"Well, perhaps another time," Simone said with a nod.


    Just then, Laura peeked into the room. "Professor Langley, Mr. Goodwin is here to


    see you."


    Simone smiled. "Please, show him in."


    A momentter,n entered. He was wearing a dark gray suit today, which softened his usual intense and intimidating presence, making him seem more approachable.


    "Professor Langley, are you feeling any better?" he asked, walking to her bedside with concern in his voice.


    "Much better, thank you for asking," Simone replied with a warm smile.


    "You''re a cornerstone of ourb. We''re all hoping for your speedy recovery,"n said.


    Simone''s eyes brightened. "It was very kind of you to make a special trip to Kingston."


    "It was no trouble at all. It''s the least I could do,"n said, his gaze shifting to Eleanor, who was standing by the bed.


    At that moment, Eleanor stood up. "Professor Langley, I''m going to find your doctor and get an update on your condition."


    "Of course, dear. Go ahead," Simone nodded.


    After Eleanor left,n excused himself shortly after and followed, heading in the direction of the doctors'' offices.


    He found Eleanor speaking with Dr. Lyman. Whenn walked in, the doctor assumed he was also family and looked at him seriously as he continued his exnation of Simone''s condition.


    He leaned quietly against the desk, and Dr. Lyman made sure to include him in the conversation.


    "We understand. Thank you, Dr. Lyman," Eleanor said gratefully.


    "Of course," the doctor smiled. "That young man, Mr. Mansfield, has also asked


    me several times to take special care of Professor Langley."


    Dr. Lyman''s knowing nce made Eleanor''s cheeks flush. He clearly misunderstood her rtionship with Mansfield.


    "Rest assured, Mr. Goodwin. It''s my duty," the doctor replied politely.


    They left the office one after the other. In the hallway, Eleanor instinctively quickened her pace to create some distance between them.


    "Eleanor, take care of yourself, too, not just Professor Langley," Ian''s steady, emotionless voice came from behind her.


    She pretended not to hear and


    walked faster. A


    short whileter dan


    returned to say goodbye to Simone


    he had a flight back to Ashford City


    to catch.


    As he stepped out of the room, he saw Mansfield talking with Eleanor in the hallway.


    Mansfield was dressed in stylish casual clothes, exuding the effortless charm of old money.


    "Mr. Goodwin," Mansfield greeted him with a nod.


    Eleanor gave a faint, "Mm."


    "When are youing back?"n asked, his tone sounding unnervingly like a husband asking his wife.


    Eleanor frowned in annoyance, but thinking their daughter might have asked him


    to, she replied, "My flight is at three this afternoon."


    Mansfield watched Eleanor, recalling the image of her andn crossing the street together the night before. A flicker of disappointment crossed us face content belongs.


    "I''ll take you to the airport this afternoon."


    "You don''t have to do that. I can get a cab," Eleanor said, knowing he must have


    his own work to attend to.


    "It''s no trouble at all. Don''t be a stranger," Mansfield insisted, his tone firm but gentle.