He told Eleanor directly.


    Of course, Eleanor had already heard the news from Ellington.


    "This is your business. I don''t want to know about it."


    "I just wanted you to understand my option trading isn''t for personal gain—"


    Eleanor rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed and unwilling to waste another second listening to him.


    She cut him off. "I''m not interested in anything you have to say."


    With that, Eleanor grabbed her bag and strode toward the door. The door rattled on its hinges as she mmed it behind her.


    Momentster, Gavin appeared in the doorway, having watched Eleanor leave. He stepped inside and nced atn, concern etched on his face. "Mr. Goodwin, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine."n replied curtly. He reached into a drawer and pulled out an envelope he''d been holding onto for the past two days. He handed it to Gavin. "Give this to Eleanor for me."


    Gavin nced down at the invitation in his hands. It was from the Drexford Global Medical Summit-the most prestigious conference in the field.


    He nodded and quickly hurried after Eleanor.


    Eleanor had barely reached the lobby when Gavin caught up. "Ms. Sutton, wait a moment."


    She turned as Gavin handed her the envelope. "Mr. Goodwin asked me to give this to you."


    Eleanor tore open the envelope, her eyes widening as she realized what it was— a formal invitation to the Drexford Global Medical Summit, scheduled for the following week.


    A rush of excitement ran through her. She knew exactly how much this summit meant; it was the highest honor in the medical world, and most researchers could only dream of setting foot inside.


    "Ms. Sutton, you''ll want to start preparing for your trip," Gavin said before turning to leave.


    Eleanor stood in the lobby, gripping the invitation tightly, her mind racing. Of course she wanted to go-this was the opportunity of a lifetime. But traveling to Drexford would mean being away for at least ten days, maybe more. What about her daughter?


    Just then, her phone chimed. It was a message fromn: I''ll take our daughter with me on a ski trip to Drexford while you''re at the conference.


    Eleanor''s breath caught in her throat.


    The opportunity was within reach, and her daughter would be cared for—


    At that moment, her phone rang. It was York. Eleanor picked up. "Hello, Mr. Windsor."


    "Eleanor, you''re not nning to miss the Drexford Summit, are you?"


    "Mr. Windsor, I—"


    "Eleanor, you must attend this summit. It''ll be invaluable for your future research."


    "I understand how important it is, Mr. Windsor."


    "Whatever obstacles you''re facing, you have to find a way. You can''t miss this." York''s voice was insistent, almost urgent.


    "Eleanor, this isn''t just about your research-it''s also about-" He broke off abruptly.


    Eleanor pressed, "Mr. Windsor, what else is it about?"


    "Just book your flight and go." York sighed, the tension in his voice unmistakable. "Don''t miss it."


    Eleanor made her decision on the spot. "Alright-I''ll book my ticket."


    She''d go. Withn nning to take their daughter on a ski trip to Drexford, it


    made sense. Her daughter hadn''t been abroad in two years, and if Eleanor could


    spend some time with her between sessions, all the better. As forning along-she could simply ignore him.