lan drove while Eleanor gave directions. It only took about a ten-minute drive to reach the restaurant.

The midday sun was intense. Eleanor got out of the car, raising a hand to block the direct glare. Just then, another hand hovered over her head, shielding her.

Eleanor looked up. lan smiled, his face looking exceptionally handsome against the backlight. "Let's go."

Eleanor walked into the courtyard of the private bistro. It was quite crowded today, but thankfully, there were still two empty tables left.

Several of the patrons were actually her colleagues from the lab. The tables that had been full of laughter and chatter suddenly fell eerily quiet the moment the two of them walked in.

Eleanor could feel the appraising stares from the other tables. After all, lan was incredibly recognizable.

After they sat down, she noticed that the people who had just been talking loudly were now whispering amongst themselves.

Once Eleanor ordered, lan added two more dishes. He smoothly poured tea for Eleanor, who had just received a few messages and was looking at her phone. The surrounding lab colleagues took in the entire scene, making their whispered gossip even more animated.

Eleanor was focused on replying to some experimental data Callie had sent. It wasn't until lan gently nudged the teacup closer to her hand that she glanced up, thanked him, and went back to typing.

lan didn't mind. His gaze rested on Eleanor's brows, which furrowed from time to time. When Eleanor finished handling her work texts, she picked up her cup and took a sip. Aware of the stares around them, she tried to look as natural as possible as she asked the man across from her, "How did Evelyn do today?"

"The kid was thrilled. The instructor said she's very talented and brave."

At the mention of her daughter, Eleanor's expression softened unconsciously. "She definitely is brave."

lan took out his phone. He had taken some photos and videos, but instead of sending them to Eleanor, he simply handed his phone to her.

Eleanor paused for a second before taking it. On the screen, Evelyn was dressed in full riding gear, wearing a little helmet, and sitting on her pony, smiling brightly.

She swiped down to a video. Her daughter's riding posture was spot-on, and she even completed a simple obstacle test. Seeing the determined look on Evelyn's little face, the corners of Eleanor's mouth lifted into a smile.

"Looks like she really had a blast," Eleanor said, handing the phone back.

lan took the phone, his eyes returning to her face. "Next time, we'll go with her together."

Eleanor nodded. "Alright. If I get the chance, I'll go watch her."

The food arrived, and the two of

them ate quietly. Just then, the voices of some female colleagues from the lab drifted over from?

nearby table.

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"I didn't expect lan to be even more handsome in person than in the financial magazines..."

"Do you think Dr. Sutton will remarry him?"

"How did his hair turn white? Is he sick?"

"He doesn't look sick. It must have been some huge emotional shock. It looks like it turned white overnight."

These faint whispers found their way to Eleanor's ears. She lowered her eyes, focusing entirely on the food on her plate.

lan, as if he hadn't heard a thing, continued eating with perfect composure.

Soon, the people at those tables left, and the area grew much quieter.

Eleanor looked up at lan's hair

ing curious herself about how

seeming

it had turned white.

fo FindNovel.net

lan looked up and caught her gaze. He immediately put down his silverware, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Are you wondering how my hair turned white, too?" lan asked, pointing at his head.

Eleanor awkwardly averted her eyes. "If you don't want to talk about it—"