lan's hands, submerged in the water, slowly clenched into fists.

The dull ache in his chest grew sharper, accompanied by a powerful sense of helplessness that made his breathing shallow.

He knew he had to face this, to calmly accept the happiness she had chosen. But that was far from easy.

lan rose from the hot spring, water sluicing down his toned body. The night breeze brought a chill as he wrapped a robe around himself and walked back into the villa.

The room was scattered with some of his daughter's toys. He patiently knelt to tidy them up, then went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid swirled in the glass, reflecting his heavy thoughts.

Just then, his phone chimed with a message from Gavin Young. [Mr. Goodwin, Major Ellington has returned to Kingston.]

lan's pupils constricted. He quickly dialed Gavin's number. "Who told you that?"

Gavin immediately replied, "Dr. Lyman sent over an inventory list. I casually asked if Miss Sutton was at the hospital, and he mentioned she had gone home. Major Ellington returned to Kingston this afternoon."

Only Mansfield went back to Kingston? Eleanor didn't go with him?

Given Mansfield's current physical condition, he should have needed Eleanor's care. And given their relationship, Eleanor should not have left his side at such a critical moment.

"Mr. Goodwin? Is there anything else?" Gavin asked tentatively from the other end.

"No," lan said flatly and hung up.

He downed the whiskey in one go and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, unable to make sense of the situation.

Eleanor had risked everything to save Mansfield. Why, when he needed her most, hadn't she accompanied him to Kingston to care for him? After all, he had taken their daughter, and her work was just minor wrap-up tasks.

Unless-

lan's pupils contracted sharply as a theory surfaced in his mind. Unless the relationship between Eleanor and Mansfield wasn't as intimate as he had imagined.

His throat went tight as the idea caught and burned through him.

If his guess was correct, that meant...

Whether it was because of the alcohol or something else, lan felt his heart begin to

race.

He grabbed his phone and dialed Eleanor's number.

Eleanor was already in bed reading a book. Her brain had been

overworked lately, and she had

decided to read a physical book t

give her eyes a rest. When the phone rang, she assumed it must be her energetic daughter calling at this hour.

"Hello," she answered warmly.

There was a two-second silence on the other end, followed by lan's deep voice. "It's

me."

Eleanor's expression cooled slightly, and her tone became distant. "It's late. Is something wrong?"

"I heard Major Ellington went back to Kingston. Why didn't you go with him?" lan's voice was tinged with curiosity.

Eleanor frowned, surprised by his question. Her voice remained cool. "They have a professional medical tear to look after him in Kingston wasn't needed."

"Is that all?" lan pressed. "You're not worried about him?"

"With Principal Maxwell's team there, there's no need to worry," Eleanor continued to respond.

"Have you two discussed when you're getting engaged?" lan asked abruptly. Annoyed, Eleanor closed her book. "lan, that's none of your business, is it?"

The words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the hope that had just begun to flicker within him. Standing by the window, lan's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. "Sorry. I crossed a line."

Two seconds later, the line went dead.