Chapter 1237

She remembered the cold, dismissive look lan had given her when she'd tried to act familiar with him. Now, looking at the way he gazed at Eleanor, his expression was unbelievably gentle.

"Faye, we should probably get back. We have a ton of data to sort through this afternoon," her female colleague's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

"Right." Faye looked away. The memory of that humiliating encounter made her shudder. She grabbed her bag and quickly walked out.

At Eleanor's table, lan was listening as she explained her latest breakthrough and its implications for the future of the Neural Interface Project.

"I believe that the ambitious three-year plan you proposed to the board will become a reality. At least you won't be in such a tough position," Eleanor told him.

lan's gaze sharpened, a flicker of surprise on his handsome face. When he had first proposed investing in the project, he had faced a board full of skeptics. She had pushed back against all opposition to support him, even creating the three-year plan to convince them.

They had always helped each other succeed.

Eleanor didn't eat much. She reached up to rub her forehead, clearly not feeling well.

Seeing her put down her fork, lan said with concern, "You should eat more. We still have an hour before the meeting."

As Eleanor shook her head, she suddenly sneezed. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and she swayed slightly.

lan's expression immediately turned worried. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Eleanor waved a hand. "I'm fine."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she sneezed twice more. The tip of her nose was red, and an unnatural flush spread across her face.

lan noticed it instantly. He stood up and came around to her side. Before Eleanor could react, his large hand was on her forehead. His brow furrowed.

"You have a fever," he said in a low voice. "You need to go to the hospital now."

"No," Eleanor said, pushing his hand away. "This afternoon's meeting is too important. I have to be there."

lan's frown deepened. "Nothing is more important than your health."

Eleanor knew she wasn't feeling well, but she couldn't miss this meeting.

"I can't. This meeting is to finalize our direction. Mansfield's condition can't wait any longer," Eleanor insisted. She had been in touch with Principal Maxwell last night, and his team had already traveled from Kingston. She couldn't be absent.

"The meeting can be rescheduled. Your health can't wait," lan countered, his brow furrowed.

"I know my own body," Eleanor said, pushing him away slightly. "Just finish eating so we can go to the conference room."

lan was already done. He picked up his car keys. "I'll take you to a nearby clinic to get some medicine first: We can still make the meeting." He added, "You be more clear headed after you take something."

This time, Eleanor didn't refuse. She followed him out of the restaurant and got into

the car, heading to a nearby affiliated hospital for medication.

A nurse at the hospital took her temperature. It was 102 degrees. The doctor prescribed a fever reducer. As Eleanor sat in the hospital corridor, lan brought her a cup of warm water. "Take this now."

Eleanor took the pills with the water. Seeing the time, they headed back toward the hospital exit.

lan's eyes never left her, worried she might collapse. The doctor's advice, after all, had been for her to rest.

Watching her walk toward the car, he sighed to himself. Like father, like daughter.

He remembered his father-in-law

had been the same way. While trying

to overcome a technical hurdle, he

had insisted on working in the lab despite a high fever No one could persuade him to stop. Now, Eleanor had inherited that same stubborn dedication to her research.

He hurried forward and opened the car door for her. As she leaned in, her head

bumped against the hand he had put up to shield the doorframe.

lan frowned again, his voice low. "If you feel unwell, tell me immediately."

"Mm," Eleanor murmured, leaning back against the seat and closing her eyes.

The fever reducer seemed to be kicking in, making her drowsy.

Three minutes later, her phone rang. She answered it. "Hello, Ryan."

"Eleanor, Principal Maxwell said to postpone the meeting for an hour, so you don't

have to rush," Ryan's voice came through the phone.

Eleanor was a little surprised. "Is Principal Maxwell delayed?"

"I think so," Ryan said. "We'll start at three-thirty."