Chapter 1069

"Okay, let me know if there's any good news," Eleanor replied, as she also hoped Vivian would be raised by Xavier.

"Will do. We should grab a meal sometime. You get back to work," Xavier proactively ended the conversation.

Eleanor replied, "Sounds good."

At noon, Smith invited Eleanor out for lunch at a restaurant; he was craving Chinese food.

Just as they were seated, a familiar figure appeared at the restaurant's entrance. lan strode over and casually pulled out the chair next to Eleanor, sitting down. "Mind if I join you?"

Smith smiled at Eleanor. "El, I was hoping to invite Mr. Goodwin to join us to discuss this morning's new proposal."

Eleanor nodded, indicating she didn't mind.

lan's gaze rested on Eleanor. "I hear you've made new progress with your pharmaceutical research."

"It's still in the validation phase."

After a bit more conversation, the food arrived. Just as Smith brought up a new topic and Eleanor was about to respond, she was suddenly choked by a spicy flavor. She clutched her chest and coughed, instinctively reaching for a glass of water and taking a few large gulps.

At that moment, a large hand landed on her back and began to pat it gently. After a few pats, Eleanor, without looking up, pushed his hand away.

Across the table, Smith looked over with concern. "El, are you alright?"

Eleanor looked up with an embarrassed smile. "I'm fine, just choked a little." As she reached for the water glass again, her hand froze.

She saw three glasses on the table: one in front of Smith, one to her left, and the one to her right, which was half-empty—it was lan's.

lan was looking at her with a deep, intense gaze, his lips slightly pursed, a hint of a smile hidden in his eyes.

Eleanor pulled her hand back and used her left hand to grab the glass on her left, quickly taking two more sips.

Then, Eleanor looked up at lan. "Sorry, I'll have the waiter get you a new glass."

"It's fine," lan said, then nonchalantly picked up the glass and drank the remaining water.

This gesture made Eleanor look away. She had to treat it as a simple mistake, something that meant nothing.

"Regarding the drug formulation, if the validation is successful, can we expect results within two months?" lan asked, changing the subject.

"Theoretically, yes, but I'm not in a hurry Eleanor said. Since this medication

would eventually net

used by her daughter, she had to be extra cautious.

"I understand," lan nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."

Just then, a new dish arrived. "Let's eat," Smith encouraged.

This time, Eleanor ate more slowly, but the dish was still quite spicy. She fanned her mouth with her hand, letting out soft breaths, her cheeks flushed a fight pink, which made her look surprisingly childlike and cute.

This sight caught the eye of the man beside her, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought.

"Mr. Goodwin?" Dr. Smith's voice brought him back. "Do you have any objections to my proposed plan?"

lan cleared his throat to cover his lapse. "No, let's proceed as you suggested."

"I have to run an errand at the embassy in a bit. El, you can get a ride back to the lab with Mr. Goodwin," Smith said.

She had come in Smith's car.

"No, it's fine, I'll just—" Eleanor began, about to say she'd call a car.

"It's on my way. I'm heading to the lab anyway," lan said in a low voice.

Considering the recent potential danger, Eleanor nodded and didn't refuse.

In the car, Eleanor gazed out at the passing streetscape. Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up and saw it was Mansfield calling.

Eleanor looked at the screen and answered naturally, "Hello! Have you landed?"

"Just got to the airport. Are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you and Evelyn to dinner," Mansfield's clear, charming voice came through the phone.

fo

In the quiet car, a certain someone could hear everything clearly.

Eleanor was hesitating about whether to accept when a deep male voice from beside her cut in. "I'll take care of Evelyn. You go on your date."