Through the ss window, she sawn sitting quietly in a chair, his arm extended as a nurse skillfully drew his blood.


    As if sensing her presence, he looked up, his gaze regaining its usual depth andposure. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment before Eleanor turned and


    walked away.


    The nurse removed the needle and pressed a cotton swab against the puncture site. Ian quietly thanked her and stood up.


    He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a firm forearm. After pressing down for a dozen seconds, he straightened his cuff and strode calmly toward the door.


    Just as Eleanor was about to enter her office, she heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned around.


    "Dr. Sutton," he began, his tone formal.


    Eleanor nced up at him coolly. "Yes?"


    "I''m here for this week''s blood draw,"n said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on her.


    "I won''t get in the way of your experiment, and I won''t risk Evelyn''s future."


    He was repeating Eleanor''s own words from the night he was sick.


    Eleanor frowned slightly. "Do you have a problem with what I said?"


    "No, you were right. I''ll listen to you,"n said with a small smile. "When ites to theb, you''re in charge."


    Eleanor turned, pushed open her office door, and went inside.


    A short whileter, Eleanor received a meeting notification. When she walked into


    the conference room,n was already seated at the head of the table.


    Smith brought over thetest data, and they decided on a treatment n for Gina to begin on Monday.


    "I haveplete faith in your decision,"n said, his gaze resting on Eleanor''s face.


    Eleanor deliberately avoided his eyes, listening as Smith analyzed Gina''s condition in detail.


    When the meeting ended, Eleanor was packing up herptop to leave whenn spoke to her. "I''ll be


    attending Evelyn''s pare


    sports day on Monday, Thope you don''t have a problem with that."


    Eleanor didn''t object. "No, I can''t get away. You can go with her."


    "Okay,"n nodded.


    Eleanor was in her office writing up a proposal when someone knocked. Serena


    poked her head in and called out, "Ellie, look what I brought you."


    With that, Serena walked in carrying a slice of ramisu and a coffee. "


    got it from the cafe across the


    street," she said, approaching her. "It''s your favorite kind of coffee."


    Eleanor was taken aback and looked up at her. "You shouldn''t be running around


    while you''re a patient here."


    "I know, I just went out to clear my head and thought I''d grab a coffee for you," Serena exined, looking at her With hopeful eyes "Ellie, please don''t turn it down.


    Before Eleanor could say anything, Serena gave a knowing smile. "Well, I''ll head back to my room to rest then."


    Eleanor sighed. She had been feeling a bit drowsy all morning, so she picked up the coffee, removed the lid, and took a sip.


    A momentter, when a nurse was about to enter Eleanor''s office to deliver some files, Serena stopped her. "Excuse me, could you do me a favor?"


    Afterward, the nurse came out and walked over to Serena. "Miss Goodwin, I saw Miss Sutton drinking the coffee, but she hasn''t touched the tiramisu.


    A happy glint appeared in Serena''s eyes. "Thank you."


    Regardless, she was thrilled that Eleanor had at least taken a sip of the coffee she brought. It felt like the beginning of their reconciliation.