At first, Eleanor had been worried about him. But the more she watched


    Mansfield, the more obvious it became that he wasn''t truly in pain-he was putting on a show. She saw right through it.


    With a quiet sigh, she said, "Alright, that''s enough. Drop the act."


    Mansfield''s hand, which had been pressed melodramatically over his chest, froze mid-gesture. He looked up and offered a sheepish smile. "Caught me, did you?"


    "Sophia''s a good woman," Eleanor said bluntly. "Bright, outgoing, and aplished."


    Mansfield nodded, conceding the point. "She really is. It''s just—”


    He met Eleanor''s gaze, eyes suddenly thoughtful. Eleanor didn''t look away. "It''s obvious she cares about you," she said.


    "You''ve got it wrong," Mansfield replied, correcting her gently. "What she feels is just a bit of hero worship for her instructor, nothing more."


    Eleanor''s intuition disagreed. She smiled faintly. "I saw her just now, when she chased after you. The way she looked at you-it was pure concern."


    Mansfield nced at her, then asked abruptly, "What about you? Who''s on your mind these days?"


    Eleanor blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. She answered honestly, "Right now, it''s just my daughter and my work."


    The room fell quiet for a moment. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, warming the pale walls. Mansfield watched her for a while before finally speaking again. "I get it," he said softly.


    Then he smiled. "But don''t forget-you promised you''d have me over for cake on my birthday. No backing out." He paused, then added, “Just a friendly get- together."


    Eleanor looked up at him. "You once said that if you met the right person, you''d consider settling down."


    "And who says I''m not considering it?" Mansfield grinned, raising an eyebrow. "But don''t feel pressured. Treat me as a friend-that''s all I ask."


    Eleanor checked her watch. "You should rest. I''ve got to get going."


    Mansfield nodded, smiling. "Drive safe."


    A little whileter, Mrs. Ellington opened the door and stepped in, surprised to see Eleanor was already gone. "Eleanor''s left?"


    "She''s busy with work," Mansfield replied.


    Mrs. Ellington poured him a ss of water. "Mansfield, I can tell you''ve got feelings for Eleanor."


    He didn''t deny it. "I like her."


    "She''s a wonderful woman, and honestly, she''s a good match for you. Your uncle, your grandmother, your father-we''re all quite taken with her," Mrs. Ellington said candidly.


    Mansfield gazed out the window. Sunlight cast soft shadows across his sharp features. He let out a quiet sigh. "But you can''t force these things."


    Mrs. Ellington gave him a reassuring smile. "Give it time. Eleanor''se out of a rough marriage. She needs space, that''s all. There''s no rush."


    Mansfield''s smile brightened. "I know. I''m willing to wait for her."


    Seeing her nephew''s calm resolve, Mrs. Ellington felt reassured. He''d always


    been determined; when he set his mind to something, he usually found a way.


    ...


    Vaughn Group, 3 p.m. Xavier''s assistant led Gavin to the executive office.


    Inside, Xavier was in the middle of a meeting with several senior managers.


    "Excuse me, Mr. Vaughn. Sorry to interrupt-Mr. Goodwin asked me to return your suit," Gavin said, holding out a suit neatly wrapped in a dry-cleaning bag.