "Rx. Eleanor knows her ce," Vanessa replied, as nonchnt as ever.


    Faye let the subject drop. With Vanessa''s recent award, her reputation in the piano world had soared, eclipsing even some top celebrities. Her name was everywhere, from endorsements to entertainment news.


    Meanwhile, in Eleanor''s office, Gwenda came by to drop off some files. She couldn''t help but study Eleanor''s expression. Seeing her typing away at herputer, it was clear work hadn''t been disrupted in the slightest.


    "Eleanor, aren''t you even a little worried about Mr. Goodwin?" Gwenda asked, curiosity getting the better of her.


    Eleanor replied coolly, "First of all, he''s an adult. And second, why should I be worried about him?"


    Gwenda blinked, then decided Eleanor had a point. "Mr. Goodwin really is a workaholic, though. He''s sick, but still insisted oning to the meeting."