Faye finally left, glancing back at the assistants she'd just startled.

Eleanor waited in her cubicle until everyone had gone. She'd overheard what Faye said.

So, lan and Vanessa were already talking about marriage?

If it came from Faye's mouth, chances were it was true.

Eleanor remembered Vanessa's celebration dinner the other night-the whole thing had felt like a proposal. Maybe lan had already popped the question.

Shaking off the thought, Eleanor returned to her office. Soon after, Joel Kingsley stopped by, and the two of them went over some work matters.

Just then, Eleanor's extension rang. She picked up. "Hello, this is Eleanor."

"Eleanor, come to my office for a moment." It was Byron.

"Of course, Mr. Chase," she replied.

She turned to Joel. "Mr. Chase wants to see me."

He nodded. "Go ahead."

Eleanor took the elevator up to Byron's office. The moment she opened the door, she froze—someone else was sitting on the couch. Ian.

"Where's Mr. Chase?" Eleanor asked, though she already suspected lan was the one who wanted to see her.

lan's eyes met hers, calm and unreadable. "I asked him to step out. I'm the one who needs to talk to you."

Eleanor's expression turned cold. "If it's not about work, then I don't want to hear it."

lan stood, his tall frame closing the distance between them, each step deliberate. "Last time, you said you wanted to schedule monthly visitation times and limits. Is that right? Why?"

She met his gaze, spine straight, refusing to be intimidated.

"You want to cut me out of my daughter's life completely, is that it?" lan was only a few feet away now, his stare fixed on her, accusation simmering beneath the surface.

That was exactly what Eleanor hoped for-to free her daughter from his influence, to help her stop depending on him.

Eleanor's silence spoke volumes.

lan swallowed hard, turning to the window, one hand shoved into his pocket. "I remember the day Evelyn was born," he said quietly, his voice a little rough. "The doctor handed her to me, all bundled up in a pink blanket, so tiny-like a kitten that hadn't even opened its eyes."

He paused, glancing over and catching the sudden rigidity in Eleanor's posture. His voice grew even lower. "The first time I held her, my hands were shaking."

Eleanor dug her nails into her palm. What was he trying to do, bringing this up now?

"From the moment she called me 'Daddy' for the first time, I swore I'd give her the very best the world had to offer." Ian turned, his eyes locked on Eleanor's. This wasn't the controlling man she was used to-it was someone stripped bare by fear.

"Please. Don't take her out of my life." He composed himself, tone steadying. "The visitation schedule stays as it is. Eight times a month. The timing is flexible, but I'll defer to you."

Eleanor clearly wasn't happy, but she'd only agreed to so many visits in the first place to get the divorce finalized.

"There's no room for negotiation on this," lan said through clenched teeth, making it clear he wouldn't budge.

She looked up and saw the red at the corners of his eyes, as if his own words had moved him.

At that moment, Byron's assistant, Laird, knocked and poked his head in. "Mr. Goodwin-"

He immediately fell silent, sensing the tension in the room. Ian's gaze swept over him, and Laird felt like he'd just been x-rayed.

He'd clearly walked right into a volcanic eruption.

"I'll just—come back later!" Laird stammered, quickly closing the door, forgetting

all about the meeting he was supposed to announce.

Eleanor, still facing lan, remembered Joy's warning: if she pushed lan too far, he might stop at nothing to get full custody.

lan had always been ruthless when he wanted something.

If he really tried to fight for custody, she wasn't sure she could win. After all, the divorce agreement did grant him eight visits a month.

"Nobody in this world loves her more than I do. Not even you," lan added quietly.

"Fine," Eleanor said, lifting her chin. "But you have to promise me one thing- Vanessa stays away from my daughter."

lan didn't hesitate. "Agreed."

Eleanor studied him, searching for any sign of dishonesty. "You'd better keep your word."

"I always do," lan replied, eyes narrowing.

Eleanor turned and walked out, her fists clenched, a wave of anger rising in her chest.

Outside, Laird was still waiting. When he saw Eleanor come out, he hurried over. "All done with Mr. Goodwin?"

"We're finished. You can go in." Eleanor's voice was curt.

Laird nervously knocked and entered. "Mr. Goodwin, it's time for the meeting."

"I know." lan took a sip of tea, then stood and headed for the conference room.