Eleanor did her best to ignore the man''s overwhelming presence. Though there was a small distance between them, the air around him felt strangely thin, charged with a silent, powerful tension that emanated from him. She frowned and picked up the program brochure from the table in front of her, pretending to read


    it.


    The ceremony soon began with a speech from the university president, who then offered a special, heartfelt thanks to one man in particr: Ian. He announced thatn would be donating a new state-of-the-artboratory building to Ashford Medical University.


    As the president finished his words of gratitude,n rose from his seat with a modest smile, and the auditorium erupted in thunderous apuse.


    Next came speeches from distinguished alumni and student representatives, the program proceeding one item at a time. Eleanor sat ramrod straight, her gaze fixed on the stage, deliberately ignoring the formidable presence beside her.


    Soon, Dr. Lyman Brown took the stage. He spoke emotionally about Ashford''s illustrious sixty-year history, giving special mention to the researchers who had graduated from the university and gone on to make groundbreaking achievements. When Eleanor heard her father''s name, her eyes welled up with a gentle warmth. A momentter, her own name and research aplishments were mentioned among the younger generation of schrs, and she smiled, nodding in acknowledgment to Dr. Brown on stage.


    When the lunch break was announced, Eleanor shot up from her seat as if escaping someone who made her deeply ufortable. Ian watched her retreating figure, his expression calm, his fingertips tapping twice on the armrest.


    Eleanor went to the restroom first. On her way back, she stopped to speak with Joel. Not far away, Gavin Young stood besiden, quietly briefing him on a work matter. Ian listened with narrowed eyes, his gaze once again sweeping in Eleanor''s direction.


    The ambient noise forced Joel and Eleanor to stand close together. He leaned in, listening intently to what she was saying, his expression gentle and focused.


    The afternoon session began, and Eleanor returned to her seat just in time, still carrying the lightheartedness of her conversation with Joel. Ian noticed it, nced at her, then looked away with aplex expression.


    Next was the alumni donation segment. When the host announcedn''s name and the astronomical sum he had pledged, gasps rippled through the audience, followed by a wave of enthusiastic apuse.


    themselves, some bold and others shy, all stealing nces at the man on stage.


    Eleanor watched the brilliant man with a calm expression. Whatever else she felt


    about him, his donation was undeniably worthy of the apuse it received.


    After a brief eptance speech,n returned to his seat.


    The rest of the afternoon was scheduled for alumni panels and other events. Eleanor decided she would have lunch with Joel and then head back to theb. As she was leaving however Dr. Lyman Brown pulted her aside to introduce her to several university leaders?n was there, too, and they were all drawn into a few minutes of pleasantries before she could finally excuse herself.


    Just as she turned to leave,n''s voice stopped her. "I''ve booked a table at a restaurant. We should have Joel join us for a meal."


    Eleanor was about to refuse when he added, "Joel has already agreed."


    She paused, and at that moment, Joel walked over. "Mr. Goodwin, Eleanor." "Joel, I''ll get going then," Eleanor said, hoping to excuse herself from their lunch. "Eleanor, why don''t you join us?" Joel interjected. "There are a few critical and sensitive aspects of the project I''d like your input on, to ensure both safety and feasibility."


    Eleanor understood immediately. This was a working lunch.