After Eleanor got into her car, Mansfield's voice came, low and clear. "Eleanor, it might not be easy to stay in touch, but you know I'll always be your friend, and someone you can rely on."

His words were simple but carried immense weight. There was no ambiguity, no regret-only open-hearted concern and a pure blessing.

The budding feelings that had once existed between them were now transformed by him into a solid friendship and a one-sided promise of protection.

Eleanor's eyes grew warm, and she nodded firmly. "Mansfield, you have to promise to stay safe."

"Okay, I promise," Mansfield smiled. Under the dim yellow light, his smile was handsome and clean, just like the man himself.

Just then, Mansfield's gaze shifted to a black SUV parked about a dozen meters away. His eyes narrowed sharply. "Is that car your security detail?" he asked Eleanor.

Eleanor nodded. "Ian sent them."

Mansfield smiled. "Then I can rest easy."

"You should get going too," Eleanor said.

"Goodbye." Mansfield turned and strode toward his black Land Rover. He opened the door, got in with a clean, decisive motion, started the engine, and drove away.

Eleanor watched his car merge into traffic and disappear. She couldn't help but sigh. Mansfield had passed through her world like a shooting star, ultimately speeding toward his own destiny.

Eleanor started her car and left. In the car behind her, a text message was sent.

Goodwin Manor.

lan's phone chimed. He picked it up. [Ms. Sutton's dinner has concluded.]

lan texted back, [Stay with her car.]

[Understood.]

lan looked out the window into the night, a complex mix of emotions in his eyes. But more than anything, there was a sense of relief, as if the dust had finally settled.

Mansfield's graceful exit, Eleanor learning to be with him again everything was moving in the direction he had hoped for.

lan was accustomed to using calculation, control, and personal gain to get what he wanted. But he knew that with Eleanor, he could never use those tactics again She was someone he could neither calculate nor control.

Half an hour later, lan's phone vibrated

securit gain. It was a text from the

security detail. [Ms. Sutton has arrived safely at her residential Complex

lan replied, [Good work. You can pull back.]

A moment later, his phone chimed again. This time, it was from Eleanor. [I'm home.

You can bring Evelyn back now.]

[Okay, we're on our way,] lan texted back.

Back home, with her daughter

absent, Eleanor went to her study to

work. Princess came up and lay

down to rest at her feet. Eleanor looked at the dog with gentle eyes. Sometimes, the feeling of having a furry companion by your side was incredibly therapeutic.

A little after nine, lan walked in, holding Evelyn's hand. Princess immediately got up

from Eleanor's feet and went downstairs.

Eleanor came downstairs as well. Ian looked up at her, and their eyes met unintentionally.

"Mommy, tomorrow is Great-Grandma's birthday. You're going, right?" Evelyn asked, looking up at her.

Eleanor nodded. "I'll be there."

lan said to his daughter, "Go play with your toys for a little while. Your mom and I need to talk."

Evelyn took Princess to the playroom. Joslyn came over and asked, "Mr. Goodwin, would you like some tea?"

Hearing this, Eleanor said to Joslyn, "Joslyn, could you slice up some fruit instead?" Joslyn smiled. "Of course. I'll get some fruit ready."

lan's gaze rested on Eleanor, his smile deepening. "Are you worried about my insomnia?"

His gaze was so intense it made Eleanor's heart race. She looked away, busying herself by straightening the throw pillows on the sofa.

lan's smile grew wider, making no effort to hide his amusement. "Alright. If you say

so."