Chapter 1385

Eleanor put on the dress and took a pair of simple pearl earrings from her small makeup bag. Her long hair fell naturally over her shoulders. It was an academic dinner, so looking neat and appropriate was all that mattered.

At seven-thirty sharp, Eleanor went downstairs. Ian was already waiting in the lobby.

He had changed into a dark blue suit, worn without a tie. The collar of his white shirt was slightly open, giving him a look that was both casual and composed.

When he saw Eleanor, a flash of admiration crossed his deep eyes.

He watched the woman walk toward him with a natural stride.

lan's throat tightened. How long had it been? How long since he'd last seen her walk toward him like this?

It felt like a century.

She used to bound toward him, full of vibrant energy, whether joyful, gentle, or shy. After the divorce, she became cold, distant, and deliberately avoided him. Talented men had started to appear by her side. She could smile brightly at anyone else, but he was the one she always ignored.

Now, under the lights, Eleanor approached gracefully, the light blue fabric of her dress swaying gently with each step.

Her long, dark hair cascaded gently down her back. She wore light makeup, looking elegant and gentle, her eyes as clear and bright as ever.

As she walked toward him now, her gaze was calm and open, as if the years of misunderstanding and distance had truly melted away.

It was as if they had returned to a starting point-a place where they could begin again.

lan's heart thudded heavily in his chest, and a quiet joy, like regaining something precious he had lost, began to spread through him.

The elevator had taken a while, so Eleanor asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

"No, I just got here," lan said, his voice natural as he suppressed the wave of emotion inside him. "That's a beautiful dress."

"Thank you." Eleanor's gaze also fell on him. "Your suit is perfect for the dinner too."

lan glanced down at his clothes. "Just something I threw on."

With his build and presence, everything in his wardrobe was custom-tailored. Even

a casually chosen outfit looked elegant on him.

"Let's go," Eleanor said to him, heading toward the hotel entrance first.

With a long stride, lan fell into step beside her. They crossed the street and walked onto the campus, which wasnow bathed in the evening twilight.

The cool summer night breeze swept over them, chasing away the last of the day's heat.

The auditorium was already brightly lit, and the faint sounds of music and laughter drifted from it, promising a lively evening.

When they arrived, they found more than twenty people already there-a mix of young people and middle-aged academics. Soft lighting, smooth jazz, and the aroma af red wine filled the air Tonight, scholars from around the world haď shed their serious daytime personas to enjoy a night of fun and conversation with friends and family.

"El, you're here!" a female academic greeted her. She then looked at lan beside her

in surprise and gave a knowing smile. "Boyfriend?"

Eleanor had told her she was divorced, so the assumption wasn't surprising.

Just as Eleanor was about to explain, lan spoke up with a slight smile. "A friend, and also her business partner."

He skillfully defined their relationship, which eased Eleanor's awkwardness.

The woman said an understanding, "Oh," but her smile remained enthusiastic. "Well, whatever the relationship, you two look really great together!"

It was a sincere compliment, and Eleanor didn't want to seem ungracious. She smiled and made the introductions. "This is Mr.

Goodwin." Then, to lan Made

she said,

"This is Ella from costaverde neurology specialist."