who was seated at the far left end of the long table by the window. Her long hair was down, a faint smile yed on her lips, and she looked unusually rxed. The warm lighting seemed to envelop her in a soft glow.


    He watched her for a few seconds before striding in her direction.


    "Mr. Goodwin, you''re here," a middle-aged employee said, spotting him first and quickly rising to his feet.


    Instantly, everyone at the table stood up to wee their boss.


    Everyone except Eleanor. She was clearly stunned, having had no idean would being.


    "Mr. Goodwin, find a seat!" Joel said, getting up to greet him. He then gestured to Gavin. "Gavin, you too."


    Gavin smiled and nodded, pulling out a chair to sit down.


    There was an empty seat across from Eleanor. She was sitting between Joel and Callie, son couldn''t just take someone''s spot. Besides, he was well aware of whether she''d want him sitting next to her or not.


    "Mr. Goodwin, why don''t you take my seat?" Callie offered, finally showing some quick thinking.


    With that, his long fingers unbuttoned his suit jacket, and he slipped it off. He was wearing a dark shirt underneath, which,bined with his silver hair under the lights, made him look all the more regal and captivating.


    A few of the female colleagues on the team cast subtle nces his way, sneaking peeks at the big boss they rarely got to see.


    He let his gaze circle the table, then eased his voice. "Don''t mind me. Enjoy yourselves. I''m just here for a quick hello."


    His words slowly eased the tension, and the atmosphere returned to a more casual state. The team members resumed their conversations andughter, though they were still a bit more reserved than before.


    An observant colleague quickly pouredn a ss of wine. Ian gave him a slight nod in thanks.


    Eleanor lowered her gaze and took a sip from her water ss. Just then, Joel slid an exquisite dessert in front of her. "Your favorite."


    Eleanor''s eyes visibly brightened. It was tiramisu.


    As a thought struck her, she stared at the tiramisu for a few seconds before picking up her small spoon and taking a delicate bite.


    Her subtle reaction didn''t escape the man watching from across the table. He narrowed his eyes, leaning back in his chair with a casual air as he lifted his wine ss for a sip.


    Her expression while looking at that dessert... it was as if she was thinking of someone. Who could have given her this dessert before? Xavier Vaughn? Mansfield Ellington? Or the man right beside her, Joel?


    Callie, seated next ton, proactively raised his ss for a toast. Ian clinked sses with him, his eyes downcast as if lost in thought.


    But his presence was impossible to ignore. Even in silence, hemanded the


    room.


    The main courses had been served, and everyone was enjoying the meal. Joel made the rounds, ensuring his team was taken care of, and also raised his ss tonn was remarkably approachable that night, epting toasts from everyone who offered orfe.


    His affability helped the employees rx considerably. Someone took the lead in toasting him, and soon, others followed, not wanting to miss the opportunity. One by one they approached his seat to offer a toast.


    To their surprise,n didn''t refuse a single one. In a short time, he had drained several sses.


    Eleanor watched him but said nothing. She didn''t get up to offer a toast.


    the corners of his eyes, adding a touch ofnguor-and an undeniable sexiness-to his stern features.


    Sitting across from him, Eleanor saw him ept yet another toast. Finally, a slight frown creased her brow.


    Atst, everyone had made their toast. Just then,n picked up his half-full ss and gestured with it toward Eleanor. His gaze was deep as he tooked at her, his voice growing lower and more maic from the alcohol. Dr Sutton fd like to propose a toast to you? Thank you for all the hard work you''ve put into this project."


    Everyone watched the exchange. The big boss personally and individually toasting Eleanor-that was significant. After all, everyone knew their history. They had been married.


    Eleanor picked up her teacup and raised it slightly. "I''ll toast you with my tea."


    A smile touchedn''s lips. He brought the ss to his mouth and finished the remaining wine in one go.