Eleanor watched him quietly, her gaze devoid of resentment or emotion. "If I ever remarry, I''ll let you know."


    Eleanor didn''t understand his sudden outburst and frowned. n, it''s all in the past."


    "It''s not in the past!" he practically growled. "I know I don''t deserve you—I just—l just want to know if I''ve truly lost you for good."


    Eleanor froze for a few seconds, instinctively taking a step back. The man before her suddenly seemed like a vtile, dangerous beast.


    Whenn looked up and saw her retreat, he instantly realized he had frightened her. He clenched the hand that had been blocking the door into a fist and lowered his gaze, like a predator sheathing its ws. He apologized hoarsely, "Sorry, I lost myposure."


    With that, he opened the door for Eleanor, who paused for a moment as she walked past him. "We should both move on. You save your family, and I''ll do my research. Let''s not bother each other anymore."


    After saying her piece, Eleanor walked around him and left.


    The door closed, leaving the man alone in the conference room. He leaned against the wall, his tall frame looking as if all the strength had been drained from it as a self-deprecating smile touched his lips.


    Back in her office, Eleanor''s thoughts were in a bit of a turmoil, but she quickly clicked back into a work document. A sudden wave of curiosity washed over her, and she navigated back to the confidential file from before. She reached out to click on it, and when the password prompt appeared, she bit her lip. What kind of file was locked away in there?


    Why wouldn''tn make it public? If it was research material rted to her mother, there was no reason to keep it secret. But it was clear these documents had nothing to do with his mother''s blood disorder.


    Eleanor casually typed in a few passwords they had shared when they were married, such as their daughter''s birthday, his birthday, her birthday, and a few special anniversaries.


    After trying everything she could think of, she still couldn''t unlock the document, which left her feeling frustrated.


    Why wasn keeping this a secret? She had searched the entireb''s system and found no research documents from her father. Could they all be locked in here?


    In a café.


    Vanessa was meeting with herwyer. Before her arrival, he had already reviewed the contract she had sent over.


    "Miss Shannon, I''ve gone over the contract carefully," Lawyer Brown said, pushing up his sses. "On the surface, it''s a standard stock grant agreement, but there''s a particrly unusual additional use."


    "Which one?" Vanessa asked eagerly.


    "This one."


    "The use states that if you unterally terminate your


    Mr. Goodwin has the right to repurchase all your shares at


    coboration with Goodwin niet


    one-tenth of their value. This means that if your partnership with Mr. Goodwin ends, you''ll not only lose the shares but also suffer a massive financial loss."


    Vanessa''s face went pale. "One-tenth? That''s not what he said before."


    "The contract states it clearly in


    ck and white. Moreover, this use is cleverly worded to sidestep the legal standards for an


    unconscionable contract. If al no


    were to sue, your chances of


    winning are slim." Lawyer Brown


    then addedGoodwin &


    Co. Tegal


    team is one of the best in the world.


    Who would dare to taken to


    court?"


    Vanessa sank onto the sofa, a chill running through her. Ian had set such a huge trap for her. What she thought was a gift of shares had now be a chain binding her to him.