Joslyn quickly brought over a platter of cut fruit, placed it on the coffee table, and returned to her room.

Now it was just the two of them in the living room. Ian picked up a slice of apple, took a bite, and asked Eleanor, "Grandma wants everyone to dress up tomorrow. Do you have a suitable gown?"

"Are there going to be other guests?" Eleanor looked up, wondering if even the extended Goodwin family would be invited.

lan shook his head. "My grandmother doesn't plan on inviting any outsiders this year. It'll just be our family." After a pause, he added, "I'll arrange for your dress."

Eleanor shook her head. "No, that's okay. I'll handle it."

Since it was just a dinner with the Goodwin family, she could dress more formally, but there was no need to be overly elaborate.

Eleanor picked up a grape and rolled it lightly between her fingers before popping it into her mouth.

"Did you say goodbye to Mr. Ellington?" lan asked suddenly.

"Yes, I did," Eleanor replied calmly.

lan didn't press the topic. Instead, he brought up the matter of the wall. "I've already notified the construction company. They can have the door installed within a week at most."

Eleanor responded softly, "Okay."

"If you have any other ideas, feel free to let me know," Ian offered.

Eleanor had changed so much. She used to have endless things to say to him, but now, he found her thoughts inscrutable. He had no idea what she was thinking.

Or rather, instead of trying to guess, he preferred to wait patiently for her to voice her feelings herself.

Eleanor ate the grapes, the sweet juice bursting on her tongue. She looked up at the man across from her and shook her head. "I don't have any special requests. The main thing is convenience for Evelyn."

Right. The core of their relationship now was their daughter. Everything revolved around her.

Just then, lan's phone rang. He glanced at it, his brow furrowing. He said to Eleanor, "I should go. Good night."

"Okay,” Eleanor acknowledged, watching him stride quickly out the door.

He clearly had an important call to take.

Eleanor had been following some financial news lately, so she was aware of the fluctuations in Goodwin & Co.'s stock price.

Although his skill and methods had

properly handled the Cliffmoor incident, stock price volatility affected shareholder interests and market confidence. It seemed the pressure on him was even heavier than she had imagined.

Business had never been gentle, and he had always carried its pressure on his own.

That night, Eleanor put her daughter to bed. After Evelyn fell asleep, Eleanor was

about to rest when her phone lit up with a message.

[Can I take two sleeping pills?] someone asked.

Eleanor frowned. Two sleeping pills? Was this brand not working for him?

[Not recommended. Overdosing on sleeping pills is risky,] she immediately replied.

After sending the message, she waited a few seconds, but lan didn't respond.

Eleanor couldn't help but send

another

e. [If you really can't

sleep, try listening to some calming

music or exercising. Relying on

medication isn't a

d solution

A minute later, lan replied, seemingly with resignation, [Alright!]

Eleanor couldn't help but wonder, was the pressure on him really that great this time? Great enough to cause insomnia?

Finally, Eleanor asked, [Is the situation at your company serious?]

lan replied faster this time. [Just a minor issue.] Then he added, [Thanks for your concern.]

Eleanor felt a pang. It seemed she was being overly concerned about him. She replied, [You're welcome.]

Then, she set her phone aside and didn't look at it again.

She had no idea that downstairs, in

front of the floor-to-ceiling window,

the man was holding his phone, his

gaze fingering on their short

conversation as a faint smile

touched his lips.

At the very least, these few sentences showed that she was no longer completely indifferent to his life.