Inside the café, Mansfield leaned toward Eleanor and asked quietly, "Should we avoid them? We can switch to ater flight, if you want."


    Eleanor had already checked the schedule-changing tickets would mean waiting until eleven. She wanted to arrive early to prepare, and since Mr. Windsor was also on this flight, there was really no one she needed to avoid.


    Once Eleanor sat down, Mansfield asked what she''d like to drink. She ordered a vanitte, and Mansfield went to the counter to ce their order.


    A few minutester, York emerged from another corner, phone pressed to his ear. Eleanor gave him a small wave; York pointed at his phone in response and headed off in the opposite direction.


    In the lounge, Henry and Vanessa were still sitting withn.


    Henry couldn''t help but wonder whyn hadn''t used his private jet this time. Why was he catching amercial flight like everyone else? It wasn''t as ifn didn''t have time to file a flight n.


    Unless he''d chosen to forgo the jet himself. Henry''s gaze lingered onn, remembering how he''d just seen Eleanor with that young man in the café. Suddenly, the pieces clicked into ce.


    But was that even possible?


    The truth was, it only took twenty minutes from the rooftop helipad at Goodwin & Co. Tower to the airport. Ian could have easily arrived in Kingston ahead of everyone else.


    "I''m going out for a smoke,"n said to Henry, then got up and left the lounge.


    Outside, through the ss wall,n''s eyes found Eleanor''s slender figure in the café. She was hunched over her phone, checking messages. Mansfield returned with two coffees, setting one gently in front of her.


    Eleanor took her cup, warming her hands around it as she smiled up at Mansfield.


    Mansfield loungedfortably across from her, chatting in an easy, rxed tone.


    Eleanor was scrolling through the meeting agenda, while Mansfield was still stewing a bit over running inton at the airport-and on the same flight, no less. As far as he knew,n''s private jet was always ready to go at a moment''s notice.


    "Did you and Dr. Windsor n to take this flight together?" Mansfield asked, curious.


    Eleanor hesitated briefly, then nodded. Mr. Windsor had indeed asked herst night which flight she was on, and she''d told him: the early morning one.


    Mansfield shot her a knowing look, as if the exnation finally made sense.


    In the smoking room,n leaned against a marble pir, the tip of his cigarette glowing in the dim light. The stale haze of someone else''s cigarette drifted over, making him frown. He took another drag, then stubbed it out and stepped back into the terminal.


    As he passed the café, Eleanor and Mansfield were still talking. The way Eleanor smiled up at Mansfield—bright and open—maden''s eyes narrow just a fraction.


    Sensing something, Eleanor nced to the side and, through the ss, caughtn''s gaze at the doorway. Her smile froze at the corners.


    Mansfield, sharp as ever, noticed the shift. He turned and metn''s eyes, giving him a polite nod.


    Eleanor and Mansfield boarded at thest call. In first ss, Henry and Vanessa sat together in one row, York andn in another.


    Eleanor settled into her seat, while Mansfield''s was a few rows behind. Mansfield turned to the well-dresseddy sitting next to Eleanor and, with his trademark charming smile, asked, "Excuse me, ma''am, would you mind swapping seats with me? My girlfriend tends to get a little airsick, and I''d like to sit with her."


    The woman looked Mansfield up and down-handsome, polite. She might not have wanted to move, but his warm, winning smile made it impossible to refuse. "Of course, no problem," she replied cheerfully.


    After switching, she nced at Eleanor, thinking to herself, What a perfect-looking couple.


    Mansfield''s little announcement echoed through the quiet first-ss cabin; everyone who needed to hear, heard it.


    Henry turned around in surprise, studying Mansfield for a few moments. Even now, he still had no idea who this "boyfriend” really was.