Inside the café, Mansfield leaned toward Eleanor and asked quietly, "Should we avoid them? We can switch to a later flight, if you want."

Eleanor had already checked the schedule-changing tickets would mean waiting until eleven. She wanted to arrive early to prepare, and since Mr. Windsor was also on this flight, there was really no one she needed to avoid.

Once Eleanor sat down, Mansfield asked what she'd like to drink. She ordered a vanilla latte, and Mansfield went to the counter to place their order.

A few minutes later, York emerged from another corner, phone pressed to his ear. Eleanor gave him a small wave; York pointed at his phone in response and headed off in the opposite direction.

In the lounge, Henry and Vanessa were still sitting with lan.

Henry couldn't help but wonder why lan hadn't used his private jet this time. Why was he catching a commercial flight like everyone else? It wasn't as if lan didn't have time to file a flight plan.

Unless he'd chosen to forgo the jet himself. Henry's gaze lingered on lan, remembering how he'd just seen Eleanor with that young man in the café. Suddenly, the pieces clicked into place.

But was that even possible?

lan, giving up his private plane-for Eleanor? Flying commercial, just to be on the same flight?

The truth was, it only took twenty minutes from the rooftop helipad at Goodwin & Co. Tower to the airport. Ian could have easily arrived in Kingston ahead of everyone else.

"I'm going out for a smoke," lan said to Henry, then got up and left the lounge.

Outside, through the glass wall, lan's eyes found Eleanor's slender figure in the café. She was hunched over her phone, checking messages. Mansfield returned with two coffees, setting one gently in front of her.

Eleanor took her cup, warming her hands around it as she smiled up at Mansfield.

Mansfield lounged comfortably across from her, chatting in an easy, relaxed tone.

lan headed to the smoking room.

Eleanor was scrolling through the meeting agenda, while Mansfield was still stewing a bit over running into lan at the airport-and on the same flight, no less. As far as he knew, lan's private jet was always ready to go at a moment's notice.

"Did you and Dr. Windsor plan to take this flight together?" Mansfield asked, curious.

Eleanor hesitated briefly, then nodded. Mr. Windsor had indeed asked her last night which flight she was on, and she'd told him: the early morning one.

Mansfield shot her a knowing look, as if the explanation finally made sense.

In the smoking room, lan leaned against a marble pillar, the tip of his cigarette glowing in the dim light. The stale haze of someone else's cigarette drifted over, making him frown. He took another drag, then stubbed it out and stepped back into the terminal.

As he passed the café, Eleanor and Mansfield were still talking. The way Eleanor smiled up at Mansfield—bright and open—made lan's eyes narrow just a fraction.

Sensing something, Eleanor glanced to the side and, through the glass, caught lan's gaze at the doorway. Her smile froze at the corners.

Mansfield, sharp as ever, noticed the shift. He turned and met lan's eyes, giving him a polite nod.

lan paused for a moment, returned the nod, then walked back to the VIP lounge. Ten minutes later, Mansfield checked his watch. "They'll be boarding soon."

Eleanor and Mansfield boarded at the last call. In first class, Henry and Vanessa sat together in one row, York and lan in another.

Eleanor settled into her seat, while Mansfield's was a few rows behind. Mansfield turned to the well-dressed lady sitting next to Eleanor and, with his trademark charming smile, asked, "Excuse me, ma'am, would you mind swapping seats with me? My girlfriend tends to get a little airsick, and I'd like to sit with her."

The woman looked Mansfield up and down-handsome, polite. She might not have wanted to move, but his warm, winning smile made it impossible to refuse. "Of course, no problem," she replied cheerfully.

After switching, she glanced at Eleanor, thinking to herself, What a perfect-looking couple.

Mansfield's little announcement echoed through the quiet first-class cabin; everyone who needed to hear, heard it.

Henry turned around in surprise, studying Mansfield for a few moments. Even now, he still had no idea who this "boyfriend” really was.