lan deliberately leaned in, closing the distance between them. His gaze was heavy, laced with an unfiltered, predatory heat.

"You know exactly how much I wish that misunderstanding was reality. So, you said that just to rile me up, didn't you? Hmm?"

That final hum was low, gravelly, and entirely too seductive—hooking straight into her chest.

Eleanor quickly averted her eyes, staring out the window to break the contact. She felt thoroughly exposed, caught red-handed in her little game.

"Just drive. I really need to get to this meeting," she insisted, refusing to entertain his teasing any further.

"I'm not going to force you," lan said, his voice dropping to a serious, razor-sharp clarity that demanded her full attention. "But in my heart, you have always been, and will always be, my one and only Mrs. Goodwin. Past, present, and future."

Eleanor's head snapped back around. She crashed straight into his steady, fiercely devoted gaze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

He wasn't hiding anything. He was laying it all out, waiting for her.

Right on cue, her phone buzzed, shattering the heavy silence. She glanced at the screen and pleaded, "Please, just drive. I'm legitimately running late."

lan just stared at her for a second. "..."

True to his word, he smoothly merged back onto the road. They were only five minutes away from the villa. When he pulled up, Eleanor hopped out and opened the door to her own car. Just as she was sliding into the driver's seat, lan suddenly materialized right behind her.

Before she could even register his movement, he leaned down and pressed a completely natural, lingering kiss against her forehead.

"Drive safe."

Eleanor sat there, stunned into silence, as lan casually walked back to his own car, started the engine, and drove off.

Meanwhile, on the executive floor of Goodwin & Co.

Yvette Wallace clutched a stack of files to her chest, deliberately taking the long route across the skybridge. Just as she hoped, the distinct chime of the CEO's private elevatör echoed through the corridor.

She instantly tightened her grip on the folders, her heart skipping a pathetic beat. Holding her breath, she angled her body slightly and sneaked a glance toward the elevator doors.

The sleek metal doors slid open, and lan Goodwin stepped out. His presence was commanding. He casually draped his tailored suit jacket over one arm while using his free hand to loosen his tie.

The morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, casting a brilliant halo around him. The light caught his signature ash-grey hair, givingt an ultra expensive gleam. Paired with his unimaginable wealth and striking features, the

man was lethally attractive.

"Good morning, Mr. Goodwin," Yvette practically purred, instantly snapping out of

her daze to project the image of a perfectly deferential employee.

lan barely registered her in his peripheral vision. He gave a microscopic nod and strode purposefully toward his office.

Yvette stared at his retreating back, her mind spinning with wildly unrealistic fantasies.

Her aunt and uncle had already briefed her on his entire personal life.

Yes, he had a brilliant scientist for an ex-wife. Yes, she knew that ex-wife was notoriously aloof and obsessed with her career. She also knew.fan was supposedly trying to salvage the marriage.

But according to her aunt, the ex-wife was absolutely refusing to provide him with an heir. And for a dynasty like the Goodwin family, he needed a woman willing to give him children.

Yvette knew she was a long shot compared to the elite women in his circle, but knowing his 'weakness' made the untouchable billionaire feel just a little more within reach.

If you could target a man's deepest needs, everything else was just a matter of timing.

Yvette bit her glossed lip. She could be patient. She just needed the right opportunity to insert herself into lan's life.

"Miss Wallace, there's a 10 AM meeting in the boardroom. Go distribute these files," her manager ordered, walking past.

Yvette's eyes lit up. An internal executive meeting meant lan Goodwin would be there.