Xavier set down his fork and said, "It wasn't just me. Someone else went too."

"Oh?" lan narrowed his eyes, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "Who?"

"His name's Mansfield. He works in the military district-a major general, actually." Despite Xavier's calm tone, a trace of anxiety crept onto his face.

lan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Feeling the pressure now?"

It was only last night that Xavier had learned he wasn't the only one pursuing Eleanor. Now, a formidable rival had appeared-one he knew nothing about.

lan paused mid-slice, his knife hovering over the steak. "I've actually met Major General Ellington before."

Xavier's gaze sharpened. "You know him well?"

He never imagined he'd one day be fishing for details about a rival in love from lan of all people.

lan cut a piece of steak and brought it to his mouth with practiced ease. "Mansfield isn't just anyone. His family background is far beyond what you or I could hope to reach." He looked up, locking eyes with Xavier. "Especially his father."

Xavier's brow furrowed. "Who is his father?"

lan arched an eyebrow, a sly glint in his eyes. "Think about it—the Ellingtons in politics."

Xavier's glass of wine froze halfway to his lips. He frowned, running through the list of powerful Ellingtons in government, and then his head snapped up in sudden realization.

lan, ever the perceptive friend, caught the change immediately and nodded. "You've got it."

Xavier remembered now-lan had once mentioned Eleanor had met with the Secretary of State in Kingston.

"So that's it." Xavier sipped his wine, trying-and failing to hide the turmoil inside him. He glanced up, voice tight. "How long have Eleanor and Mansfield known each other?"

lan's expression grew unreadable, his gaze distant. Instead of answering, he said quietly, "Their relationship is closer than you think."

Xavier drained the last of his wine, pressing his lips together in frustration.

lan watched him, something flickering in his eyes-an emotion he kept carefully hidden.

The blow had landed hard. Xavier was reeling.

He couldn't deny that Mansfield was impressive—a brilliant, dazzling man with flawless credentials. In fact, he outshone both Xavier and even lan in every way.

With his family's influence straddling both military and political spheres, Mansfield Ellington was on a level no businessman could ever hope to reach.

To be appointed a major general at such a young age-his future was practically limitless.

For the first time, as heir to a financial empire, Xavier felt just how powerless wealth could be in the face of true authority.

Without a word, lan refilled Xavier's glass, then raised his own. "Let's have a toast."

Xavier clinked his glass against lan's. For a moment, neither spoke—each lost in his own thoughts.

When Henry walked in, he immediately sensed the tension hanging in the air.

He glanced from lan, who seemed calm as ever, to Xavier, who looked as though he'd just lost the will to live.

Did Xavier just get dumped?

Wait-were he and Eleanor ever actually together?