The car glided smoothly toward the banquet hall. Thest of the sunset stretched long across the city. Eleanor had no desire to reminisce about the past. Their rtionship would be built on the new foundation of their coboration.


    Soon, the car arrived at the hotel. An attendant stepped forward and opened the door.n got out first.


    A manager saw him and immediately hurried over. "Mr. Goodwin, you''ve arrived."


    Once she was out, they walked side-by-side up the red carpet and into the brightly lit banquet hall.


    Their appearance immediately drew nces from all around.


    The man was distinguished andposed, the woman elegant and intelligent. They seemed to be keeping their distance, but most people present knew they were once married.


    By then, the hall was half full. A few board members were the first to greetn, and they showed great enthusiasm for Eleanor as well. "Dr. Sutton, a pleasure to meet you."


    Eleanor calmly shook hands with the board members, her demeanor poised and respectful. Her conversation showcased her refinement.


    "Dr. Sutton, I read your recent paper on neurodegenerative diseases. It was truly enlightening," a middle-aged board member praised.


    Seeing his interest in her research and his specific mention of her academic work, Eleanor smiled and struck up a conversation with him.


    This was precisely her purpose for being here tonight; she hoped to gain the support of The Guild of Commerce for her academic research.


    "Dr. Sutton, it seems we have much to discuss in the future!"


    "It''s Dr. Sutton''s research on brainputer interfaces that has truly opened our eyes!" another board member added with a smile.


    The Eleanor of today no longer needed to rely on her former identity as Mrs. Goodwin. She had earned a significant ce in the scientificmunity through her own merit.


    Just then, some guests turned their attention toward the entrance. Walden Wells walked in with a morous woman on his arm. Many recognized her as the international pianist, Vanessa.


    The moment Vanessa stepped into the banquet hall, she spottedn. However, she saw a slender, elegant woman standing beside him, her back to her, obscuring her face.


    But just then, the woman with the beautiful silhouette turned her head slightly, and Vanessa''s expression froze.


    It was Eleanor.


    How could this be? Had Eleanor andn''s rtionship recovered to the point where they could attend a banquet together?


    Was Eleanorn''s date tonight?


    Vanessa felt a jolt. She was once the one standing byn''s side, basking in the envious stares of the crowd. The Eleanor of the past was. someonen would never have brought to such an event.


    But now, the woman she had once relentlessly mocked-Eleanor-was standing besiden, looking so independent and dazzling, enjoying the respect and admiration of the surrounding guests.


    Eleanor hadn''t even dressed up extravagantly. A simple


    champagne-colored gown and light


    makeup were enough. The


    intellectual and calm aura she


    d''effortlessly made her the.


    exuded


    center of attention.


    Vanessa had also dressed to the nines tonight, hervish gown and dazzling jewelry meant to unt her status. But next to Eleanor''s understated elegance, it backfired.