Chapter 884
lan stared at the message for a few seconds, a slight frown creasing his brow, before typing a single word in reply: “Okay p>
He put his phone away, his gaze softening as it fell on his daughter’s carefree smile. He couldn’t help but smile back, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “After this, Daddy will take you to the mall to buy some school supplies p>
“Okay!” Evelyn nodded happily.
“Evelyn, Mommy has work this afternoon. Why don’t you go with Daddy?” Eleanor suggested.
“Okay, Mommy,” Evelyn agreed.
After paying the bill, lan said to Eleanor, “I’ll drop you off at home first p>
“There’s no need. I’ll get a taxi,” she replied flatly.
“I’m taking Evelyn to the mall near your place. It’s on the way,” Ian insisted.
“Mommy, just let Daddy drive you! I want to ride in the car with you,” Evelyn said, tugging on Eleanor’s arm.
Eleanor’s resolve softened. “Alright, fine p>
In the car, lan chatted with his daughter about school. When she grew quiet, content to play with her new toys, he glanced at Eleanor in the rearview mirror. “Xavier has run into some trouble abroad,” he mentioned, his tone casual.
Eleanor, who had been gazing out the window, was pulled back to the present. She met his eyes in the mirror, her expression questioning.
“Several of his cargo ships have been seized in disputed waters,” lan continued. “It involves some complex international disputes and massive fines. It’s going to be tricky to resolve p>
Though Eleanor didn’t understand the shipping business, she knew that having ships seized meant operational disaster, a damaged reputation, and client lawsuits, not to mention discontent among the board members.
“Is it serious?” she asked, a note of worry in her voice.
“Yes. It involves the laws of two different countries, so it will take time to negotiate,” lan confirmed, his gaze on her flickering with a complex emotion.
Concern shone in Eleanor’s eyes. Xavier was her friend and had helped her tremendously in the past. She truly hoped he could navigate this crisis.
lan watched the genuine worry on her face, his gaze deepening. He smoothly turned the steering wheel his voice steady. “In situations like this business negotiations and legal Channels are often too slow. What’s needed is some… higher-level intervention and influence p>
Eleanor’s gaze, which had drifted back to the window, snapped back to the rearview mirror, meeting his intense stare They were stopped at ared light, and lan’s eyes were fixed on her. “I still have some connections overseas. I might be able to put in a good word for him p>
The implication was clear: he could help Xavier, but whether he would depended
on her.
Her cool eyes met his for a few
seconds before she started to
speak. “If you could-” She stopped
herself, swallowing the rest of the
sentence. She knew what lan wanted. He wanted her to beg him, to create an opportunity for a transaction, or to put her in his debt. But dan and xavier were childhood friends. Whether he helped or not should depend on their relationship, not her.
A low chuckle escaped lan’s lips, breaking the heavy silence in the car. “Relax p>
he said, his tone unreadable. “Xavier is my brother. I’d help him even if you didn’t ask p>
Eleanor bit her lip.
“I’m not going to stand by and do nothing,” he continued. “I’ve already sent people to smooth things over on my end. I might also need to trouble the Secretary of State’s office to leverage diplomatic channels to help mediate p>
Eleanor was stunned. He was mobilizing that many resources to help Xavier? Even getting the Secretary of State involved?