Eleanor did her best to ignore the man's overwhelming presence. Though there was a small distance between them, the air around him felt strangely thin, charged with a silent, powerful tension that emanated from him. She frowned and picked up the program brochure from the table in front of her, pretending to read

it.

The ceremony soon began with a speech from the university president, who then offered a special, heartfelt thanks to one man in particular: Ian. He announced that lan would be donating a new state-of-the-art laboratory building to Ashford Medical University.

As the president finished his words of gratitude, lan rose from his seat with a modest smile, and the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause.

Next came speeches from distinguished alumni and student representatives, the program proceeding one item at a time. Eleanor sat ramrod straight, her gaze fixed on the stage, deliberately ignoring the formidable presence beside her.

Soon, Dr. Lyman Brown took the stage. He spoke emotionally about Ashford's illustrious sixty-year history, giving special mention to the researchers who had graduated from the university and gone on to make groundbreaking achievements. When Eleanor heard her father's name, her eyes welled up with a gentle warmth. A moment later, her own name and research accomplishments were mentioned among the younger generation of scholars, and she smiled, nodding in acknowledgment to Dr. Brown on stage.

lan turned his head to look at her, a flicker of emotion passing through his deep- set eyes.

When the lunch break was announced, Eleanor shot up from her seat as if escaping someone who made her deeply uncomfortable. Ian watched her retreating figure, his expression calm, his fingertips tapping twice on the armrest.

Eleanor went to the restroom first. On her way back, she stopped to speak with Joel. Not far away, Gavin Young stood beside lan, quietly briefing him on a work matter. Ian listened with narrowed eyes, his gaze once again sweeping in Eleanor's direction.

The ambient noise forced Joel and Eleanor to stand close together. He leaned in, listening intently to what she was saying, his expression gentle and focused.

lan's lips tightened.

The afternoon session began, and Eleanor returned to her seat just in time, still carrying the lightheartedness of her conversation with Joel. Ian noticed it, glanced at her, then looked away with a complex expression.

Next was the alumni donation segment. When the host announced lan's name and the astronomical sum he had pledged, gasps rippled through the audience, followed by a wave of enthusiastic applause.

lan rose elegantly, adjusted the buttons on his suit, and strode onto the stage to accept the university's certificate of honor. Tall and strikingly handsome, he looked like a natural center of attention. A group of female students in the audience began whispering among

themselves, some bold and others shy, all stealing glances at the man on stage.

Eleanor watched the brilliant man with a calm expression. Whatever else she felt

about him, his donation was undeniably worthy of the applause it received.

After a brief acceptance speech, lan returned to his seat.

The rest of the afternoon was scheduled for alumni panels and other events. Eleanor decided she would have lunch with Joel and then head back to the lab. As she was leaving however Dr. Lyman Brown pulted her aside to introduce her to several university leaders? lan was there, too, and they were all drawn into a few minutes of pleasantries before she could finally excuse herself.

Just as she turned to leave, lan's voice stopped her. "I've booked a table at a restaurant. We should have Joel join us for a meal."

Eleanor was about to refuse when he added, "Joel has already agreed."

She paused, and at that moment, Joel walked over. "Mr. Goodwin, Eleanor." "Joel, I'll get going then," Eleanor said, hoping to excuse herself from their lunch. "Eleanor, why don't you join us?" Joel interjected. "There are a few critical and sensitive aspects of the project I'd like your input on, to ensure both safety and feasibility."

Eleanor understood immediately. This was a working lunch.