Chapter 1272
An invitation to a private dinner with the Vice President was a great honor.
“Mr. Vice President,” lan said respectfully, “how is Major Ellington’s recovery p>
“Mansfield is recovering very well,” Garth replied, his tone filled with relief. “I’m inviting you both to thank you in person. My duties prevent me from traveling to Ashford City, so lan, I’ll need to ask you to bring Eleanor here p>
“Of course,” lan said in a low voice. “Eleanor and I will be there on time p>
“Excellent, it’s settled then. I’ll notify Eleanor myself.” Garth paused, his tone softening slightly. “Ian, I won’t interfere in your personal lives, but both you and Eleanor were crucial to Mansfield’s recovery p>
About ten minutes later, Eleanor, who was upstairs, also received a personal invitation from Garth, which she naturally accepted.
Not long after she hung up, a text from lan came through. [I’ll have my mom look after Evelyn in three days. We’ll leave for Kingston together p>
Eleanor replied with a simple, [Okay p>
For the next two days, Eleanor returned to her routine, juggling her life between the lab and picking up her daughter.
The third day arrived quickly. Ian came early to pick up Evelyn, as his private jet was scheduled to depart at ten.
Eleanor had packed a few simple outfits into a suitcase. At eight-thirty, she was in lan’s car, on the way to the airport.
Gavin was driving. In the back seat, Eleanor and lan sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Eleanor, however, kept glancing down at her phone as messages came in. She was wearing light makeup today, and her complexion was radiant. She was clearly looking forward to the trip to Kingston.
It seemed this trip was for more than just a thank-you dinner. She was probably going to formally meet her boyfriend’s family.
lan averted his eyes and stared out the window.
The heavy atmosphere in the car was palpable even to Gavin, who glanced back. “Mr. Goodwin, would you like some music p>
“Hm,” lan grunted distractedly.
Gavin immediately put on the soft instrumental music his boss usually listened to, hoping to ease the tension.
Eleanor remained in high spirits. The soothing music relaxed her nerves, and she too turned to look out the window, her mind drifting elsewhere.
lan glanced at her several times. Her beautiful profile was framed by long, fanning lashes. Her eyes sparkled, and the corners of her lips were slightly turned up, as if she were lost in a pleasant thought.
His chest tightened. Trying to sound offhand, he asked, “How’s Major Ellington doing now p>
Eleanor turned to him, her eyes shining with relief. “Quite good. He’s already been discharged from the hospital p>
Seeing her genuinely happy for another man, lan dropped his gaze, letting his eyes give nothing away. “That’s good p>
They arrived at the airport and quickly went through boarding procedures. The plane took off smoothly. The spacious and comfortable private jet was indeed quiet and pleasant.
The flight attendant was attentive. Eleanor rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the sea of clouds rolling by outside the window, lost in a daze for the entire flight.
lan, on the other hand, sat across from her, dealing with work. Gavin handed him several important documents to sign.
The two-hour flight passed in silence. When the plane landed at Kingston International Airport, a car from the Ellington family was already waiting for them.
They got into the car and headed directly for the hotel. The dinner was to be held that evening at the Vice President’s official residence. Garth’s schedule was so packed that even one meal had to be planned down to the minute.
The car drove through the bustling streets of Kingston and finally stopped in front of
a discreet, high-end hotel. A doorman stepped forward to open the door, and Eleanor and lan got out one after the other.
After checking in, they took their key cards and headed up to their rooms.
Eleanor glanced at the floor number and realized she and lan were on the same floor. They stepped out of the elevator together. As Eleanor walked toward her room with her suitcase, lan followed right behind her She found it odd. Were their rooms next to each other?
As it turned out, her guess was correct.
Just as she swiped her key card, she saw lan at the adjacent door. He also seemed
a little surprised. He looked at Eleanor and said, “I’m right next door. If you need anything, just call me p>
“Thank you,” Eleanor replied politely.
lan’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but he swallowed his words.
“Yes”, he thought, “it’s best to be polite”. Soon, Eleanor would be Mrs. Ellington. In the future, they would not only need to be polite but also maintain an appropriate distance.
Eleanor closed her door and let out a soft sigh. To be honest, she was a
little nervous about this trip to
formal
Kingston She wasn’t one for fo events and she felt the Ellington family didn’t need to go to such lengths to thank her.
But their arrangements were clearly meant to be a grand gesture of gratitude, which
only made Eleanor feel more pressured.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Mansfield.
“Hello p>
“Have you arrived p>
“Just got to the hotel. How are you feeling p>
“Much better. After a few more days of rest, I’m planning to start strength training,” Mansfield said, his voice cheerful.
“That’s great. I’m sure you’ll be back to your old self in no time,” Eleanor said.
They discussed his rehabilitation plan for a bit before ending the call. She would see him that evening.
In the suite next door, lan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, an empty hollow feeling creeping in he pictured that night’s dinner, where he would likely have to witness Eleanor and Mansfield officially becoming a couple.
Cóntent
Tonight, he would step out of her life for good.
From now on, even if they had to interact for their daughter’s sake or meet for work,
he would have to maintain the most appropriate distance.
Eleanor spent the afternoon resting and catching up on work at the hotel. Time flew by, and soon it was five-thirty.