Gwenda's face grew even hotter. "I know. He's honest and dependable, but he's just so boring."

Eleanor laughed. "That's why your personalities balance each other out perfectly. You're outgoing and straightforward; you two are a great match."

Gwenda clearly didn't plan on hiding it anymore. She nervously wrung her hands. "Actually, sometimes when I watch him working in the lab, he does look pretty handsome."

Eleanor offered her encouragement. "I can tell Callie pays a lot of attention to you too."

Gwenda covered her face. "No way!"

Eleanor smiled. "I think you two are very compatible."

Gwenda mumbled quietly, "He's a complete workaholic. All he sees is data and experiments. When does he ever look at me?"

Eleanor smiled and shook her head, her eyes fixed on the data on the screen. "He might not say much, but he's grounded. If he truly likes someone, he won't just talk about it-his actions will prove it."

Gwenda suddenly remembered how Callie had recently started bringing her snacks and little cakes. Maybe she had just completely missed the signs.

"He has been buying me snacks lately for no reason, and he remembered my favorite drink. But do things like that really mean he likes me?" Gwenda tilted her head, thinking hard.

"If he remembers your preferences, it means he cares about you."

Gwenda blinked. "Is Mr. Goodwin like that with you too?"

Eleanor thought for a moment, her lips curving upward as she nodded. "Yes. Though he's a bit busier."

Expectation finally bloomed in Gwenda's eyes. She wasn't getting any younger, and Callie really was a high-quality guy. She needed to seize the opportunity.

***

That evening, Eleanor was working overtime.

lan showed up with dinner in hand.

"I dropped Evelyn off at my mom's place," lan explained, setting out the takeout from a five-star restaurant on the table.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Eleanor looked at him, picking up her fork without hesitation.

"Next time you work late, let me know. I'll come keep you company," lan said.

"I'll probably be working late quite a bit lately." Eleanor looked up at him. "I want to speed up the experiments."

lan nodded. "Alright. If you need backup, just say the word."

"Xavier called today. He took his mother to Drexford but couldn't find a viable treatment plan. I told him to bring her to the lab next month for testing."

lan looked at her, his gaze deep. "I understand how he feels. I just don't want you to overwork yourself."

"It's not overworking. I love my job." After Eleanor spoke, lan lifted a piece of food to her lips. "Try this."

Eleanor smiled and leaned in to take

a bite. lan watched her

affectionately, tapping his fork

against his lips. "You handle the

work. I'll handle taking care of you."

When she finished eating, lan cleaned up the table and poured her a glass of warm

water before sitting on the sofa to wait for her.

A while later, Eleanor stood up. "I need to go to The Archives."

"I'll go with you," Ian immediately stood up.

"It's on the tenth floor," Eleanor said.

lan narrowed his eyes. "Then I definitely need to go with you."

She let him follow. The two of them walked down the quiet laboratory corridors.

Despite the bright lights, the entire floor was perfectly silent.

They stepped into the elevator.

Eleanor was still wearing her pristine

white lab coat, her hair slightly messy. She exuded an irresistible aura of high intelligence. In lan's eyes it felt like she was deliberately putting on a seductive uniform act just for him.

lan reached out and pulled her straight into his arms. Eleanor stumbled against his chest, blushing fiercely. "There's a camera in here!"

Before she even finished her sentence, the man's long arm shot out, his large hand completely covering the camera in the corner of the elevator.

His other hand tilted her chin up, and he crushed his lips against hers.

The kiss was sudden but not rushed. It carried a lazy, undeniable possessiveness, as if he were savoring something incredibly precious. His lips were burning his tongue delicately tracing the seam of her lips.

Phot

Eleanor was flushed red, her hands pressing against his chest, but she didn't push him away.

The elevator chimed and the doors opened on the tenth floor.

lan released her, a teasing smirk dancing in his eyes as he led her out of the elevator.

Eleanor gave him an exasperated glare. "Don't ever do that again."

Even if he had covered the camera, it just made things more obvious. Anyone watching would immediately know exactly what they were doing.

"Don't worry. Even if they saw it, they wouldn't dare say a word," Ian chuckled, comforting her.

Speechless, Eleanor picked up her pace and headed straight for The Archives.