No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 312

Eleanor felt a gentle warmth bloom in her chest. “Alright, Professor Langley.”

The next morning, Eleanor’s phone rang early. It was a call to confirm her attendance at the conference. Moments later, Gina stopped by, volunteering to take care of Evelyn for the day.

“I know you’ve got the annual conference. Leave her with me—you can rest assured she’ll be fine,” Gina said kindly.

Eleanor thought to herself, Ian was out of town on business, and Vanessa was sure to be with him.

“Thank you, Aunt Gina. I appreciate it,” Eleanor replied with a grateful smile.

Evelyn climbed happily into the Goodwin family’s car, chattering excitedly with the driver. With her daughter in good hands, Eleanor returned to double-check her speech. She would be representing the entire Ashford Medical University lab this time—there was no room for error.

Meanwhile, in a nearby café just off the Ashford campus, Faye clutched her coffee mug, looking thoroughly disgruntled.

Gwenda tried to comfort her. “Faye, don’t be upset. Eleanor was chosen by Dr. Lyman himself to represent the team.”

“Why is it always her?” Faye grumbled, unable to hide her frustration. “My research results lately haven’t been insignificant. Why couldn’t it have been me?”

Gwenda knew better than to argue. Deep down, she had to admit—Eleanor’s achievements really did outshine everyone else’s.

“At least we still get to attend the conference tonight, right?” Gwenda offered, hoping to cheer her up.

Just then, Faye’s phone buzzed with a call from Vanessa. She answered quickly, “Hello?”

“You’re going to the medical conference tonight, right?”

“I am.”

“Good. I’ll see you there.”

“You’re coming too?”

“Yeah, Ian’s taking me.”

After the call, Gwenda leaned in with a grin. “So, when are your sister and Mr. Goodwin finally getting married?”

“Should be soon,” Faye replied, sounding half-exasperated, half-proud.

Gwenda looked at her with envy. Once Ian became her brother-in-law, the best lab resources would surely fall right into Faye’s lap. And as for Eleanor—

Even if Ian still felt some lingering affection for his ex, Vanessa would never sit by and let Eleanor grow stronger, would she? There was no way Vanessa would be generous enough to let her husband’s former wife have first pick of the Goodwin Institute’s best resources.

By five in the evening, traffic around the International Convention Center was at a standstill. Eleanor found herself crawling forward in a long procession of cars.

Her phone chimed with a new message.

She glanced at it:

“I’m back.”

It was from Mansfield Ellington.

A soft laugh escaped her lips as she typed a reply.

“How long is your leave?”

“Two weeks. Where are you?”

“I’m at the conference center tonight for a presentation.”

“I’ll come by now. Will I make it in time?”

“Traffic’s terrible out here.”

“No problem. There’s a helipad on the roof.”

Eleanor blinked in surprise. “Are you actually coming?”

After a brief exchange, Ian turned to her. “How’s Evelyn been lately?”

Eleanor ignored him, pretending she hadn’t heard.

Ian’s brows knit together for a moment, but he turned back to face the stage, his expression unreadable.

There were still about ten minutes to go before the conference began when Mansfield Ellington strode in, dressed in full military dress uniform. The epaulettes on his shoulders gleamed beneath the lights, drawing every eye in the room.

It was rare to see someone in uniform at an event like this—let alone someone so strikingly handsome and composed.

Every woman in the hall seemed to sit up a little straighter.

Vanessa, seated in the sixth row, caught sight of him and froze. Wasn’t that the same man she’d seen at Mrs. Ellington’s dinner party? Who was he?

Ian, too, looked up and saw Mansfield. He glanced over at Eleanor, just in time to see her stand and meet Mansfield’s gaze with a smile.

He looked away, his face impassive.

The room was crowded, but Mansfield’s eyes found Eleanor instantly. Unconcerned by the attention, he smiled and walked right toward her.

Eleanor stepped out into the aisle to greet him, and the two of them stood off to the side, chatting quietly.

Vanessa stared, her breath catching. How did Eleanor know a man like that?

But just as quickly, Vanessa’s lips curled in a cold, mocking smile. So much for Eleanor’s icy reserve—put a remarkable man in front of her, and her true colors showed. Just like when she’d gone after Ian all those years ago, stopping at nothing to get what she wanted.

“Mr. Ellington, why don’t you find yourself a seat?” Eleanor suggested politely.

Mansfield regarded her with a half-smile. “Alright.”

“If you need to leave early, you—”

He cut her off, still smiling. “I’ll wait for you to finish.”