Eleanor nced at her watch and said to the man on the sofa, "You should go home and get some rest."


    Before Eleanor could answer, Evelyn agreed. "Daddy, you have to take good care of Princess!"


    "I will,"n chuckled, ncing at Princess, who seemed to understand and followed him out the door.


    After tucking her daughter into bed, Eleanor returned to her study to organize the day''s materials. Her thoughts drifted back to Sophia, to the way she had looked up at the birds in the sky. She must be longing to spread her wings and return to her career.


    Eleanor''s heart felt heavy, the weight of her responsibility pressing down on her


    even more.


    The next morning,n took his daughter to school, and Eleanor left for theb shortly after. It waste spring, and she dressed lightly for the day. On her way to theb, she noticed the two cars of her security detail trailing behind her.


    In theb''s parking lot, Eleanor got out of her car but didn''t head straight for the main entrance. Instead, she walked over to one of the security vehicles.


    The bodyguard inside immediately got out to greet her politely. "Miss Sutton, is there something we can help you with?"


    "Hello, I was hoping you might have some news about Mansfield Ellington. Do you know how he is?" Eleanor asked, holding onto a sliver of hope that she might hear something about Mansfield, as it was highly likely they were his former subordinates.


    The lead bodyguard shook his head. "Sorry, we don''t know Major General Ellington''s whereabouts."


    From their expressions, Eleanor could tell they weren''t lying. They genuinely didn''t know.


    Nearby, a ck Maybach sedan had just pulled into the lot. From the back seat, a man with sharp eyes caught the flicker of disappointment and worry in Eleanor''s face, and his breath hitched.


    "Mr. Goodwin, should I go over and greet Miss Sutton?" Gavin, who was driving, asked.


    "No need,"n said in a low voice. He was here today for a report on the civilian projects, on a different floor from Eleanor.


    Eleanor soon entered the main lobby and headed toward the D-wingbs, whilen and Gavin went to the A-wing.


    Just then,n''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID-it was an unknown number, but anyone able to reach his private line was certainly no ordinary person.


    "Hello," his voice was its usual calm self.


    "Mr. Goodwin, this is Walden Wells," a smooth, elderly male voice came through the line.


    "Mr. Wells, how can I help you?"n asked politely.


    "It''s like this. I''ve heard there''s a rather unreasonable contract between you and my fiancée, Miss Vanessa Shannon. I was hoping you would do me the honor of meeting sometime so we can discuss this and get it settled."


    "Congrattions,"n offered, his expression unreadable. He then adopted a more forceful tone. "The contract between Miss Shannon and mets @ legally binding document rted to my mother''s treatment. I''m afraid it can''t simply be nullified over a chat, Mr. Wells."


    Walden Wells on the other end seemed to have expected this response, and his voice grew heavier. Mr. Goodwin, everything is negotiable. I know the contract involves certain penalty uses, but Vanessa is my fiancée now, and she will soon be Mrs. Cooper bearing my children. For you to hold onto her like this wouldn''t be good for your reputation. We can talk terms: Walden Wells, can afford the penalty. As long as it''s reasonable and legal, we can discuss it, can''t we?"


    "You''re overthinking it, Mr. Wells. The terms of the contract are clear. It''s a medical cooperation, with no personal rtionship involved. As for termination—"n paused, his tone holding an unquestionable finality. "That''s impossible at the moment My mother''s treatment still requires Miss Shannon''s


    cooperation."