He let out a thinugh, trying to y it off. "I was just asking. With such arge sum of money involved, it''s always good to be cautious."


    Walden''s expression soured. A man in his sixties being lectured by someone not yet thirty was a blow to both his pride and his reputation.


    Before he could retort,n continued, his voice cold. "If you continue to make


    baseless usations and spread false rumors, The Guild of Commerce will reserve the right to pursue legal action."


    Though not loud, his voice was firm and carried weight, earning him looks of newfound respect from the onlookers.


    Vanessa bit her lip, fuming inwardly. To defend Eleanor,n had publicly humiliated Walden, leaving him with no graceful way to back down.


    Did he really cherish Eleanor so much that a few critical words from someone else would provoke such a stern warning?


    Vanessa shot a resentful re at Eleanor.


    Eleanor stood off to the side, her emotions knotted up. She couldn''t pretendn hadn''t just stepped in for her, but it also felt like a burden. She didn''t want to be the cause of controversy and trouble for him.


    Walden forced himself to maintain a calm facade, saying through gritted teeth, "You certainly carry yourself with authority, Mr. Goodwin. If the procedures were followed and the project is so outstanding, then I''ll consider my words unsaid."


    "Mr. Wells, there''s some good wine over there. Care for a drink?" someone interjected, trying to smooth things over. Walden turned and walked away, and Vanessa had no choice but to follow.


    The sudden confrontation shifted the atmosphere in the room, and Eleanor could feel more eyes on her. Her identity asn''s ex-wife was something she couldn''t


    erase.


    She turned ton. "I need to talk to you."


    His gaze deepened, his voice low. "Eleanor, don''t back down."


    Eleanor was taken aback, meeting his all knowing gaze. She had indeed felt a flicker of doubt not out of fear of a Challenge, but because she didn''t want to be a burden to him.


    "Remember, you don''t have to prove anything to anyone, and neither do I,"n said, his eyes locked on hers.


    vel


    "Your father persisted with his research under such difficult


    conditions for the sake of advancing medicine. Now that The Guild of Commerce is providing you with the best possible resources, you should be even more focused on moving forward."


    Stunned, Eleanor looked up at him, momentarily speechless.


    "Eleanor, don''t let a little gossip shake you, and don''t betray your own talent and hard work. Understand?"


    "But—" Eleanor looked at him. "Are you sure there are no issues with the funding?"


    "I can promise you every dor is clean and by the book. There isn''t a single line crossed,"n assured her in a low tone.


    The sight ofn leaning down to speak with Eleanor caught Vanessa''s eye, and her hand


    tightened around her wine s


    Eleano was actually listening ten with such patience What had


    happened between them recently? Cóntent


    Where was the Eleanor who had been so disgusted withn? The one who hated


    and despised him?