The banquet had reached its midpoint when Eleanor nced at her silenced phone, which she had left on the table. A new message had arrived.
She skimmed it quickly-it was from Mansfield: *"My father thinks very highly of you."*
Looking up, Eleanor met Mansfield''s gaze across the table. He was smiling, clearly aware that she''d read his message.
Flustered by the warmth in his eyes, Eleanor quickly looked away. Mansfield''s open admiration left her a little at a loss.
Garth, the host, shifted the conversation to the future of medicine and technology, inviting everyone to share their thoughts. Several guests offered opinions, including Eleanor andn, and Garth seemed genuinely pleased with the discussion.
At one point, Eleanor excused herself to visit the restroom. On her way back, passing through a quiet hallway, she noticed someone standing on the terrace and instinctively nced over.
Out on the terrace, the night wind carried a bite of winter cold. Ian stood there, lighting a cigarette; the ember flickered in the shadows as he exhaled. His gaze met Eleanor''s head-on.
He watched her, his calm eyes edged with something almost predatory.
Tonight, Eleanor wore an understated dress with a subtle elegance, as if she''d stepped out of an old oil painting-a look that lingered in the mind after a single nce.
Only their group remained in the restaurant now, making the space feel especially quiet.
Eleanor didn''t linger. She turned and walked back toward the dining room.
He seemed the most at ease of anyone here, ying the part of the young host.
Servers brought out a selection of pastries and tea. Mansfield took Eleanor''s cup from her hands and filled it a third of the way. "Try this-see if you like it," he said, offering the cup back with a smile.
After a moment, Mansfield got up to pour tea for the other professors. He really did seem to be helping his father tonight.
In truth, Mansfield wasn''t the official host, but he''d volunteered to assist. Garth knew what his son was thinking, so he let him stay.
Eleanor grew irritated byn''s unrelenting stare. She shot him a warning look, her brow drawn in silent rebuke.
The evening slipped by almost unnoticed; by now, they''d been there for two hours. At eight-thirty, Garth''s assistant came over with a quiet reminder. Garth, a touch reluctant to end things, stood and said, “It''s gettingte, and I''ve truly enjoyed our conversation tonight-so many insights about the future of medicine and technology. Let''s call it a night, and I hope everyone gets some well-deserved rest."
As guests began to rise and say their goodbyes, Eleanor picked up her purse and was about to leave when Garth''s assistant hurried over. "Dr. Sutton, would you mind staying a moment? Mr. Ellington would like a word with you."
Eleanor paused, then nodded politely and waited.
She watched as Garth shookn''s hand, exchanging a few final words. Over Garth''s shoulder,n sent a brief, unreadable look in Eleanor''s direction.
After the handshake,n turned and left.
Garth, with Mansfield in tow, approached Eleanor warmly. "I''m sorry we didn''t have more time tonight, Eleanor. I hope you''ll forgive any shorings in our hospitality."
"Dad, maybe just get to the point," Mansfield interjected, worried his father might overwhelm Eleanor.
Eleanor was already a little dazed from the Secretary''s praise earlier; she hadn''t expected such attention.
Garthughed heartily. "You always cut straight to it, son."
Out in the hallway,n overheard, his brow furrowing as he paused mid-step. His expression was unreadable, lips pressed tight before he gave a self-mocking smile and walked away.
"Eleanor, Mansfield''s always known his own mind," Garth said, his tone gentle and proud. "He''s mentioned you to me more than once said you''re the most remarkable woman he''s ever met."
Despite her best efforts to remainposed, Eleanor could feel a flush creeping up her neck. She hadn''t expected Mansfield to speak of her to his father.