Eleanor had barely finished her apology when the auditorium erupted in applause.

"Miss Sutton, that was incredible!"

"Miss Sutton, we could listen to you for another two hours!"

The two guys in the front row made her laugh, and their enthusiasm drew another round of delighted gasps from the audience.

After the speech, a crowd of students gathered around, eager to ask questions. Eleanor answered each one patiently, her calm composure never wavering.

Standing off to the side, Gwenda watched the small crowd clustered around Eleanor and couldn't help but whisper to herself, "I really underestimated her before."

Eleanor was gathering her notes when a sudden commotion stirred by the door. Gwenda nudged her lightly. "Eleanor, look who just walked in."

Eleanor glanced up, and to her surprise, spotted a familiar figure by the entrance.

lan stood there, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his gaze quietly intense as it rested on her.

What was he doing here?

For a moment, Eleanor froze, but she quickly lowered her eyes and resumed packing up, as if she hadn't seen him at all.

lan, however, didn't move. He simply stood at the entrance, watching her shine among the students, a complicated emotion flickering in his eyes.

The students noticed lan too. A few brave ones approached him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Goodwin."

lan nodded politely, which seemed to thrill them. Still, there was an unmistakable aura about him—something that made people keep their distance. A quick greeting was as far as anyone dared to go.

No one was bold enough to strike up a real conversation.

"Eleanor, I'll finish up here. Why don't you go see if Mr. Goodwin needs something?" Gwenda suggested.

Eleanor replied coolly, "No need. There's nothing for us to talk about."

But just then, lan walked over. He stopped beneath a spotlight, his features sharply defined, his suit crisp and dignified, exuding the same reserved, commanding presence as always.

Gwenda's heart skipped a beat. There was something about lan-an almost intimidating kind of good looks that made it hard to meet his gaze.

Eleanor looked up, resigned. "Is there something you need?"

lan's eyes flickered, as if he wanted to say more, but he only said quietly, "Your lecture was excellent."

Eleanor didn't reply, but Gwenda, ever curious, piped up, "Mr. Goodwin, did you come here just to hear Eleanor speak?"

lan gave a faint smile. "I was at the Royal College of Medical Sciences for a meeting. I stopped by on my way out."

Gwenda nodded, glancing at Eleanor. "I'll be right back-I need to use the restroom."

As she left, most of the students drifted out too. Soon, the large auditorium felt empty, leaving Eleanor and lan alone.

Eleanor gathered her files, ready to leave.

"I've arranged a dinner tonight with Principal Weber and the team from Meridian Dynamics. You should join us," lan said suddenly.

Eleanor paused, turning to look at him.

He seemed to anticipate her unspoken question. "Joel Kingsley and Byron will be there too. We're finalizing a strategic partnership with the Royal College."

Eleanor considered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll be there on time." lan looked as if he'd expected her answer. He inclined his head slightly. "Six o'clock. Verdantia Palace. Bring your classmates if you like." "Understood." Hugging her files to her chest, Eleanor left the auditorium.

A few moments later, Gwenda caught up with her. When she heard about the dinner with Meridian Dynamics, she was thrilled. "Eleanor, thanks to you, I get to tag along to such a high-profile academic dinner!"

Half an hour later, Eleanor and Gwenda arrived by taxi at the entrance of Verdantia Palace. As they stepped out, someone waiting by the door called her name.

"Eleanor."

She looked up, surprised. "Joel?"