Chapter 31
“Yes p>
“No problem—that’s right up my alley. I’ll have the photos for you within a week p>
Eleanor decided to try him out first, keeping things strictly business for now.
“How much do you charge p>
“I’ll need to see your husband’s information first. Otherwise, it’s hard to give you a quote p>
Eleanor unlocked her phone and pulled up a picture. “His name’s lan. He’s the CEO of Goodwin Investments p>
“Wait, your husband is lan Goodwin-the richest man in Ashford City p>
Seeing the shock on his face, Eleanor slipped her phone back into her purse. “If you think this is too much for you, we can forget it p>
“No, no, I’ll take the job! As long as you can pay, I’m in.” The private investigator’s eyes sparkled. This was a goldmine for him.
He hadn’t even realized lan was married. Mrs. Goodwin certainly kept a low profile.
Since he seemed confident, Eleanor continued to negotiate. They finally settled on three hundred thousand.
It was steep, but for her daughter’s custody, Eleanor gritted her teeth and agreed. “You’ll need to cover some travel expenses upfront—about a hundred thousand.” Eleanor nodded and immediately transferred the money.
With her daughter gone and nothing urgent to do the lab project wouldn’t start until after the holidays-Eleanor checked the time and dialed Joel’s number. “Hey p>
“Joel, want to grab lunch together?” Eleanor asked.
“Sure! My treat p>
“Let’s decide when we meet,” Eleanor replied with a laugh.
She met Joel at the same bistro Joy had taken her to last time.
“Ellie, you’d better be prepared-lan’s investment is almost a given,” Joel said, cradling his mug of coffee.
Eleanor nodded. “I know p>
It wasn’t that she intended to keep it from lan; she just wanted to wait until she officially joined the lab. After all, once the divorce was public, her career would be out in the open anyway.
As Eleanor and Joel chatted and joked, someone entering with friends paused at the door, catching sight of them—it was Henry. He looked surprised to see Joel and Eleanor together.
“Henry, what are you staring at? Come on, let’s eat,” his friend called, slinging an arm around his shoulders.
Henry had meant to say hi to Joel, but seeing how animated he and Eleanor were, he decided to leave them be and followed his friends to their private room.
Once inside, one of his friends clapped him on the shoulder. “Henry, did you ask about that thing for me? I’m serious about working with Goodwin & Co p>
“Oh! I’ve been crazy busy and forgot. I’ll ask right now,” Henry said apologetically, pulling out his phone and dialing lan’s number.
“Henry, what’s up p>
“Ian, about your new development project-I’ve got a friend who runs a design firm and he’s really interested. Any chance you could meet him sometime p>
“Let’s talk after the holidays. I don’t have time before then p>
“Sure, no rush. Oh, by the way, I just saw your wife-she was having lunch with Joel at the restaurant p>
“Is that so?” lan answered, his tone unreadable.
“Did you two have a fight or something p>
“No p>
Henry gave an awkward laugh. He wasn’t the meddling type anyway. “Alright, we’ll talk later. I’m eating with friends. Catch up soon p>
After he hung up, his friend nudged him. “Ian’s married? Wasn’t he dating that piano prodigy, Vanessa? I actually saw them together at the airport once, heading abroad p>