"Dad!" Mansfield called out in exasperation, but theughter in his eyes gave him away.


    “Alright, alright, I''ll stop." Garth let out a hearty chuckle. "Eleanor, there aren''t so many rules in our family. I''ll be away on business tomorrow, but I''ve asked Mansfield to bring you over for a visit-have a cup of tea, make yourself at home."


    "Dad, can we get back to business?" Mansfield interrupted, noticing how tense Eleanor looked in his father''s presence.


    "Yes, of course. Eleanor, I have a friend whose mother is battling leukemia. He heard you''re at Kingston and asked if you could look over her medical reports and offer some advice."


    Eleanor nodded. "Of course. I''ll stop by tomorrow to see your friend''s mother."


    "I heard that half your patients have already recovered-that''s incredible. My


    friend''s mother is on that new medication you developed, but he''d be very grateful if you could see her personally. If it''s not too much trouble, that is."


    "It''s no trouble at all. I have time tomorrow," Eleanor replied. She couldn''t refuse such a request anyway.


    "Mansfield, why don''t you show Eleanor to her room?" Garth nced at his watch, clearly about to take his leave.


    "Good night, Mr. Ellington," Eleanor said politely, escorting him to the door.


    "Just call me Mr. Ellington when it''s not so formal," Garth replied warmly as he turned back to look at her.


    "Alright, Mr. Ellington," Eleanor answered.


    Garth had always liked Eleanor''s character-gracious,posed, and quietly dignified. She was the kind of young woman who instantly won the approval of elders, someone destined for good fortune.


    He''d never asked Mansfield about Eleanor''s previous marriage. Between the demands of his career and Mansfield''s own silence on the subject, Garth had no idea that Eleanor andn had once been married.


    As soon as Garth left, Eleanor let out a quiet sigh of relief, finally able to rx.


    Mansfield couldn''t help but smile at the sight. He hadn''t expected Eleanor to be quite this nervous.


    "Sorry-did he scare you?" Mansfield offered apologetically.


    Eleanor didn''t deny it. "A little. Your dad is pretty intimidating. Standing in front of him, I couldn''t help but feel nervous."


    "You don''t have to be. You''re different in his eyes," Mansfield said, his voice low and warm.


    Eleanor understood exactly what he meant. But standing before her was the son of the Secretary of State-a rising star with a brilliant future ahead of him.


    He deserved someone who could give him her whole heart, like Sophia, who had visited him not long ago.


    For Eleanor, her daughter would alwayse first. Work was a close second. Even putting Mansfield in second ce felt unfair to him.


    Mansfield spoke gently, "It''s actually my father''s friend''s wife who''s ill. I''ll take you over to see her tomorrow."


    "Alright." Eleanor nodded.


    Mansfield looked at her, wanting to say so much more, but held back for now.


    He knew that asions like this were stressful for Eleanor. She wasn''t someone who cared for power or status, so he had to be mindful of what she could handle.


    "My dad he really does admire you. You''re one of the very few people he holds in such high regard,” Mansfield said, voice gentle and restrained. "Don''t let him intimidate you."


    Eleanor managed a small smile. "He seems strict, but he''s actually quite kind."


    The truth was, the Ellington family stood on a level Eleanor could only look up to from afar. It was a world she could never truly reach, no matter how hard she tried.


    She''d be content earning their respect through her work alone.


    "I''ll walk you to your room," Mansfield said, pressing the elevator button with effortless grace.


    Inside the elevator, they stood side by side inpanionable silence.


    Mansfield kept his gaze lowered, unhurried-he intended to pursue Eleanor in a way she could ept.


    He knew, deep down, that he hadn''t done enough for her yet.


    When the elevator doors slid open, Eleanor stepped out and turned back. "You should get some rest too."


    Mansfield smiled, lingering at the door with a wave. "You too-good night.”


    Tonight, the Ellington family''s special attention toward Eleanor had been impossible to miss. But in circles like this, too much favor could do more harm than good to her reputation.


    Eleanor turned and made her way to her room. Just as she rounded the corner of


    the hallway, she saw a tall figure leaning against the wall.<pn was there, arms folded, waiting for her. Who knew how long he''d been standing there?