Seeing her daughter''s focused expression, Eleanor replied, "Just let me know ahead of time next time."


    Eleanor didn''t reply again, but back in the executive office at Goodwin & Co., someone was in a very good mood.


    "Daddy, look, I''m finished!" Evelyn presented her masterpiece: an adorably crude take on the corporate organizational chart.


    "I''m going to take it home to show Mommy," Evelyn said with a happy arch of her brow.


    At noon, an army-green SUV was parked in front of the research institute. Serena Goodwin, who was heading out to the lobby to pick up a package, nced at the vehicle curiously. Just then, a handsome, rugged figure stepped out of the driver''s side. The man didn''te inside but leaned casually against the hood of the car, looking at the building as if waiting for someone.


    The receptionists saw him through the ss and immediately started whispering among themselves.


    "Who is that guy? He''s so handsome."


    "From his bearing, he looks like he''s from the military."


    Serena''s heart tightened. Wasn''t this the military officer who had been pursuing Eleanor? What was he doing here?


    Just as Serena was wondering, she saw Eleanor emerge from the elevators. She was wearing a light blue dress that perfectlyplemented her gentle and charming demeanor.


    "Ellie," Serena said, hurrying over. She gestured curiously toward the man outside. "Is he waiting for you?"


    "Yes, I''m having lunch with a friend," Eleanor replied with a nod.


    Serena immediately felt a surge of anxiety onn''s behalf. Besides the brilliant Xavier Vaughn, Eleanor also had this mysterious officer pursuing her a man whose charisma, looks, and physique were in no way inferior ton''s.


    Mansfield Ellington saw Eleanor step out of the lobby and immediately straightened up. Dressed in casual clothes today, his tall, athletic frame was particrly striking in the sunlight.


    "Have you been waiting long?" Eleanor asked with a smile as she approached him.


    "Just got here." Mansfield smiled back, opening the car door for her with the grace of a true gentleman.


    Watching from the lobby''s floor-to-ceiling windows, Serena''s anxiety intensified. This officer wasn''t just handsome; he was also incredibly attentive to Eleanor.


    After watching the SUV drive away, Serena immediately sentn a text.


    n, Ellie just went to lunch with that officer who''s pursuing her."


    A dozen secondster,n''s reply came through. "I know."


    Serena blinked. Wasn''tn worried? Wasn''t he jealous at all?


    But after calming down, Serena understood. In Eleanor''s world, aside from Evelyn,


    At the restaurant, Mansfield was


    visibly happy, the smile never leaving his eyes. "Can you tell me what you''ve been busy withtely? want


    to know more about your life and your work."


    "Sure. I''ve been researching a specific blood disorder, trying to find a treatment," Eleanor said honestly.


    "Any breakthroughs?" Mansfield asked with concern.


    "Yes, the progress has been good," Eleanor confirmed with a nod.


    Mansfield looked at her with an admiring smile. "I know a few experts at the Military Medical University. If you ever need an introduction, just let me know."


    Eleanor smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I''d love to meet them sometime. By the way, how is Dr. Bradley doing?"


    Mansfield paused, clearly not expecting Eleanor to ask about another man while with him. He wasn tone for mine games, so he just raised an eyebrow. "Here you are, having lunch with me, asking about another man. Aren''t you worried I''ll get jealous?"


    Eleanor was taken aback for a second before breaking into a smile. "So, are you jealous?"


    Mansfield chuckled honestly. "A


    little, yeah. But I know your


    connection with Garrison is purely academic. He''s doing great work at the base, making some significant strides in His research.