"Okay, let me know if there''s any good news," Eleanor replied, as she also hoped Vivian would be raised by Xavier.


    "Will do. We should grab a meal sometime. You get back to work," Xavier proactively ended the conversation.


    Eleanor replied, "Sounds good."


    At noon, Smith invited Eleanor out for lunch at a restaurant; he was craving Chinese food.


    Just as they were seated, a familiar figure appeared at the restaurant''s entrance.n strode over and casually pulled out the chair next to Eleanor, sitting down. "Mind if I join you?"


    Smith smiled at Eleanor. "El, I was hoping to invite Mr. Goodwin to join us to discuss this morning''s new proposal."


    Eleanor nodded, indicating she didn''t mind.


    "It''s still in the validation phase."


    After a bit more conversation, the food arrived. Just as Smith brought up a new topic and Eleanor was about to respond, she was suddenly choked by a spicy vor. She clutched her chest and coughed, instinctively reaching for a ss of water and taking a fewrge gulps.


    At that moment, arge handnded on her back and began to pat it gently. After a few pats, Eleanor, without looking up, pushed his hand away.


    Across the table, Smith looked over with concern. "El, are you alright?"


    Eleanor looked up with an embarrassed smile. "I''m fine, just choked a little." As she reached for the water ss again, her hand froze.


    She saw three sses on the table: one in front of Smith, one to her left, and the one to her right, which was half-empty—it wasn''s.


    Eleanor pulled her hand back and used her left hand to grab the ss on her left, quickly taking two more sips.


    Then, Eleanor looked up atn. "Sorry, I''ll have the waiter get you a new ss."


    "It''s fine,"n said, then nonchntly picked up the ss and drank the remaining water.


    This gesture made Eleanor look away. She had to treat it as a simple mistake, something that meant nothing.


    "Regarding the drug formtion, if the validation is sessful, can we expect results within two months?"n asked, changing the subject.


    "Theoretically, yes, but I''m not in a hurry Eleanor said. Since this medication


    would eventually


    used by her daughter, she had to be extra cautious.


    "I understand,"n nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."


    Just then, a new dish arrived. "Let''s eat," Smith encouraged.


    This time, Eleanor ate more slowly, but the dish was still quite spicy. She fanned her mouth with her hand, letting out soft breaths, her cheeks flushed a fight pink, which made her look surprisingly childlike and cute.


    This sight caught the eye of the man beside her, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought.


    "Mr. Goodwin?" Dr. Smith''s voice brought him back. "Do you have any objections to my proposed n?"


    "I have to run an errand at the embassy in a bit. El, you can get a ride back to theb with Mr. Goodwin," Smith said.


    She hade in Smith''s car.


    "No, it''s fine, I''ll just—" Eleanor began, about to say she''d call a car.


    "It''s on my way. I''m heading to theb anyway,"n said in a low voice.


    Considering the recent potential danger, Eleanor nodded and didn''t refuse.


    In the car, Eleanor gazed out at the passing streetscape. Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up and saw it was Mansfield calling.


    Eleanor looked at the screen and answered naturally, "Hello! Have younded?"


    "Just got to the airport. Are you free tonight? I''d like to treat you and Evelyn to dinner," Mansfield''s clear, charming voice came through the phone.


    fo


    In the quiet car, a certain someone could hear everything clearly.


    Eleanor was hesitating about whether to ept when a deep male voice from beside her cut in. "I''ll take care of Evelyn. You go on your date."