Chapter 505
The next day, at one in the afternoon, Eleanor was at her desk, sorting through a stack of data reports, when a nurse knocked on her office door. “Dr. Sutton, Mr. Ackerly is asking for you in the conference room upstairs p>
Eleanor nodded. “Alright, I’ll be right there p>
Though she was technically a research fellow, people at the hospital never quite knew what to call her. Eventually, they’d settled on ‘doctor,’ and Eleanor hadn’t minded. The title lent a certain authority, and patients seemed to trust her more because of it.
She gathered her materials and made her way to the conference room upstairs. Simone and Callie were already there, and Mr. Ackerly was waiting, checking his watch. He smiled when he saw Eleanor. “Go ahead and take a seat, Eleanor. We’re waiting on one more guest p>
She assumed it was someone from another hospital and started chatting with Callie about the new medication trial. Two minutes later, someone entered the room.
Eleanor turned her breath caught. Ian walked in.
Just the sight of him made her chest tighten. She couldn’t help but think of last night, of him and Vanessa spending the night together at the Vesper Joy Hotel. It felt as if he brought Vanessa’s presence in with him; the very air seemed tainted.
Simone cleared her throat. “Eleanor, today’s meeting is just to update lan on the new medication trial p>
Eleanor barely heard her. She stood and began gathering her papers. “Professor Langley, why don’t you handle the update? I have work to finish downstairs p>
The others exchanged surprised glances as Eleanor pushed open the door and walked out. Simone looked at lan, uncertain. “lan, do you p>
It was obvious to everyone: Eleanor was deliberately avoiding him.
lan just gave Simone a small, easy smile. “It’s fine. Let her do what she wants p>
The meeting upstairs dragged on for another hour. When it ended, lan headed back down to Eleanor’s floor. He was checking his watch, ready to leave, when he overheard a conversation coming from the elevator hallway.
A neatly dressed, middle-aged woman was asking, “Excuse me, could you tell me where Miss Sutton’s office is p>
“Miss Sutton? You mean Dr. Eleanor?” the nurse clarified.
“Yes, that’s right. Miss Eleanor p>
The nurse noticed the woman was carrying a bag and asked, “May I ask how you know her p>
“Oh, my employer asked me to bring her some soup and pastries. She’s worried Eleanor’s working too hard p>
The nurse pointed down the hallway. “Third office on the left p>
“Thank you so much!” The woman smiled, then made her way to Eleanor’s office, bag in hand.
lan caught the whole exchange, frowning slightly as he watched the woman pass by. Curiosity piqued, he found himself following her toward Eleanor’s office.
A knock sounded at Eleanor’s door. She looked up. “Come in p>
The door opened-not the nurse, but a woman’s friendly face peeked in. “Miss Sutton, do you remember me p>
Eleanor studied her, something about the woman seemed familiar, though she couldn’t place her right away.
“I’m Hazel, the housekeeper from the Vaughns. Vivian’s nanny. Remember p>
Recognition dawned on Eleanor and she smiled. “Of course! What brings you here p>
Hazel set the insulated bag on Eleanor’s desk with a warm smile. “Mrs. Vaughn asked me to bring you some nourishing soup and pastries. She says you work too hard and need to take care of yourself p>
Eleanor was taken aback. Mrs. Vaughn had sent her soup?
“Oh, that’s so thoughtful of her. She really didn’t have to go to the trouble p>
“Not at all!” Hazel opened the pastry box with practiced cheer. “She worries about you, Miss Sutton. Everything’s fresh, just made this morning. You should have the soup while it’s still warm p>
Eleanor felt a gentle warmth bloom in her chest. No matter what, Mrs. Vaughn’s kindness touched her deeply.
“Please thank her for me. I really appreciate it p>
Hazel grinned. “It’s not just our Mrs. Vaughn who cares about you. Our young master does, too p>
Just then, at the open doorway, a tall figure lingered. The quiet hallway outside let lan hear every word exchanged inside.
“Please thank Mrs. Vaughn for her kindness,” Eleanor said sincerely.
“Of course, Miss Sutton. Just leave the containers when you’re done-I’ll come by this afternoon to pick them up p>
“Oh, that’s not necessary, Hazel. I’ll take them home, wash them, and return them next time.” Eleanor smiled, thinking of Vivian, who would need her care later.