Lately, Jude Vaughn had been run ragged trying to set up the new research lab- she was visibly thinner from the stress. She nodded and said, "Alright, I'll take you over."

After speaking, Eleanor turned back toward lan, then led Jude toward him.

"Jude, whose party is this, anyway?" Eleanor asked, curiosity lacing her words.

"It's Suncrest Ltd.'s tenth anniversary celebration," Jude replied.

Eleanor clenched her fist in silent exasperation. Jude, why didn't you tell me sooner?

lan was still deep in conversation with the elderly gentleman from earlier. When he saw Eleanor approaching, he wrapped up his chat and turned his attention to her.

Eleanor stopped in front of lan and, her expression unreadable, gave a brief introduction. "Jude, if you have something to say, just talk to him directly."

Jude blinked in surprise, then quickly composed herself and offered her hand with

a warm smile. "Mr. Goodwin, it's a pleasure to meet you."

lan shook her hand, his own smile polite and measured. "Mr. Vaughn, the pleasure's mine."

"On behalf of the entire research team, thank you for your generous support. Without your investment, our lab wouldn't have come together on schedule," Jude said earnestly.

"You're too kind," lan replied, still smiling.

"Allow me to toast you." Jude reached for a glass of red wine from a passing server's tray and handed another glass to Eleanor. "Ellie, come on, let's raise a glass together."

Eleanor accepted the wine, raising her glass in a half-hearted toast without so much as glancing at the elegant, magnetic man standing before her.

"Mr. Goodwin, we'd love to have you visit the lab sometime. If you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to share them. We're eager to listen," Jude continued, her enthusiasm infectious.

"I'll be sure to stop by when I get the chance," lan replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

"Ellie, enjoy your evening with Mr. Goodwin. I need to catch up with Mr. Yeaton about some equipment matters." Jude gave Eleanor a meaningful look before slipping away.

Not far off, a pair of watchful eyes lingered on their group. Vanessa sipped her wine, brooding. Among other men, she always maintained an air of aloof, untouchable elegance-like something out of reach, like the moon's cool glow. But when her gaze fell on lan, that icy reserve melted into something softer, almost tender.

She overheard two men chatting beside her.

"With Miss Shannon and Mr. Goodwin on such good terms, Suncrest Ltd. is basically back from the dead. They'll have no shortage of projects now."

"I heard Goodwin & Co. poured three billion into that lab, and Suncrest Ltd. is handling all the medical equipment."

"The Yeatons just hit the jackpot. That lab is a major government-backed project. With Goodwin & Co. backing them, they're set for life."

Vanessa smiled, the corners of her mouth curling up as she listened.

Back with Eleanor, as soon as Jude disappeared into the crowd, she was ready to leave. She turned on her heel to go, but lan's voice stopped her. "I'll have Gavin drive you home."

In other words, he wasn't planning on leaving with her.

"That's not necessary. I can manage on my own," Eleanor replied, not bothering to hide her indifference.

lan looked as if he was about to say something else, but Vanessa stepped forward just then. "Ian, Mr. Brown's heading out. Do you want to see him off?"