"Mr. Ackerly asked me to take good care of you, and I wouldn't dare let him down," Mansfield said with a warm smile.

Out in the parking lot, Vanessa had slipped into the car to rest, but lan remained outside, making a phone call. By coincidence, Mansfield's car was parked just across from them.

When lan hung up, he caught sight of Mansfield stepping over to open the door for Eleanor, helping her into the car with a gentleman's grace. Afterward, Mansfield gave lan a polite wave before getting in himself and slowly driving out of the lot.

Vanessa, sitting quietly in the car, had noticed the exchange between Mansfield and Eleanor. She found herself turning Mansfield's name over in her mind.

All she knew was that he was military, though she wasn't sure about his rank. He looked so young—at best, probably a major. If Eleanor remarried and ended up with a young officer, well, Vanessa supposed that was good fortune. Frankly, she'd much rather see Eleanor marry a military man and move far away from Ashford City than have her end up with Xavier. Life as an officer's wife would be quieter, away from all the drama.

As long as they weren't in the same social circle, that was enough.

Out of the corner of her eye, Vanessa noticed lan still standing in the same spot, eyes following the car as it disappeared down the road.

lan finally slid into the driver's seat and turned to her, "Let me take you back to your hotel."

"I thought we were meeting Henry for lunch?" Vanessa asked.

"I have something to take care of," lan replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Vanessa nodded, sweet and understanding as always. "Alright, you handle your business. I'll be fine on my own."

When they arrived at the hotel, Henry was already waiting in the lobby. He watched Vanessa step out of the car, just as the passenger window rolled down and lan's sharp features came into view.

"lan, aren't you joining us for lunch?" Henry called over.

"Can't. I have an interview," Ian replied.

"Alright then, I'll take care of Vanessa. Good luck," Henry said with a nod.

lan gave a small nod in return and drove off.

"Ow!" Vanessa suddenly winced, letting out a small gasp of pain.

"What's wrong?" Henry asked, concern etched on his face.

"It's nothing-my arm's just a bit swollen from the blood draw." She pulled up her sleeve, revealing a bluish bruise at the crook of her elbow.

"Jeez, did they have to be so rough?" Henry's sympathy was immediate.

"It's okay. Ian just wanted to make sure I got a thorough check-up this time. He's worried about my health," Vanessa explained.

Henry watched her for a moment, uncertain whether lan was caring for her or just putting her through unnecessary pain.

Later, in the restaurant, Henry ordered a hearty meal packed with iron and nutrients to help Vanessa recover.

Across town, Mansfield and Eleanor had just sat down at a cozy bistro and were scanning the menu.

"Their specialty here is the steamed sea bass. It's fresh-thought you might want to try it," Mansfield suggested.

"That sounds good," Eleanor replied softly.

Mansfield could tell her mood was off-probably because of lan and that girl. He had never pressed Eleanor for details, but he knew lan was the one who'd strayed during the marriage. Now, seeing lan flaunt his new relationship in front of Eleanor, it was no wonder she was upset.

Meanwhile, at the official guest hotel, lan was seeing Dr. York Windsor off to his car. "Drive safe, Dr. Windsor."

"Thanks, I've still got plenty to do back at the lab," York replied, then hesitated. "Eleanor hasn't left yet, has she?"

"No, she's still here," lan answered.

York nodded, not wanting to intrude further. "Alright, I'll leave you young folks to

it."

After York left, lan's phone buzzed with a call from Gavin.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Goodwin, I've tracked down the flight details. Miss Sutton booked the 6:30 p.m. flight tonight. There's just one seat left-I went ahead and reserved it for you," Gavin reported, taking the initiative.

The tension in lan's brow eased a little. "Alright," he said simply.

"The seat's in the same row as Miss Sutton's," Gavin added.

"Got it," lan replied.