lan's fingers tightened around his phone as he gazed calmly into the distance. "Time and place."

"I'll be waiting for you in my hospital room," Mansfield said, his tone insistent. "I need you to come here."

lan got into the car. The afternoon sun streamed through the window, and he closed his eyes for a moment to rest.

When Lanny told him they had arrived, he quickly regained his composure, opened the car door, and headed toward the inpatient wing.

Mansfield was in a premium VIP suite. When lan arrived, a man approached him. "Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Ellington is expecting you."

With that, he led the way to a hospital room.

Mansfield hadn't even bothered to change out of his green camo. He was over by the window, hands behind his back, and he looked unusually grim.

"Mr. Goodwin, you're here," Mansfield said, looking up and gesturing for him to sit.

lan looked at him. "Major General Ellington, if you have something to say, please say it."

"I have an urgent mission that requires me to go abroad immediately. I'm leaving Ashford City in an hour," Mansfield said, looking up.

lan raised an eyebrow, reminding him, "You're leaving right after you two made it official?"

"I know," Mansfield's voice was low and hoarse. "I've let her down."

He picked up a nearby tablet and tapped on a photo. A gruesome image assaulted lan's eyes—several soldiers in camouflage were bound, their bodies covered in shocking injuries. One had even lost an arm. The timestamp in the corner indicated the photo was from the previous day.

"We received an ultimatum an hour ago." The veins on the back of Mansfield's hand bulged. "If we don't hand over the person they want within forty-eight hours, they'll start executing the hostages."

lan's throat tightened. The young faces in the photo, though in extreme pain, still held the unwavering resolve of soldiers.

"Those are my brothers-in-arms," Mansfield said through gritted teeth. "I can't just leave them to die."

The room fell into a dead silence.

Mansfield looked up. "I'll tell her I've been urgently deployed for a military exercise, with no set return date."

lan stared at him. "Are you the person they want?"

Mansfield didn't answer. Just then, the sound of a helicopter came from outside the window. Mansfielde

gaze

looked up, his gaze

sincere plea Takled with a

care of her

lan nodded, as if silently accepting a heavy burden.

Just then, one of his men opened the door from outside. "Sir, the helicopter is here."

Mansfield turned and walked toward the door. He paused, then turned his head with difficulty. "If I don't make it back, please explain things to her for me."

Ian watched as Mansfield's figure disappeared through the door.

Ten minutes later, Eleanor was revising a proposal on her computer when her phone buzzed with a message. She picked it up and saw it was from Mansfield.

She couldn't help but smile. Had he figured out what he wanted to do for their date tomorrow?

Eleanor opened the message. The content wasn't about their date, but an announcement from Mansfield.

"Ellie, I just received an urgent

notice. I have to participate in a multinational military exercise immediately. The return date is undetermined. I'm so sorry, but I can't make our date tomorrow."

Eleanor was a bit taken aback. What kind of exercise was so urgent? He had been

cleared for discharge, but he still needed to rest!

"How long will you be gone?" Eleanor asked.

"I can't say for sure yet. Take care of yourself and Evelyn. I'll let you know when I have news."

Although surprised, Eleanor

understood the responsibilities and

duties that came with Mansfield's position, so she didn't press further. She replied, "Okay. Stay safe."