She quickly typed back, "Don''t tell me you''re back!"
The message had barely been sent, and before a reply coulde, the distinct sound of footsteps echoed from the elevator hall again-steady, rhythmic, and powerful, the unmistakable cadence of a military officer.
They grew closer.
Eleanor instinctively looked up.
A tall, imposing figure was striding toward the operating room. He was dressed in
a crisp, dark green military uniform, the insignia on his shoulders glinting under the lights. It was Mansfield.
He was really here.
Eleanor was so surprised she shot to her feet and walked toward him.
Faye''s eyes widened in astonishment when she saw Mansfield. She had only ever seen this powerful man from a distance; she never imagined he would show up here. Laura didn''t know who he was, but she couldn''t help staring, though she quickly lowered her gaze after a few moments. The man was like the sun-so brilliant he was hard to look at directly.
"What are you doing back?" Eleanor asked in a hushed, surprised tone.
"Official business," Mansfield replied, his voice equally low. "I came to see your mentor while I was here."
Eleanor looked at him doubtfully. Was it really just official business?
Mansfield''s gaze swept over her face, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. "How is she?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Still in surgery," Eleanor said, turning her head to look at the illuminated sign above the operating room door. "It''s aplex procedure, so it''s going to take some time."
"I''ll wait with you until it''s over," Mansfield said.
Eleanor studied his expression. "Shouldn''t you go home and get some rest?"
He shook his head, his eyes firm. "I''m staying with you."
Seeing his resolve, Eleanor led him back to the waiting area, and he sat down naturally beside her.
Laura couldn''t help but ask Eleanor in a whisper, "Ellie, who is this?"
"He''s a friend of mine," Eleanor exined quietly. "Major General Ellington."
Laura''s eyes widened in shock. My god, a major general this young? She nced at Mansfield with a mixture of awe and admiration.
Faye, too, turned her head and met Mansfield''s eyes for a fleeting moment. She offered a small smile and a nod. Mansfield, assuming that everyone waiting was an important rtive of Eleanor''s mentor, returned the gesture with a polite nod of his own.
Faye''s heart skipped a beat. Seeing Mansfield up close, she was even more struck by his extraordinary presence. His uniform and the
dignited aura he exuded we
credibly captivating. Laura''s heart was also racing, but she was more curious about his rtionship with Eleanor. She couldn''t help but wonder if Eleanor had such an
impressive suitor.
Faye stole another nce at
Mansfield, only to find his gaze fixed intently on Eleanor''s face, a look
concern and care etched in his
expression A bitter feeling
rose in
Paye''s chest. It seemed Eleanor was never short of exceptional men in her life.
The title of major general was staggering. To rise to such a high rank at his age meant he either had powerful connections or exceptional abilities of his own.
Either way, it proved he was an outstanding man.
The light above the operating room
door remained on as everyone
ет
waited patiently. Time ticked by, minute by minute. Mansfield didn''t interrupt Eleanor often, only asionally leaning over to ask in a low voice if she needed water or wanted to rest. His attentiveness was considerate without being overbearing.
Faye found it puzzling. What exactly was their rtionship? If they were just friends, Mansfield''s gaze was far from tonic. But if they were a couple, there was a noticeable distance between them.
Faye went to the restroom. On her way back, she saw Mansfield on the phone on
a balcony farther down the hall. He stood ramrod straight, and even from a distance, she could feel themanding presence of a military leader in the way he spoke.