Eleanor received a call informing her that a car was waiting downstairs. When she got to the lobby, she sawn, who seemed to be waiting for her.


    Together, they got into the car headed for the Ellington Mansion.


    Night had fallen. At six o''clock, the Vice President''s residence was brilliantly lit.


    The imposing Roman columns stood tall and straight. At the entrance, Garth was speaking with Principal Maxwell. Seeing them arrive, he came over to greet them personally. "Eleanor,n, wee."


    Garth shook both their hands, his gaze lingering on Eleanor for a moment.


    "Mansfield is in the drawing room. He said he has something important to announceter."


    Eleanor smiled faintly. "Alright..."


    "Don''t be so formal. Just call me Mr. Ellington," Garth said with a proactive smile, inviting her to change her address.


    Eleanor nodded quickly. "Okay, Mr. Ellington."


    Principal Maxwell turned to them. "Eleanor, Ian, let''s go. Let''s head inside."


    Eleanor followed Principal Maxwell in. A momentter, Garth returned, apanied by Ryan, Callie, and Dr. MacLeod.


    Eleanor''s face lit up when she saw Callie, who was wringing his hands in excitement. "Eleanor, I had no idea we wereing here for dinner!"


    Apparently, Ryan had kept him in the dark the whole way, only revealing their destination once they arrived in Kingston. Callie was so excited he was a little dazed, but seeing Eleanor helped him rx.


    Eleanor realized the Ellington family had invited all the key contributors to this thank- you dinner. Soon, everyone was seated. Garth turned ton. "Ian,e sit next to me."


    Mansfield sat down next to Principal Maxwell and gave Eleanor a warm, smiling nce. She smiled back in greeting.


    "Mansfield''s recovery is thanks to all of your efforts. I especially want to thankn for delivering that chip in time. The Ellington family will never forget this kindness," Garth said, addressingn with grave sincerity.


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Vice President. It was my duty,"n replied politely.


    Mansfield suddenly stood up, his handsome face filled with emotion. "Thank you all foring today. You are all my saviors. Without you, I might have never woken up. I''d like to propose a toast to all of you."


    Everyone raised their sses in unison, epting Mansfield''s gratitude. Then, Mansfield''s gaze swept across the room, finallynding on Eleanor. Their eyes met for a moment.


    Garth then raised his ss. "I also have a piece of good news to announce."


    Everyone fell silent, listening intently.


    Eleanor was no exception.


    "I will be approving a national technology support initiative. Over the next five years, we will invest fifty billion dors in dedicated funds to support foundational research and industrial application in O cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence and biomedicine."


    Excitement flickered across the faces of everyone at the table. This was a


    tremendous benefit for the country!


    this. A perfectly measured smile formed on his lips.


    "The inspiration for this n came from all of you," Garth said, looking at Eleanor, Jan, and the others.


    "Witnessing the scientific prowess and innovative spirit you


    demonstrated during one


    treatment convinced me that we must increase our investment in technological innovation."


    Callie and Ryan exchanged a nce, both thinking excitedly that they would no


    longer have to worry about research funding.


    Principal Maxwell raised his ss. "This policy will be a massive boon to the medical field. On behalf of the Military Medical University, I thank you."


    Garth smiled and nodded knowingly. "I hope you all seize this opportunity, not just in your careers, but to find new directions in your personal lives as well."


    Just then, Eleanor''s and Mansfield''s eyes met, and they shared a smile.


    He gripped his ss, his expression calm, but a storm raged within him.


    Was Garth''s statement a hint for him to stop trying to reconcile with Eleanor? He was clearly epting her as Mansfield''s wife.


    A servant promptly led him in the right direction.


    When he returned, the atmosphere at the dinner table was still lively. The sumptuous meal made everyone feel weed.


    Eleanor didn''t eat much. As the only woman and one of the younger guests, she preferred to listen to the conversation.


    Halfway through dinner, Mansfield turned to Eleanor. "Ellie, would you like a tour of my home?"


    Eleanor, who was looking for a chance to get some fresh air, nodded.


    Mansfield led her from the room. As their figures disappeared from the dining hall,n''s eyes Tell on a


    He had been


    nearby ss of vodka. drinking red wine all evening, but


    now, he wanted to taste the vodka.


    He wondered if its harsh, fiery burn could chase away the pain inside him.


    An overwhelming sense of powerlessness washed over him. Mansfield was an obstacle he was destined never to ovee.