The image of lan's insistent gaze as he questioned her flashed in her mind, making her feel even more conflicted.

At seven o'clock, Joel was still asleep when Eleanor heard the door open.

She thought it was a nurse, but when she turned, she saw lan walking in.

He was carrying takeout bags and a shopping bag with clothes.

"What are you doing here?" Eleanor asked in a surprised whisper.

"I brought you some clean clothes. Go take a shower in the adjacent bathroom and change," lan said, glancing at the bloodstains on her sleeve.

Eleanor hadn't minded, but since he'd brought them, she decided to take him up on the offer.

However, when she took the clothes out of the bag, she was surprised to find not just an outfit, but also fresh underwear and a bath towel.

She recalled him telling her to shower and change. Seeing the undergarments, a faint blush rose on her cheeks, but she quickly assumed Joslyn must have been the one to pack them.

With that thought, Eleanor took a shower and changed into the new clothes, tossing her old ones in the trash.

When she returned to the room, Joel was awake and chatting with lan.

"Come and eat. I brought dinner for both of you," lan said, gesturing to Eleanor.

The two men seemed to have been talking for a while, and the atmosphere was calm.

"Okay. Joel, have you eaten?" Eleanor asked.

Joel nodded. "I had a little. You should go eat with Mr. Goodwin in the family lounge next door."

Eleanor glanced at the bags lan had brought, noticing several more food containers. She realized he hadn't eaten either.

"You haven't eaten?" she asked him directly.

lan gave her a look of mock hurt, his

voice taking on a playfully wounded

edge No. I was busy dealing

th

the Faye situation and didnt get a chance."

"Eleanor, Mr. Goodwin took time out of his busy schedule to bring us food. You should go eat with him," Joel urged gently.

"Then let's go eat," Eleanor said softly, then turned back to Joel. "Are you sure you don't want any more?"

Joel waved his hand. "I don't have much of an appetite. You two go ahead. I'll rest for a bit."

Eleanor picked up the heavy bag of food containers, glanced at lan, and pushed open the door to the family lounge next door.

She unpacked the containers one by one. It was an exquisite meal from a high-end restaurant, complete with elegantly packaged desserts.

Eleanor sat down but didn't start eating. Instead, she asked him, "How is the company handling the situation with Faye?"

lan handed her a set of utensils as he answered. "The police have officially opened a case, classifying it as assault with intent to do

grievous bodily harm. Given the no

severity of her actions our lawyers. wiftbe pushing for attempted murder charges. As the involved parties and victims, you and Joel will give formal statements to the police tomorrow. The evidence is solid; she won't escape the consequences."

He paused, then added in a low voice, "I promise she will never have the chance to hurt you again."

Eleanor listened quietly before whispering, "Thank you."

lan's eyes narrowed with a self-reflective look. "Actually I was the direct cause of Faye's termination."

Eleanor looked up at him, not particularly surprised. She'd suspected as much when Joel told her.

lan met her gaze and admitted

frankly, "I was the one who fired her."

He sighed heavily. "My intention was to get her out of the lab never

Joel's

thought it would lead to this injury, the scare you went through... it's because of me. It's my fault."