No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 294

As long as Goodwin & Co. didn’t pull the plug on their partnership, the revenues of those eight companies would keep rising steadily.

That evening, Ian carried his sleeping daughter into the living room. Eleanor came over to take her, but five-year-old Evelyn was already almost four feet tall and pushing sixty pounds—Eleanor staggered under the weight.

“I’ll do it,” Ian said softly, and, seeing her struggle, took their daughter back into his arms.

With her arms suddenly empty, Eleanor frowned and stepped aside, watching as Ian carried Evelyn upstairs. She followed behind them.

In the bedroom, Ian laid his daughter on the bed with a gentleness that seemed impossible from a man so commanding in the business world. He knelt down and carefully slipped off her little shoes, then bent to kiss her forehead before he left.

When he walked toward the door, Eleanor quickly turned her face away.

Ian glanced at her, then headed for the stairs.

Downstairs, Joslyn’s voice floated from the kitchen. “Sir, won’t you stay for dinner?”

“No, thank you.” Ian’s refusal was brisk.

Monday.

Eleanor arrived promptly at the Vesper Joy Hotel. She’d already spoken with Ellington about the upcoming birthday. The hotel manager came over himself to discuss decoration themes.

“Keep it simple, nothing too elaborate. Let’s use champagne as the main color,” Eleanor instructed.

She stepped into the conference room and stopped short—Ian was sitting beside the head of the table.

Ellington walked over, lowering his voice. “Ms. Sutton, Mr. Goodwin dropped in unexpectedly. I didn’t have a chance to brief you.”

“Good morning, Ms. Sutton.” Ian rose to greet her, calm and collected.

That strictly businesslike attitude helped Eleanor steady herself. Her eight companies had extensive dealings with his firm, and in each, Ian held some stakes.

“There’s no need for you to attend routine meetings like this,” Eleanor said coolly.

The hotel manager jumped in, “Ms. Sutton, Mr. Goodwin is here to discuss next quarter’s partnership, and his visit just happened to coincide with our weekly meeting, so—”

Ian’s lips quirked in a faint smile. “Not happy to see me?”

Eleanor took her seat at the head of the table and gestured for everyone to sit. “Let’s start, shall we?”

The agenda began, and each department head gave their report.

Eleanor listened intently, jotting down notes from time to time.

Ian didn’t speak, simply observing.

When the marketing director began presenting the budget for next quarter, Ian suddenly interjected. “I recommend allocating more resources to new media, especially short-form video platforms—the results will be much stronger.”

“We’re already implementing Mr. Goodwin’s suggestion,” the director said, glancing nervously between Ian and Eleanor. “Market data shows it’s the right direction.”

He couldn’t help but wonder about the dynamic between these ex-spouses—whether they were still on the same page or not.

Eleanor saw right through him. “Ellington can handle this.”

Turning away, she answered. “Hello, Mr. Vaughn.”

“Miss Sutton, am I interrupting?” Xavier asked.

“Not at all. Go ahead.”

As she spoke, Ian’s tall frame brushed past her. Without looking back, he tossed her a curt reply—“I will.”

Eleanor blinked, realizing he was responding to her request to keep work and personal life separate.

From now on, whenever they met, he’d draw that line.

On the other end of the call, Xavier continued. “Miss Sutton, do you have company?”

“No one important. Please, go on.”

Eleanor’s words made Ian, who had already walked a few steps away, turn around and look at her, his expression clouded.

She met his eyes for a second, then walked off with her phone.

Xavier’s voice was warm. “My aunt asked if you’d like to join us for lunch.”

Mrs. Juliette Grayson’s invitation wasn’t something Eleanor could refuse. She smiled. “I’d be delighted.”

“Great, see you at noon.”