Chapter 720
A little later, a car from the local TV station arrived to pick up lan; he had a one- on-one finance interview scheduled.
Half an hour after that, Mansfield dropped Eleanor off at her hotel so she could
rest.
“You’ve got three hours before your flight,” Mansfield said as he helped her with her bags. “Get some rest. I’ll make sure you get to the airport on time p>
Eleanor smiled appreciatively. “Mansfield, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I can just call a cab p>
He shook his head firmly. “No way. I wouldn’t feel right about that. I’ll drive you myself p>
“But that’s really p>
He cut her off, grinning. “Honestly, I like it when you let me help. Once I’m stationed at the base, I won’t have many chances to do you favors p>
She laughed and met his eyes. “Next time you’re in Ashford City, dinner’s on me p>
“Looking forward to it,” Mansfield replied.
After all, Eleanor had just done her father a favor. The least Mansfield could do was make sure she was looked after.
Meanwhile, lan was in the middle of his televised interview. The host smiled and asked, “Mr. Goodwin, we hear your biomedical company still isn’t public. Could you share with us why p>
lan leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady on the camera. “I want more than just to build a company or cash out with an IPO. I want to contribute something meaningful to humanity, to add a brick to the foundation others before me have laid. The pharmaceutical industry isn’t like any other; developing a new drug can take a decade or more. If we were only chasing quick returns, we’d take shortcuts. But I’d rather my team stay focused and dedicated and create medicines that truly save lives p>
There was a flash of admiration in the host’s eyes. “I’ve heard your ex-wife, Dr. Sutton, is also an expert in this field p>
lan’s expression softened. “She is her work on leukemia is outstanding. She’s someone I deeply respect p>
The interview continued with a few more technical questions, which lan answered smoothly before leaving the set.
The show’s producer hurried over, clearly excited. “Mr. Goodwin, your insights into the pharmaceutical industry were fantastic. We’re hosting a dinner tonight-would you do us the honor of joining p>
lan checked his watch, then declined politely. “Thank you, but I’m afraid I have a flight to catch p>
He left the studio in a rush, his car waiting outside.
“Airport, please,” lan said succinctly as he climbed in.
Glancing at the time, the driver stepped on the gas, heading straight for the highway.
But rush hour traffic soon swallowed them up, and lan stared at the endless line of brake lights ahead, his fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Goodwin,” the driver tried to reassure him. “Once we get past this stretch, it’ll open up p>
lan forced himself to nod and wait. When they finally broke free from the
congestion, the driver sped up, weaving deftly through traffic.
With just twenty minutes to spare, lan made it to the terminal.
He strode toward the VIP entrance, where an airport attendant was already waiting for him. “Mr. Goodwin, right this way. We’ve arranged a fast-track for you p>
lan nodded and followed, scanning the busy terminal as they moved through the private corridor, clearly searching for someone.
Rounding a corner, lan stopped short. Through the glass wall by the boarding gate, he saw Eleanor standing with Mansfield, face-to-face.
Mansfield leaned in, saying something to her, and Eleanor tilted her head up with a small, relaxed smile.
lan’s expression darkened instantly, and he froze in place. The attendant noticed but didn’t dare urge him on.
Just then, Mansfield patted Eleanor on the shoulder, said a few final words, and Eleanor waved to him as she handed over her boarding pass and disappeared through the gate.