No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 323

Ian’s gaze drifted back to Xavier. “You came back and didn’t even let us know.”

Xavier offered a small smile. “I just arrived this morning. Figured I’d invite you both to dinner tonight.”

“Any progress with your sister’s case?” Ian asked.

Xavier’s face grew more somber. “Still working on it.”

Eleanor hadn’t asked about Xavier’s sister before, but seeing the look on his face, she realized things must be serious.

“If you need anything, just say the word.” Ian reached out and patted Xavier’s shoulder.

Xavier nodded. “I’ll head out now.”

He turned to Eleanor. “If you need any follow-up research, just let me know.”

Eleanor nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Vaughn, for your help.”

Evelyn, her round face full of curiosity, looked up at the three adults talking. As Xavier made to leave, she gave a polite little wave. “Goodbye, Mr. Vaughn!”

Xavier grinned at her. “Goodbye.”

The elevator doors slid shut.

Eleanor suddenly felt Ian’s eyes on her.

“What kind of data needs outside help?” His voice was unreadable, but his gaze had grown noticeably colder.

She drew her daughter closer and replied coolly, “Some research materials from Mr. Vaughn’s lab.”

Ian fell silent. He knew just how much Eleanor’s research mattered to him; if she could get support elsewhere, it was a good thing.

Eleanor knelt down beside her daughter. “So, what brings you here?”

Evelyn hugged her mother’s neck and snuggled closer. “I missed you, so Daddy brought me.”

Ian’s tone was even. “She insisted on seeing you.”

Eleanor straightened Evelyn’s collar. “Are you hungry? Mommy has some snacks for you.”

“Yes! I’m starving,” Evelyn replied, her eyes lighting up. She’d been stuffed at her grandmother’s house, but she still wanted something tasty.

Eleanor led her to the break room. Xavier had brought far too many treats this time; after sharing a few boxes with the lab team, she’d saved two boxes of pastries—just enough for her daughter.

Just then, Valery walked in for a drink of water. “Eleanor, those pastries Mr. Vaughn brought are amazing.”

Eleanor smiled. “Are they?”

Valery opened her mouth to say more, but as soon as she saw Ian standing by the door, one hand in his pocket, she shrank back and made a quick exit.

Ian’s unreadable gaze fell on Eleanor, lingering on the restaurant logo stamped on the pastry box. It wasn’t hard to guess that Xavier had brought her lunch.

“These are delicious! Did you buy them, Mommy?” Evelyn asked, happily munching on a pastry.

“No, someone gave them to us.”

“Who gave them to us?” Evelyn pressed.

Eleanor smiled. “Mr. Vaughn did.”

She pushed open the executive office door. Ian was standing before the floor-to-ceiling windows, waiting.

Originally, Simone was supposed to attend, but something had come up, so Eleanor was the only one there for the funding discussion.

“Have a seat,” Ian said, gesturing to the sofa area.

As soon as Eleanor sat down, the secretary brought her a cup of hot tea. The familiar scent drifted up immediately—green tea, the same kind she used to drink at home before the divorce. She recognized it in a heartbeat.

She looked up at Ian, but he was already flipping through files, his expression unchanged.

“There’s no problem with the additional funding, but I have one condition.” Ian met her eyes, his gaze sharp. “You’ll need to give me weekly updates on the progress—personally.”

Eleanor frowned. “I can write you a report.”

“You know I don’t understand the medical jargon. Your reports are too detailed—I can’t follow them,” Ian said.

Annoyance flickered in Eleanor’s eyes, but after a moment, she relented. “Fine.”

Ian tapped his fingers on the file. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, “Any plans for New Year’s?”

Eleanor hadn’t expected that. Her reply was cool: “That’s none of your concern.”

“Evelyn said—”

“That’s not what we’re here to discuss.” She closed the file, her tone distant.

Ian watched her for a moment, then pulled an invitation from his drawer and slid it across the table. “The Goodwin family is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner. Grandma would like you and Evelyn to come.”