No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 376

“We’re still optimizing the reaction conditions. Short-term fluctuations are perfectly normal.” Eleanor answered coolly, then pulled up a set of comparative data.

Ian fell silent, listening as Eleanor explained each set of results. The conference room was quiet in the spring afternoon, with only the occasional birdsong drifting in from outside. Sunlight filtered in, casting a gentle glow over Eleanor and accentuating the air of academic pedigree about her.

Ian narrowed his eyes, studying her intently. His thoughts seemed to drift—whether he was truly paying attention or lost in his own world, it was hard to say.

Eleanor turned to look at him, waiting for feedback, only to realize Ian’s mind was elsewhere. Irritated, she snapped, “If you’re just here to waste my time, don’t bother coming next time.”

Ian blinked, snapped out of his daze. “I was listening.”

“Really?” Eleanor scoffed, snapping her laptop shut. “Then why don’t you repeat the last set of data I just covered?”

Ian frowned, his long fingers tapping twice on the table. “pH 7.8, reaction rate 0.45, conversion rate 92%.”

After he finished, he lifted his eyes, a hint of mischief flickering there. “Did I get it right?”

Eleanor’s expression only frosted over further. “That’s all for today’s report.”

At that moment, Ian’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen—his grandmother was calling.

He answered in front of Eleanor. “Hello, Gran.”

“That bracelet I asked you to carry for me last night—where did you put it?”

Ian’s brows drew together. “Bracelet?”

“Yes! You had it with you yesterday, but I couldn’t find it when I got home.”

“I’m sorry, Gran, I…” Ian’s mind went blank; he couldn’t recall what happened to it.

Eleanor stood up, surprised for once to see Ian looking unsettled. Had he given Vanessa the bracelet without telling Magdalen?

She didn’t stick around to listen—she pushed open the door and left.

A few minutes later, Ian left the conference room and strode quickly toward the elevator.

He had Gavin check the hotel CCTV, and soon enough, they located the license plate of the taxi he’d taken the previous night.

Ian got into his car and called the driver.

He briefly explained the situation, and the driver paused. “Didn’t I give your gift box to your sister?”

“When was this?” Ian’s frown deepened.

“About five minutes after you got out last night. I dropped it off at the hotel. A pretty young lady said she was your sister—I even took a photo.”

The driver sent the photo over. Sure enough, it was Serena. Ian thanked him and hung up.

Then he called Serena.

“Hey, Ian!” Serena answered, sounding a little guilty. She’d lied to him the night before and assumed he was about to scold her.

“Did you get a gift box from a driver last night? Where’s the bracelet that was inside?”

Just then, Serena’s call came through. Vanessa excused herself and moved to a quieter spot by the window.

“Hello, Serena.”

“Vanessa, has my brother called you?”

“Your brother? No. Why?”

“I’m really sorry, Vanessa. The bracelet from last night wasn’t actually a gift from Ian—it was meant for Eleanor from my grandmother. Ian picked it up by mistake, and I thought it was for you when I handed it over.”

Serena’s words wiped the color from Vanessa’s face. She stared down at the bracelet—Magdalen had intended it for Eleanor?

A moment ago, the bracelet had seemed beautiful. Now, it felt like it was burning her skin. She wanted to rip it off immediately.

“My brother just asked me to get it back from you. Vanessa, please don’t be upset!”

Vanessa drew a shaky breath, forcing a smile. “It’s fine. Just a misunderstanding. I’ll take it off and return it to him.”

After hanging up, Vanessa said a quick goodbye to her friends and left. Driving home, she kept glancing at the bracelet, her fingers digging into her palm as she finally managed to pull it off, her skin red from the effort.

A flush of humiliation and anger surged through her.

“A gift for Eleanor, huh?” Vanessa muttered bitterly, her eyes burning. Then she let out a short, mocking laugh. “Fine. I’ll deliver it to Eleanor myself.”

She turned her car and headed straight for Eleanor’s lab.