Eleanor received notice of a week-long business trip for a tech exchange forum. The email had been sent last month, but she hadn't mentioned it until now.

"I have to go on a business trip this Monday. I'll probably be gone for about a week."

lan lifted his head and looked at her. "A business trip? To where?"

"Kingston. There's an exchange program at the science academy, and they need me there."

lan's brows instantly furrowed. "A week? You're going to leave me here all alone for a week?"

Eleanor let out an exasperated laugh. "Alone? Didn't your mother and sister just move in? How are you alone? Plus, you have your daughter!"

lan was momentarily speechless, but his face clearly spelled out how unhappy he

was.

He muttered, "When are you leaving?"

"Probably a flight on Sunday afternoon."

"But I need you." Ian shamelessly tightened his hold around her. "I'm a patient. You can't just abandon me."

Eleanor looked down at him. Since when had this man become so incredibly clingy? "I'll try to rush back as soon as I can," she finally promised, trying to comfort him. With three days left until the weekend, Eleanor handed off her lab duties while making sure to spend time with her daughter-riding bikes, going for walks, and keeping academic pressure to a minimum.

Ian followed his doctor's recovery instructions strictly, but Eleanor's upcoming trip to Kingston clearly kept him in a sour mood.

After all, Kingston was a place full of fond memories for Eleanor.

On Saturday morning, when Evelyn heard her mother was going to Kingston, she immediately thought of one person. She tilted her head and asked, "Mom, are you going to see Mr. Ellington in Kingston?"

Eleanor paused. From the sofa, a sharp gaze was already piercing her.

"Probably not. He should be at the base, and it's not easy to visit him there," Eleanor answered her daughter.

"I really want to go play at his base again! Mom, next time you go on a business trip to Mr. Ellington's base, you have to take me!" Having always lived in the city, Evelyn still fondly remembered her last trip there.

Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Alright, go play now."

Evelyn turned to her dog. "Princess, let's go play ball on the lawn!"

Once Evelyn ran off, the atmosphere in the living room remained slightly tense. Eleanor brewed herself a cup of herbal tea and prepared to go upstairs to work. The man on the sofa was clearly no longer focused on his sports game.

"Can you grab my medicine for me?" lan asked.

"You haven't taken it yet?" Eleanor looked up at him.

"No." lan shook his head.

Eleanor went to get his pills and a glass of water. As he took them, he looked up at her. "How did you know he isn't in Kingston? Have you two been texting?"

Eleanor had expected this question. She sat down beside him. "No, we haven't. I just guessed. At Mansfield Ellington's level, he wouldn't leave his base easily."

lan stared at her, jealousy simmering in his eyes. "Is that so? Then why did he always manage to find time to rush back and keep you Company every time you went to Kingston before?"

Eleanor looked back at him, her eyes questioning. "How do you know all of that?"

lan choked on his words for a few seconds before admitting, "If I want to know something, I have my ways."

Eleanor couldn't be bothered to

argue over the past. She simply

explained, "That was just because he

Kingston

happened to be on leave. It was a coincidence This trip to is strictly Business

She stood up to leave, but lan caught her wrist. "Can I come with you?"

"Ian, stop messing around." Eleanor gave him an exasperated look. "I'm going there to attend conferences."

"I can apply to attend too. I don't believe I can't get in," lan narrowed his eyes.

"You stay home, rest, and spend time with our daughter," Eleanor instructed, considering he was barely a week post-op.

lan reluctantly nodded. "Fine. I'll wait for you at home."

The next afternoon, Gavin took Eleanor to the airport. This time, Lyman Brown and several distinguished professors were traveling with her.

Dressed in a sleek trench coat, Eleanor walked alongside the older professors, her aura of effortless intellect shining through.

After a two-and-a-half-hour flight, they landed at Kingston International Airport, and Eleanor checked into The State Guesthouse.

The next three days were packed with back-to-back lectures and forums, keeping her fully occupied.

After classes, lan would video call her with their daughter.

On the fourth day at noon, Eleanor was eating in the cafeteria and chatting with colleagues when her phone rang.

She checked the screen and paused. It was Mansfield Ellington.

Eleanor stepped outside to answer it. Mansfield's familiar voice came through the

line. "Eleanor, I heard you're in Kingston for some classes."

She hadn't heard from him in a while. "How did you know? Are you in Kingston too?" she asked.

"A friend told me there was a medical conference in Kingston, and I guessed you'd be there."

"Yes, I've been attending lectures for a few days. How have you been?"

"I'm doing well. And you?" Mansfield asked with concern.

"I'm doing great too."

"Could I ask a favor of you?" Mansfield requested.

"Of course, go ahead," Eleanor replied.

"Do you remember my junior, Sophia? She's in the hospital undergoing rehab, using your Neural Interface Project. Since you're the

expert on it could you visit her?ut

would give her a lot of hope."

Eleanor gripped her phone, remembering the sight of Sophia in a wheelchair.

"Of course. Send me her hospital information, and I'll go see her," Eleanor agreed.

On the other end, Mansfield's voice suddenly turned heavy. "She's a good girl. She got hurt this time because of me."