When Joel asked the question, what he really wanted to know was whether


    Eleanor would ever given another chance. Eleanor lowered her eyes, her voice calm but resolute. "That''s not going to happen."


    Joel exhaled in relief, but quickly furrowed his brow. Eleanor might be firm about never getting back together, but what aboutn? Lately, he''d been showing up at Meridian Dynamics far too often.


    "Does your hand still hurt?" Joel asked, genuinely concerned. After all, hitting someone took effort.


    Eleanor paused, instinctively ncing at her right hand. "It doesn''t hurt anymore." Though, right after she hit him, her hand had gone numb for a few minutes.


    "If you need any help, just let me know," Joel offered warmly.


    "Thanks, but I can handle my own affairs." Eleanor smiled.


    Back at the office, Faye was being consoled by her two assistants. Both of them were well aware that Faye''s sister, Vanessa, was set to marry the future CEO of Goodwin & Co. With Faye possibly bing Mr. Goodwin''s sister-inw, they naturally wanted to stay on her good side.


    "Faye, you really shouldn''t provoke Eleanor right now," one whispered.


    "Yeah! Even Mr. Goodwin has to ask for her help with the neural interface project!" the other chimed in.


    "Ask for her help? You make it sound like Meridian Dynamics would fall apart without her," Faye retorted, rubbing her wrist where Joel had grabbed her earlier, clearly annoyed.


    "Well, there''s you and Dr. Kingsley too, of course!" one assistant added hastily. Faye waved them off. "Get back to work. I''m fine."


    The two exchanged nces and left. Faye let out a long sigh, then picked up her phone and dialed Vanessa. She was determined to report that Eleanor had hitn.


    "Are you serious?" Vanessa sounded incredulous on the other end.


    "I saw it with my own eyes. But the real shocker was Mr. Goodwin''s reaction-he didn''t fight back at all. He didn''t even seem angry," Faye replied.


    Vanessa was quiet for a few seconds, her voice turning cold. "Ian''s a father. There''s no way he''dy a hand on the mother of his child. That''s not who he is. I heard Evelyn''s been sick and missed school. Mayben feels guilty about that."


    Faye hesitated. Vanessa made sense, but Eleanor''s behavior had been outrageous.


    "You should make sure tofort Mr. Goodwin," Faye said, seizing the opportunity. "He must be really hurt right now." After all,n was at his most vulnerable—and that was Vanessa''s best chance to win his heart.


    Vanessa promised she would, then hung up. Faye, thinking about how Joel had been so rough with her just to protect Eleanor, felt a pang of hurt herself.


    But she knew, no matter how much Joel shielded Eleanor, she only saw him as a colleague and a friend-she''d never marry him. For a moment, Faye couldn''t help but feel a twinge of pity for Joel.


    Meanwhile, in her office, Eleanor sifted through project files. York Windsor had sent her the oldb reports under the pretense of corporate coboration. Pushing aside her emotions, Eleanor focused intently on the data.


    It wasn''t until nearly half past four that she slung herptop bag over her shoulder and headed out. Joel was waiting at the door. "I''ll walk you out," he said.


    Eleanor nodded. The two of them headed to the elevator together, chatting about some of the project''s theoretical points.


    As they passed through the lobby, several pairs of eyes lingered on Eleanor. After all, news that she''d ppedn had spread like wildfire through every corner of Meridian Dynamics.


    A woman who couldnd a p on the CEO''s cheek-especially his ex-wife-was something out of the ordinary.


    Whenever Eleanor met someone''s gaze, she held it for a few seconds, unflinching, until the other person looked away in embarrassment. Over the past two years, she''d changed. There was a quiet force about her now, an aura that demanded respect.


    Outside, Eleanor said goodbye to Joel. As she started her car, a ck security SUV slipped in behind her, tailing her as she drove away. Joel watched the scene, reassured, before heading to his own car.


    When Eleanor arrived at the school, she spotted a silver Bentley parked at the entrance-Xavier Vaughn''s car. Remembering his recent injury, Eleanor stepped out and walked over.


    Xavier saw her approach and got out as well, greeting her with a warm smile. "You made it."


    "How''s your hand?" Eleanor asked, concern in her voice.


    "Much better. Other than not being able to lift anything heavy for a while, it''s not affecting my life," Xavier replied.


    Eleanor''s eyes shone with gratitude. After all, Xavier had saved her twice. She''d never forget it.


    Suddenly, Xavier''s tone dropped. "Eleanor, do you have any ns this Saturday?"


    Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she nodded. "No work this weekend. Did you need something?"


    "It''s the thirtieth anniversary g for my family''spany. I''d like you toe," Xavier said. Sensing she might refuse, he quickly added, "And I hope you''ll bring Evelyn along-Vivian would love to have her there."


    Eleanor froze, caught off guard by the invitation.


    Xavier''s expectant gaze told her just how much her presence meant to him.


    She was acutely aware of how others might see it, and she''d always intended to keep things with Xavier strictly tonic. But then, she''d already said she was free, and after he''d just saved her, turning him down now would be hurtful.


    Xavier seemed to sense her hesitation, but he didn''t withdraw his invitation. He wanted Eleanor to step forward, even if he had the patience of a hunter—he still hoped for a sign.


    Meeting his hopeful eyes, Eleanor finally nodded. "Alright. I''ll bring Evelyn with


    me."


    A spark lit in Xavier''s eyes. "Great. I''m sure Evelyn will have a wonderful time."


    Later, when they picked up the kids, Xavier extended a formal invitation to Evelyn. "Evelyn, there''s a party at my house this Saturday. Vivian will be there too. Would you like toe?"


    "Really?" Evelyn''s eyes lit up at the mention of a party.


    Vivian grabbed her hand. "Let''s go together, Evelyn!"


    "Okay!" Evelyn beamed.


    Eleanor took Evelyn home, where she yed with Wiz while Joslyn busied herself with dinner in the kitchen.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang. It was Ellington calling.