Faye couldn''t help but steal a few extra nces. If she ever met a man of his caliber and status, she certainly wouldn''t hesitate. But her social circle was nowhere near that level. Eleanor, on the other hand, had it easy. Her father''s extensivework in academia, both at home and abroad, gave her advantages Faye could only dream of. Having a renowned academic for a father made all the difference.


    Time stretched on. Finally, it was nearly one in the afternoon. No one had had any appetite for lunch, and their energy was draining away. Eleanor had been running on fumes since she got the callst night, barely eating or sleeping. The constant worry had taken its toll. As she stood up to get a ss of water, a wave of dizziness washed over her.


    The world spun, and darkness clouded her vision. Her body swayed uncontrobly.


    In that instant, a strong hand swiftly and securely wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a protective embrace and supporting her as she faltered.


    "What''s wrong?" Mansfield asked, his voice filled with concern.


    "It''s nothing, probably just low blood sugar," Eleanor mumbled, steadying herself. She looked up at him gratefully. If he hadn''t caught her, she would have fallen.


    Mansfield looked down at her pale face, his arm held firmly around her, showing no intention of letting go.


    "Ellie, I have some candy! Here, take one," Laura said, rushing over.


    Eleanor took it and put it in her mouth as Laura hurried off to get her some water.


    Faye watched the scene unfold. She quickly took out her phone and recorded a minute-long video before pretending to step forward with concern. "Eleanor, are you okay?"


    Eleanor was practically enveloped in Mansfield''s arms. The protective gesture filled Faye with a surge of envy.


    After a sip of water, Eleanor felt her strength returning. Realizing how closely Mansfield was holding her, she instinctively straightened up. "Mansfield, I''m fine now. Thank you."


    He helped her back to her seat. "Stay here and rest," he said in a low, firm voice. "I''m going to get you some chocte and something to eat."


    Before she could object, he was already gone.


    Ten minutester, Mansfield returned from the hospital convenience store with bread and water distributing them to everyone there so they could keep their strength up. Faye received her share and smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, Major General Ellington."


    After handing out the food to the others, Mansfield immediately went back to Eleanor. He unwrapped a piece of chocte and held it out for her. Eleanor looked at him with gratitude and epted it without protest. After she finished the chocte, ke gently coaxed her to eat some bread. "Come on, just half is fine."


    His tone was like he was talking to a child. Faye watched from the side, scoffing internally. Was Eleanor being deliberately dramatic, needing to be coddled just to eat? Was she really that delicate?


    It wasn''t that Eleanor was being difficult; Mansfield was just incredibly persuasive. She had only shaken her head slightly, and he had immediately switched to a gentle, coaxing tone.


    Eleanor''s face flushed with embarrassment. She took the bread and began to eat, and only then did Mansfield look satisfied as he handed her a bottle of water.


    Laura watched them with an envious smile. Mansfield had to be Eleanor''s boyfriend. She never would have guessed her long-distance boyfriend was so handsome.


    Every time Faye nced over, she saw Mansfield looking at Eleanor with a mixture of heartache and concern-an intense emotion that anyone could see. Why? Why did Eleanor get everything so easily?


    Faye picked up her phone and sent the video she had just recorded to Vanessa Shannon. "Here''s a chance for Mr. Goodwin to see this. Maybe it will help him finally give up on Eleanor."