Seeing that he wasn''t leaving, Eleanor ignored him and turned to Xavier. Before she could speak, he offered a gentle smile. "I have a client to see. I''ll be leaving tomorrow."


    Eleanor nodded, a hint of apology in her voice. "Thank you foring all this way today. You should get to your work."


    "Don''t be a stranger," Xavier said, his eyes soft. "Get some rest. Don''t push yourself. Call me if you need anything."


    He, too, lingered, turning to Mansfield. "Major General Ellington, are you leaving?"


    "I''m taking Eleanor back to her hotel first," Mansfield stated tly.


    His words made both other men frown. Ian''s expression darkened. "I''m staying at the hotel across the street. I''ll walk her over."


    Gavin quickly interjected, "That''s right. Mr. Goodwin just checked in. He was about to go get his luggage."


    Now it was Eleanor''s turn to frown. She would rather walk back alone than be escorted byn.


    "Eleanor and I have something to discuss. Don''t trouble yourself," Mansfield said, effectively shuttingn down. He knew Eleanor wanted to avoid her ex-husband, and he wasn''t about to pass up an opportunity to help her do that.


    Xavier watched the exchange, a flicker of something akin to pity forn in his eyes. Though he was annoyed himself, it was the first time he had seenn so thoroughly rebuffed.


    Eleanor was exhausted, a dull throb starting at her temples, but she was keenly aware of the silent power struggle between the three men. She looked at each of them, her gaze finally settling on Mansfield. Her voice was gentle but firm. "None of you need to walk me back. The hotel is just across the street. Besides, I need to run to the store to pick up a few things for myself."


    Three pairs of eyes immediately fixed on her, all with the same spective thought. *Things for herself? Personal items that a man shouldn''t apany her to buy? Could it be...*


    A faint blush crept up Eleanor''s pale cheeks. She could read their minds and didn''t bother to correct them. "All of you should go," she said, then turned to Mansfield. "And Mansfield, thank you again foring today. The words were both a thank you and a polite dismissal.


    Mansfield knew better than to drain any more of her energy. Juggling the three of


    them was exhausting, and what she needed most was peace and quiet.


    "Alright. We''ll head out then," he said, then nced at the other two. "Shall we go down together?"


    Eleanor stepped into the elevator,


    and the three tall men followed, with Gavin awkwardly squeezing into a corner. He had never witnessed scene quite like this. Eleanor, he had to admit, was truly exceptional.


    An awkward silence filled the elevator. When the doors opened on the next floor, a group of nurses,ughing and chatting were waiting, They froze, stunned by the sight inside.n shot them a cold book. "Are you getting in?"


    "No, no, you go ahead!" one of them quickly replied.


    As the doors closed, they could hear a faint exmation from the hallway. "Oh my god, they''re all so handsome!"


    The three men exchangedplex nces. Eleanor, lost in her own thoughts, seemed oblivious to it all.


    At the hospital entrance, Xavier and Mansfield headed toward the parking lot. Gavin turned ton. "Mr. Goodwin, I''ll bring the car around to the hotel. Are you going to walk?"


    Eleanor crossed the hospital za and waited at the crosswalk. Just as Mansfield''s SUV pulled up to the street, he sawn step up beside her. He paused, his foot hovering over the elerator.