After Eleanor was framed, Xavier canceled the project and fired the engineers and researchers involved. He did it to protect what was left of Juliette Labs' reputation, and in the process, he also earned Eleanor's gratitude.

It was obvious he was pursuing Eleanor back then.

And lan had felt a pressure he'd never experienced before.

At the time, Xavier had stood by Eleanor without hesitation, even sacrificing significant business interests to defend her. His decisiveness and resolve had shocked lan.

Back then, Xavier had done what lan couldn't-he'd given Eleanor his unwavering support and protection.

But now that lan was by her side again, he would never let history repeat itself.

Some things were better left unsaid. All he could do was give her his complete trust, support, and devotion from now on.

He would give her everything she wanted.

Even if his methods weren't exactly conventional.

Eleanor recalled the incident. Under those circumstances, isolating her temporarily had been a way to protect both the project and her. After all, it was Meridian Dynamics' core technology; a leak would have been catastrophic.

But at the time, the feeling of being doubted and excluded had stung.

"I understand," lan said in a low voice. "If he ever needs help in the future, I'll do my best to assist him."

Eleanor turned to look at him, her brow furrowing slightly. "That's between me and Xavier. I'll find a way to repay him myself."

The subtext was clear: she didn't need him to pay her debts.

lan's expression remained unchanged. "I'm not doing it to repay a personal favor for you," he said calmly. "You're the mother of my daughter, and Xavier is a dear friend. Helping him is simply the right thing to do."

Eleanor was at a loss for words.

His reasoning was impeccable and airtight.

She couldn't argue with him, which only frustrated her more.

It felt like no matter how hard she tried to be independent, she could never completely escape his influence and control.

***

At the lab's parking garage, Eleanor parked the car, and lan got out.

He walked beside her as they entered the lab's main lobby. The receptionists couldn't help but exchange glances when they saw them.

Could the rumors online actually be true?

Was there a chance Mr. Goodwin and Dr. Sutton were getting back together? Or were they already on that path?

Seeing them arrive together clearly meant they had ridden in the same car. They might have even left from the same house or woken up in the same bed.

Eleanor looked up and noticed the suggestive stares from the front desk. She lowered her gaze and quickened her pace toward the elevators.

She stepped into an elevator, and with lan just a few steps behind, she considered hitting the 'close' button but held the door for him instead. A smile touched lan's deep-set eyes as he stroden.

The elevator doors slid shut, and Eleanor stared at the ascending floor numbers.

A deep male voice suddenly spoke from beside her. "You seem to care what other people think of us."

Eleanor frowned but didn't answer.

Just then, the doors opened. As she stepped out, lan said from behind her, "See you in the meeting."

Without looking back, Eleanor walked toward her office.

During the meeting later, Eleanor was already in work mode. In the dimly lit room, she stood before the projection screen, using a laser

in

pontento explain her points. Tan sat

His

in the back, resting his head on hand, his gaze fixed on her from across the conference table.

She wore a white lab coat, which made her look even more professional and composed. The light from the screen flickered across her, making bet seem to glow.