It took a moment for the call to connect. Before the person on the other end could get a word out, Vanessa''s breathless voice broke through. “Ian, I''m about to faint. Help me the restroom."


    Eleanor had just returned to her seat when she sawn quickly stand up. At that moment, Mansfield handed her her phone, which was shing.


    She nced at the screen-Joslyn was calling. Without hesitation, Eleanor stepped out to the quiet hallway beside the hall and answered.


    "Mom, can I have a few cookies?" Evelyn''s small voice came through.


    Eleanor knew Joslyn would give her something to snack on, but Evelyn always asked her first anyway. Eleanor smiled. "Alright, but just two, okay?"


    "Okay, Mom! I love you!"


    As Eleanor ended the call, hurried footsteps sounded behind her. She turned to seen striding toward her from the direction of the restrooms, Vanessa cradled in his arms.


    Their eyes met. Vanessa, pale and fragile, clung to his shoulder, her slender arms wrapped around him as if she belonged nowhere else.


    For a moment,n''s entire body tensed; his breath caught as the three of them came face-to-face in the hallway.


    Vanessa cracked her eyelids open, and when she saw Eleanor, a triumphant little smile-one only Eleanor could see-curved at her lips. She nestled closer ton''s chest, her voice barely a whisper, n, I feel awful... so dizzy..."


    He looked as if he were carrying someone more precious to him than his own life.


    The air still lingered withn''s crisp cedar scent as Eleanor breathed in. To her, it was suddenly the most nauseating smell in the world. She covered her nose, turned, and walked back into the hall.


    Mansfield was waiting for her. "Is Evelyn alright?"


    "She''s fine-she just wanted an extra cookie." Eleanor gave a small smile.


    Mansfield grinned. "She''s adorable. Really."


    The rest of the evening passed withoutn returning; his seat remained empty until the very end.


    After the event, Mrs. Ellington stopped Eleanor and Mansfield by the door. "Mansfield, why don''t you drive Eleanor home?"


    "Mistress Ellington, I did bring my car tonight," Eleanor interjected.


    "I know, dear, but my nephew didn''t. Let him give you a ride," Mrs. Ellington insisted, smiling.


    It was true-Mansfield hadn''t driven himself; he usually took a car service.


    "Alright, I''ll be your chauffeur tonight," Mansfield said with a yful nod.


    Eleanor was about to protest, but Mansfield added, "Didn''t I tell youst time? An old friend of mine lives near you. I was nning to visit him anyway."


    Eleanor hesitated, remembering that a friend of his did live in her neighborhood. She nodded. "Alright, but let me drive."


    She was still concerned about his recent injury; she didn''t want him to strain himself.


    But Mansfield waved her off. "I''mpletely recovered. I can drive, really."


    He noticed how tired Eleanor looked and decided to let her rest.


    When the valet brought Eleanor''s car around, Mansfield opened the driver''s door and climbed in.


    On the way home, Mansfield noticed Eleanor had fallen quiet. He nced over, concern in his voice. "Work keeping you busy?"


    "It''s just been a lottely," she admitted.


    "My dad mentioned you''re leading that brainputer research project now. That''s incredible," Mansfield said, genuine admiration in his tone.


    Eleanor''s talents never failed to impress him.


    But to Mansfield, she still looked like someone delicate-someone who, despite her strength, always seemed to need a little extra protecting.