"Eleanor Sutton, I just had a friend abroad look into it. The approval process for Andreessen & Co.''s Helios chip is extremely strict due to new proprietary


    technology. There are also quota limits for global distributors. If ourb applies, the waiting period is at least a year, and even then, there''s no guarantee we''ll pass the final review."


    A year? Eleanor''s heart sank. She could wait, but Mansfield Ellington''s condition couldn''t.


    Was all their research progress going to be stalled because of a chip?


    "Is there no other way?" Eleanor asked, her voice urgent as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.


    "Unless―" Ryan hesitated. "Unless someone with enough clout vouches for us and uses higher-level business channels. I heard Goodwin & Co. has a strategic partnership with Andreessen. Maybe Mr. Goodwin has a way."


    Eleanor''s mind went nk for a few seconds.


    But Ryan was right. He was the only one who could get this done in the shortest amount of time.


    But thinking about how he had just shut the door in her face, and now she had to—


    Ryan''s anxious voice came through the phone again. "Miss Sutton, we can''t wait on this. Every second counts!"


    Eleanor bit her lip. For Mansfield''s sake, she had to ask him.


    She could pay for the chip herself, but the only way to get it was through him.


    "Okay, I''ll go talk to him right now," Eleanor said.


    Ryan sighed in relief on the other end. "That''s great. I''ll be waiting for good news."


    He hung up.


    Eleanor drew a steadying breath. Every instinct told her to stay away, but she still had to open that door, go downstairs, and face him.


    She stepped into the elevator. The ride from the 28th to the 27th floor was so fast it was over before she could even think of what to say.


    Eleanor stood atn Goodwin''s door. She raised her hand, her fingertips hovering over the cold doorbell for two seconds before she pressed it firmly.


    The door opened quickly. Ian looked at her, a little surprised. He had two buttons of his shirt undone at the cor, shedding his usual formal rigor for a more casual, at- home look.


    "What''s wrong?" His eyes locked on her pale face.


    Eleanor forced herself to remain calm and met his gaze, getting straight to the point. "I need your help. The chips theb currently has cant meet the demands of the new algorithm. We have to acquire Andreessen & Co.''s ''Helios chip." After a pause, Eleanor lowered her eyes. "Applying through theb will take at least a year. We can''t wait that long."


    Eleanor paused for a moment before stepping into his apartment. Ian walked over to the water dispenser to pour her a ss of warm water noticing that her lips were a little dry from the fever.


    Standing in the living room, Eleanor spoke to the man as he walked back with the water. "I heard Goodwin & Co. has a strategic partnership with Andreessen. If you get involved the process of getting the chip would be much faster. I can cover the cost myself."


    Ian handed her the water, a slight arch in his eyebrow. "You came to me just for a chip?"


    Eleanor lowered her gaze. Although he had agreed to Garth''s request to save Mansfield, she was now asking him for a favor in the name of ab project, which put him in a difficult position.


    She could ovee experimental difficulties on her own, but for something like this, which was beyond her control, she was truly helpless. She could only ask him.