Under the sudden, piercing intensity of his gaze, Eleanor realized exactly what she had just agreed to. She quickly looked away, the tips of her ears burning hot.

"Never mind," she mumbled vaguely, quickening her pace to walk ahead of him. Behind her, the man let out a low laugh. He caught up effortlessly, threading his fingers through hers. "Too late. I'm holding you to that for the rest of my life." Cornered, Eleanor had no choice but to look up at him. She didn't offer a witty comeback; she just smiled, a soft, yielding warmth softening her eyes.

lan froze for a split second. Then, he hauled her flush against his chest, wrapping his arms around her in an impossibly tight embrace.

Right on cue, Princess trotted up to them, leash clamped firmly in her jaws, her tail wagging wildly.

lan laughed, taking the leash in one hand while keeping his other firmly wrapped around Eleanor's, and together they walked down the sunlit path.

Monday morning, Eleanor was driving toward the lab when her phone rang shortly after she hit the road.

It was Ellington.

"Ms. Sutton, are you not attending the board meeting today?"

Eleanor had seen his email, but she hadn't planned on going. "Is there something critical that requires my presence?"

"Well, today's agenda includes a major proposal regarding the hotel upgrade project. It's absolutely vital for our upcoming development phase. Right now, the boardroom is split evenly down the middle. We desperately need to sway three key shareholders."

Ellington quickly added, "I know Mr. Goodwin will fight for us, but if you're there in person, Ms. Sutton, I'm confident the board will have much more faith in the project."

Hearing the urgency in Ellington's voice, Eleanor immediately understood the stakes.

"Alright, I'm on my way," Eleanor replied.

"Excellent. I'll be waiting for you at Goodwin & Co. Tower."

While Eleanor despised corporate politics, she knew that although she didn't micromanage the eight companies under her name, she couldn't just play absentee owner forever. When it mattered, she needed to show up.

She whipped her car around and merged onto the highway heading straight for Goodwin & Co. headquarters.

Half an hour later, she strode into the towering glass-and-steel lobby.

Almost immediately, she came face-to-face with a man in a sharp tailored suit- Shaun Wallace.

lan's uncle.

Recalling his wife's abhorrent behavior at Magdalen's funeral, Eleanor harbored zero goodwill toward the Wallace family.

Before Eleanor could even attempt to bypass him, Shaun flashed a patronizing, overly theatrical smile.

"Well, well! Dr. Sutton. What a rare sight," he sneered, his tone dripping with blatant condescension. "What brings you to Goodwin & Co. today? Finally taking a break from playing scientist in your little lab?"

Eleanor met his gaze coolly. "I was invited to attend the board meeting."

"The board meeting? Ha!" Shaun looked her up and down with obvious disdain. "Listen, Eleanor. A boardroom isn't a laboratory. You're completely out of your depth here. It's best to leave corporate matters to the professionals," He took a step closer, lowering his voice? "It would be a real shame if you derailed the entire meeting."

Eleanor offered a razor-thin smile. "Thanks for the advice."

A flash of veiled contempt crossed Shaun's eyes. "I'm only looking out for you. After

all, you are lan's ex-wife. If you make a fool of yourself in there, it's lan's reputation on the line."

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. Eleanor stepped inside. Shaun and his assistant followed closely behind, clearly unwilling to drop the subject.

"Say, Eleanor have you given any thought to remarrying lan? If you do, you'd better hurry up and give him a son An empire like the Goodwins. can't survive without a male heir. I know lan is desperate for a proper successor!"

Eleanor's smile remained fixed, her voice dangerously calm. "I highly doubt the Goodwin family's affairs require your concern, Mr. Wallace."

Shaun's face hardened. He scoffed. "If lan wasn't my nephew, I wouldn't waste my breath. But since we are family, it's my duty to offer a little friendly reminder."

He shot Eleanor a withering glare. "If you have no intention of providing lan with a male heir to carry on the bloodline, you need to stop clinging to him. Ruining the Goodwin legacy is not a sin you want on your conscience."

The moment he finished his lecture, the elevator doors chimed open.

Eleanor didn't say a single word. She simply stepped out, not sparing him so much as a backward glance.

Shaun trailed behind her, his face twisting in annoyance. He loudly proclaimed to his assistant, "Kids these days! Absolutely zero respect."

The assistant practically tripped over himself to agree. "You're entirely right, sir."

When Eleanor reached the boardroom doors, Ellington was already pacing outside. Seeing her, he rushed over in relief. "Ms. Sutton, you made it."

Eleanor checked her watch. They still had a few minutes before the meeting officially began, though several shareholders were already seated inside. Shaun Wallace brushed past Eleanor letting out loud, obnoxious short before

strutting into the room.

Ellington noticed the blatant hostility. He glanced at Eleanor uneasily. "Ms. Sutton,

should we wait for Mr. Goodwin to arrive before heading in?"