So, he was Vanessa's father.

Suddenly, everything that had puzzled Eleanor made perfect sense.

lan's attention to this particular research project was it because Vanessa's father had tipped him off? As the lab's primary investor, lan had the final say on who got assigned to what. One word from him could change the entire direction.

"Sorry I'm late, let me introduce myself. I'm Roland Yeaton, project manager at Suncrest Ltd. There was a terrible traffic jam, so I'll take the first drink as my penalty," Roland said, raising his glass with a sheepish smile.

"Mr. Yeaton, no need for that, please, have a seat and eat something first. You don't want to upset your stomach," said Jude Vaughn, quickly standing to stop him.

Eleanor's thoughts spun. Vanessa's last name was Yeaton? Did that mean she wasn't the daughter of Roland's wife? With Roland's wealth, keeping a mistress and an illegitimate daughter abroad was hardly unusual.

Roland clearly didn't recognize Eleanor; when he stood up for the toast, his gaze skimmed right past her. She kept a low profile, doing her best to stay unnoticed.

While the group ate and chatted, Eleanor quietly pulled out her phone and searched for recent news about Suncrest Ltd. The latest headline leapt out at her -Suncrest Ltd. had been sued by three hospitals, who claimed the company's medical equipment had serious defects.

Eleanor glanced at Roland. He had the polished manners and easy smile of a gentleman, but when Jude Vaughn raised a critical point, Eleanor caught a fleeting glint in Roland's eyes-cold, calculating, the look of a man who would do anything for profit.

"Mr. Vaughn, I assure you, we're already in talks with several international equipment suppliers. The products we provide your hospital will be top quality, and if there are any problems, we'll take full responsibility," Roland promised smoothly.

After dinner, Eleanor offered Gwenda a ride home.

As soon as they got in the car, Gwenda's curiosity got the better of her. "So, Eleanor, what does your husband do?"

"He's in business," Eleanor replied.

"What kind of business? Don't tell me he runs a big company?" Gwenda eyed Eleanor's understated clothes, but the designer bag and watch spoke volumes.

"Just ordinary business," Eleanor said, keeping her tone casual.

Gwenda blinked in surprise. A man who could convince Eleanor to take a break from college in her sophomore year-was he really just running a small business?

"Do you have kids?"

"I have a daughter."

Gwenda sighed, "I'm so jealous! You've already ticked the 'motherhood' box at such a young age. Now you can focus on your career without worrying."

Eleanor smiled faintly. When they reached Gwenda's building, she pulled up to the entrance. Gwenda thanked her and hopped out.

Eleanor headed straight home. By the time she arrived, it was already nine o'clock.

"Welcome home, ma'am," Joslyn, the housekeeper, greeted her at the door. "Mommy, Mommy!" Evelyn's voice floated down from the stairs.

Changing out of her shoes, Eleanor went to greet her daughter. She'd noticed Serena's car in the parking lot earlier, so she knew Serena hadn't moved out yet.

She told Evelyn to go play for a bit and retreated to her room for a shower. Afterward, she opened her laptop and dug deeper into Roland's business dealings. It turned out Roland owned more than one medical equipment company -he actually held stakes in four other businesses closely tied to the medical field. If a hospital needed equipment, Roland could supply it all.

Eleanor compiled the information and sent it to Joy, asking her to look into Suncrest's legal history over the past few years.

Joy replied with an OK emoji.

Eleanor went looking for her daughter, but heard Evelyn's voice coming from lan's room. She pushed open the master bedroom door.

lan must have just come home too-he was still in his suit, tie slightly loosened.

Evelyn was sitting on the floor with her iPad, playing a word game, while lan watched her with a rare, gentle patience.

"Evelyn, honey, go play outside for a bit. Mommy and Daddy need to talk," lan said softly.

Evelyn obediently gathered her iPad and skipped out. Eleanor saw the serious look on lan's face and waited as he got up, walked over, and closed the door behind her.

Eleanor narrowed her eyes, uncertain what was coming.

"What have you been up to lately?" lan demanded.

She met his gaze. "Do I need to file a report with you every time I leave the house?"

"Why do you keep going to Ashford Medical University?"

Her heart skipped a beat. He knew?

lan pulled a few photos from his jacket pocket and handed them to her. "I'd like an explanation."

Eleanor looked down. Six photos-all of her and Joel, together in different places,

at different times, wearing different clothes.

She looked up at him. "You had me followed?"

lan's expression was calm, but there was a dangerous chill in his eyes.

Eleanor let out a quiet sigh. "I reenrolled in my sophomore classes. I'll be on campus pretty often from now on."

lan's eyes narrowed. "If you want to go back to school, I won't stop you. But stay away from Joel."

The lab hadn't been officially set up yet, so Eleanor couldn't reveal her real plans. The university cover story would have to do for now.

"Understood," she said, gripping the photos and turning to leave.

"Leave the photos," lan ordered.

She glanced down at them one last time-the photographer had done a good job, capturing moments that made her and Joel look genuinely happy.

Without a word, she shoved the photos back into lan's hand, opened the door, and walked out.

lan stared after her, his eyes icy. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed the photos into the trash.