Chapter 496
The meeting wrapped up an hour later. Eleanor hurried out of the lab and made her way back to her office, ready to start drafting her proposal.
She’d barely settled in when lan appeared, leaning casually against her office doorway instead of coming inside.
“Heard you got a new car?” he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Eleanor ignored him, fingers flying over the keyboard.
“Let me guess-Xavier gave it to you?” lan narrowed his eyes, pressing further.
She finally looked up, her gaze cool. “Yeah, and so what? I can accept gifts from whoever I please p>
lan’s expression darkened. He clearly hadn’t expected that answer.
“So, are you serious about Xavier?” His voice was rough, almost strained.
Eleanor gave a sharp little laugh. “What business is it of yours p>
He straightened, tone going cold. “You’re right. It’s none of my business p>
With that, lan stepped back, tugged at his tie, and slipped back into his usual distant, icy demeanor.
Finally, Eleanor had her peace and could get back to work. She knew exactly what that look on lan’s face meant. He wasn’t over it-not over the fact that the woman who used to be utterly devoted to him now acted as if he didn’t exist.
lan didn’t leave the building, though. Instead, he stopped by Simone’s office, flipping through the list of trial participants until he pulled out the file for a patient named Mabel.
“Professor Langley, could you send me a daily report on this patient’s trial results?” he requested.
Simone looked at him in surprise. “Ian, do you know someone with leukemia p>
lan didn’t answer, just nodded politely. “Thank you for your help p>
With a brief nod, he turned and left.
The following week was a blur of preparation as everyone waited for the new drug’s approval. Eleanor shadowed Simone, meticulously tracking and recording each participant’s progress.
Amidst the chaos, Eleanor was also preparing her speech for the August medical summit.
With the start of summer break, Eleanor had signed Evelyn up for a three-day-a- week summer program at school. Evelyn loved it-she thrived on the creative activities and lively atmosphere.
Eleanor promised herself that as soon as this hectic period ended, she’d take Evelyn on a trip before school started again in September.
That afternoon, after wrapping up reports with Simone, Eleanor’s phone buzzed. Expecting a work message, she glanced at the screen, only to see a text from Mansfield Ellington.
“Eleanor, there’s a package coming your way today. Make sure someone’s home to receive it p>
She blinked in surprise. Had he sent her a gift?
“What did you send?” Eleanor replied, curiosity piqued.
“Can’t say. Top secret,” came Mansfield’s teasing response.
“Oh, come on. Tell me!” she pressed.
“It’s actually not for you,” he admitted.
Eleanor paused, caught off guard. “Then who’s it for p>
“It’s for Evelyn p>
That took her by surprise. Mansfield had sent a present for her daughter? “If you won’t tell me, I’ll just refuse the delivery,” she threatened playfully.
“Don’t! Fireflies don’t like being shut in too long,” he replied immediately.
Eleanor couldn’t help but smile, warmth filling her chest. “Thank you, that’s really thoughtful of you. Evelyn will absolutely love it p>
“I’ve been keeping them in an eco-friendly glass terrarium. They should last about a month,” he explained.
It wasn’t an expensive gift, but it was thoughtful and heartfelt. Eleanor could already picture Evelyn’s delight when she saw it.
“Thank you. Next time you’re back in town, dinner’s on me,” Eleanor promised. She honestly didn’t know how else to repay him.
“Deal! I’m off the first of October p>
“Perfect. I’ll get back to work for now, but we’ll make plans when you’re here.” “Sounds good. I’ll let you get back to it,” Mansfield replied, leaving her to her tasks.
Eleanor remembered how, after their last visit, Evelyn had asked several times where she could catch fireflies. She never imagined Mansfield would go out of his way to send her some.
That evening, not long after Eleanor got home, the delivery arrived a beautifully crafted glass terrarium filled with a dozen glowing fireflies, their tails twinkling like tiny stars. The living room looked almost magical.
When Joslyn brought Evelyn home, the little girl gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth in amazement. “Mom, are those fireflies? Are they really for me p>
Eleanor smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are. Mr. Ellington sent them especially for you p>
Evelyn pressed her face close to the glass, eyes shining. “Wow, they’re so pretty p>
As dusk fell, they left the lights off in the living room, letting the soft flicker of the fireflies fill the room with their gentle glow.
Later, after a shower, Eleanor came downstairs to find Evelyn using Joslyn’s phone for a video call with lan.
“Daddy, look! I want to show you my fireflies. Mr. Ellington caught them for me and sent them all the way from the research base p>
“Really? Do you like them?” lan’s deep voice sounded softer than usual.
Eleanor stiffened at the sound.
Evelyn nodded enthusiastically. “I love them, Daddy. They’re amazing p>
“If you’d like, I’ll take you to see even more fireflies someday,” lan promised, laughter in his voice.
Evelyn’s eyes lit up. “Really? You have to take Mom and me together, okay?” Just then, Evelyn glanced over her shoulder and noticed Eleanor standing behind her. She swung the camera around. “Daddy, look-Mom’s here too p>
Eleanor, fresh from the shower and dressed in a camisole nightgown, was caught off guard by the sudden attention. She quickly moved out of the frame. “Evelyn, time to get ready for bed p>
“Okay! Bye, Daddy!” Evelyn ended the call, then turned back to observe her fireflies in fascination.
Meanwhile, in the executive suite at Goodwin & Co., lan stared at the now-dark phone screen, his long fingers absently tracing its edge. A shadow flickered across his face as he swallowed hard, lost in thought.
Just then, his new assistant came in a young woman in a crisp white blouse and pencil skirt, fresh from her promotion. She’d unbuttoned her shirt just enough to show a hint of skin, her eyes sharp as she sized up lan’s solitary figure on the sofa, sensing the quiet loneliness that clung to him.
“Mr. Goodwin, would you like a massage to help you relax?” she offered sweetly.
“Leave,” lan said, his voice cold as steel.
She flinched, fumbling to button her blouse as her cheeks flushed crimson. She made a hasty exit, leaving lan alone with his thoughts and the silent, empty room.