She thought she had moved on. But right now, seeing the two of them on that screen, all the suppressed jealousy, resentment, and bitterness surged up

uncontrollably.

Yet she knew, none of her pathetic emotions could ever reach them now.

They were standing at the top of the world, bathed in the adoration of millions. Meanwhile, she was utterly alone. Her mother was gone, her father was in prison, and she didn't have a single ally left on this earth.

She walked out of the mansion and got into her car, sitting in blank, expressionless silence for a very long time.

***

At the Ninth Military District Base.

The day's training had just wrapped up, and the television mounted on the wall was playing the news.

Mansfield Ellington carried his tray to a quiet corner of the mess hall. He had just returned from a mission and still carried the weary, dust-covered look of the field. Garrison Bradley sat down next to him a moment later, glancing up at the television. "Check out the news!" he grinned.

Mansfield looked up just as the broadcast cut to a new scene.

A familiar face flashed across the screen, and he froze, his fork pausing in mid-air.

On the television, Eleanor stood on the podium in a stunning evening gown.

"One of our scientists just won a massive award!"

"That's incredible."

"Eleanor Sutton? That name sounds so familiar! Hasn't she been to our base before?"

"Yeah, I remember now! I saw her here last time."

The mess hall instantly erupted into excited chatter.

Mansfield watched the screen in quiet stillness, a slow smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

She had done it.

And she had achieved far more than he had ever imagined.

"She really is extraordinary," Garrison remarked.

Mansfield snapped back to reality and smiled. "Yeah. She deserves it."

The camera panned over to lan. Mansfield studied the screen, finally admitting to himself that the man truly was worthy of Eleanor.

At that moment, a squad member jogged over, eyes wide. "Major Ellington, aren't you close with Dr. Sutton?"

Mansfield smiled and nodded. "Yes. We're friends."

Friends who had gone through hell and back together.

She was his friend, someone he deeply admired, and the one person who hadn't given up on him during his darkest hour.

He was happy for her. Genuinely, wholeheartedly happy.

***

News of Eleanor's award swept across the nation. She received an endless stream of congratulatory calls, including ones from the Vice President, the Mayor, Simone Langley, Professor Lyman Brown, and Chancellor Maxwell. They were all mentors who had helped her along the way.

Xavier Vaughn and her close circle of friends called as well.

Prof. Chen even started a video call to congratulate her personally, leaving Eleanor incredibly touched.

That evening, Eleanor was organizing some files and replying to congratulatory emails from her international colleagues.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID and broke into a wide smile.

"Hello!"

"Congratulations," Mansfield's voice came through the line.

"Thank you. How have you been lately?"

"I'm doing well," Mansfield chuckled, his voice low. "So, when are we celebrating your wedding?"

Eleanor paused in surprise, then laughed. "Let's grab dinner together the next time you're back in Ashford City."

"I probably won't have the time this year. I've got active missions. But congratulations to the both of you."

"Take care of yourself out there," Eleanor urged with genuine concern.

"I will."

"Alright, goodbye." He hung up the phone.

Eleanor set her phone down and went back to replying to her emails.

Not long after, a certain someone returned. When Eleanor turned around to look at him, she completely froze.

lan stood in the doorway, tall and impeccably dressed in a dark suit. But what shocked her the most was

as

his hair his signature silver-gray locks were gone, replaced by sharp, clean buzzout, dyed pitch-black as it had been in the past.

Eleanor stared at him for several seconds, utterly speechless.

"What's wrong? You don't like it?" lan raised an eyebrow.

Eleanor finally snapped out of her daze and couldn't help but laugh. "I love it. You

look years younger."

lan stepped forward, naturally

sweeping her into his arms. Eleanor

reached up to run her fingers over

his hair. The dark color really did make him look younger adding a sharp, predatory edge to his

handsome features.

The silver-gray hair had given him an air of mature, untouchable nobility.

But honestly, she loved both.

"Still replying to emails? It seems Dr Sutton has received quite a few Tan noted

congratulations today ann ok

UM

his eyes narrowing in a teasing smile.

Eleanor looked up. "I've heard from all my close friends." "Including?" lan raised an eyebrow. "That particular guy?"

Eleanor blinked, then burst out laughing. "Why on earth are you acting jealous again?"

lan pressed her tighter against his chest. "Fine, I'm not jealous. You're my wife now. Why would I need to be jealous of anyone?"

Eleanor shook her head, still laughing. Ian covered her hand with his, his voice dropping to a low, possessive rumble. "Mine."

Eleanor let out a soft sigh, wrapping her arms around his neck. "All yours," she whispered.

lan smiled, resting his forehead against hers. "Darling....."