Chapter 825

“Well, perhaps another time,” Simone said with a nod.

Just then, Laura peeked into the room. “Professor Langley, Mr. Goodwin is here to

see you p>

Simone smiled. “Please, show him in p>

A moment later, lan entered. He was wearing a dark gray suit today, which softened his usual intense and intimidating presence, making him seem more approachable.

“Professor Langley, are you feeling any better?” he asked, walking to her bedside with concern in his voice.

“Much better, thank you for asking,” Simone replied with a warm smile.

“You’re a cornerstone of our lab. We’re all hoping for your speedy recovery,” lan said.

Simone’s eyes brightened. “It was very kind of you to make a special trip to Kingston p>

“It was no trouble at all. It’s the least I could do,” lan said, his gaze shifting to Eleanor, who was standing by the bed.

At that moment, Eleanor stood up. “Professor Langley, I’m going to find your doctor and get an update on your condition p>

“Of course, dear. Go ahead,” Simone nodded.

After Eleanor left, lan excused himself shortly after and followed, heading in the direction of the doctors’ offices.

He found Eleanor speaking with Dr. Lyman. When lan walked in, the doctor assumed he was also family and looked at him seriously as he continued his explanation of Simone’s condition.

lan listened intently while Eleanor nodded and asked several technical questions.

He leaned quietly against the desk, and Dr. Lyman made sure to include him in the conversation.

“We understand. Thank you, Dr. Lyman,” Eleanor said gratefully.

“Of course,” the doctor smiled. “That young man, Mr. Mansfield, has also asked

me several times to take special care of Professor Langley p>

Dr. Lyman’s knowing glance made Eleanor’s cheeks flush. He clearly misunderstood her relationship with Mansfield.

lan heard this, and though his expression remained neutral, his eyes darkened almost imperceptibly. He gave Dr. Lyman a slight nod. We’ll be counting on you for her recovery plan p>

“Rest assured, Mr. Goodwin. It’s my duty,” the doctor replied politely.

They left the office one after the other. In the hallway, Eleanor instinctively quickened her pace to create some distance between them.

“Eleanor, take care of yourself, too, not just Professor Langley,” Ian’s steady, emotionless voice came from behind her.

She pretended not to hear and

walked faster. A

short while later dan

returned to say goodbye to Simone

he had a flight back to Ashford City

to catch.

As he stepped out of the room, he saw Mansfield talking with Eleanor in the hallway.

Mansfield was dressed in stylish casual clothes, exuding the effortless charm of old money.

“Mr. Goodwin,” Mansfield greeted him with a nod.

lan returned the nod politely, then looked at Eleanor. “I have to get back to our daughter p>

Eleanor gave a faint, “Mm p>

“When are you coming back?” lan asked, his tone sounding unnervingly like a husband asking his wife.

Eleanor frowned in annoyance, but thinking their daughter might have asked him

to, she replied, “My flight is at three this afternoon p>

lan nodded, then walked past her toward the elevator.

Mansfield watched Eleanor, recalling the image of her and lan crossing the street together the night before. A flicker of disappointment crossed us face content belongs.

“I’ll take you to the airport this afternoon p>

“You don’t have to do that. I can get a cab,” Eleanor said, knowing he must have

his own work to attend to.

“It’s no trouble at all. Don’t be a stranger,” Mansfield insisted, his tone firm but gentle.