She led them to a group of people, and after another round of introductions, everyone began chatting animatedly about medical matters. Ian listened from the side, asionally sipping his champagne, but his gaze was mostly fixed on Eleanor.


    In the past, he had always stood by her side as an investor, listening to her talk with others. But tonight, he was here as a true friend, and the feeling was entirely different.


    Eleanor was listening to E recount a funny story about an experiment and had just burst outughing when her eyes inadvertently met a pair of deep ones.


    It wasn.


    He had turned his head to look at her, his gaze particrly intense under the lights.


    Eleanor quickly averted her eyes, looking down and taking a sip of champagne. Suddenly, E suggested, "There''s going to be a dance in a little while! El, don''t forget to ask Mr. Goodwin for a dance."


    "I''m not a good dancer," Eleanor said, shaking her head with a smile.


    "It''s easy. I''m sure Mr. Goodwin knows how. He can teach you," E said enthusiastically.


    Just as she finished speaking, the mellow jazz music switched to a waltz, and the lights dimmed, creating a romantic atmosphere.


    E immediately embraced her partner, not forgetting to give Eleanor a wink. "Don''t be shy, El!"


    Eleanor smiled as she watched them step onto the dance floor. Soon, nearly everyone, all of whom hade with partners, happily joined them.


    As Eleanor watched, she sawn put down his ss and walk toward her.


    Her heart fluttered with nervousness, and she turned her face away slightly.


    "Eleanor,"n called softly. "May I have this dance?"


    Eleanor looked at the hand extended to her, then up inton''s focused gaze.


    The refusal on the tip of her tongue never came out.


    She took a quiet, deep breath, lifted her hand, and ced it in his.


    "I don''t really know how," she whispered. "I might step on your feet."


    Then, with a gentlemanly touch, his other hand rested lightly on her slender waist. He didn''t pull her into an overly intimate embrace, instead maintaining the proper distance of a dance partner. At that moment, he was just that—a partner. Through the thin fabric of her dress, Eleanor could still feel the warmth of his palm. Under his guidance, she awkwardly made her way onto the dance floor.


    He had actually taught her before, a long time ago, before their daughter was born. He had taken her to a few gs, and he had been the one to teach her the steps.


    As she''d predicted, Eleanor couldn''t help but step on his foot. Ian just chuckled encouragingly. "It''s okay."


    Soon, Eleanor began to find the rhythm, and their movements became more synchronized.


    The lights were dim and hazy, surrounded by swirling skirts and low murmurs ofughter. Guided byn, Eleanor gradually rxed, following him as he spun and moved.


    How long had it been since he was this close to her? Close enough to catch her scent, to see the fine hairs


    on her skin under the light,


    tofeel


    her warmth and breath.


    Beneath his thickshes,n concealed a torrent of emotions.


    It was the greed thates from having lost something and gotten it back.


    It was the unconscious tightening of his grip.


    It was the fear that she might vanish in the next second.