Xavier set down his fork and said, "It wasn''t just me. Someone else went too."


    "Oh?"n narrowed his eyes, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "Who?"


    "His name''s Mansfield. He works in the military district-a major general, actually." Despite Xavier''s calm tone, a trace of anxiety crept onto his face.


    It was onlyst night that Xavier had learned he wasn''t the only one pursuing Eleanor. Now, a formidable rival had appeared-one he knew nothing about.


    Xavier''s gaze sharpened. "You know him well?"


    He never imagined he''d one day be fishing for details about a rival in love fromn of all people.


    Xavier''s brow furrowed. "Who is his father?"


    Xavier''s ss of wine froze halfway to his lips. He frowned, running through the list of powerful Ellingtons in government, and then his head snapped up in sudden realization.


    Xavier remembered nown had once mentioned Eleanor had met with the Secretary of State in Kingston.


    "So that''s it." Xavier sipped his wine, trying-and failing to hide the turmoil inside him. He nced up, voice tight. "How long have Eleanor and Mansfield known each other?"


    Xavier drained thest of his wine, pressing his lips together in frustration.


    The blow hadnded hard. Xavier was reeling.


    He couldn''t deny that Mansfield was impressive—a brilliant, dazzling man with wless credentials. In fact, he outshone both Xavier and evenn in every way.


    With his family''s influence straddling both military and political spheres, Mansfield Ellington was on a level no businessman could ever hope to reach.


    To be appointed a major general at such a young age-his future was practically limitless.


    For the first time, as heir to a financial empire, Xavier felt just how powerless wealth could be in the face of true authority.


    Without a word,n refilled Xavier''s ss, then raised his own. "Let''s have a toast."


    Xavier clinked his ss againstn''s. For a moment, neither spoke—each lost in his own thoughts.


    When Henry walked in, he immediately sensed the tension hanging in the air.


    He nced fromn, who seemed calm as ever, to Xavier, who looked as though he''d just lost the will to live.


    Did Xavier just get dumped?


    Wait-were he and Eleanor ever actually together?