No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 426

Byron said, “Mr. Goodwin wants to wait for you and head back to Ashford City together.”

“Daddy, are you staying with us tonight?” Evelyn asked, her little face turned up expectantly.

Before Ian could answer, Eleanor jumped in. “Evelyn, there aren’t enough beds where we’re staying.”

“But—but Daddy can sleep with us!” Evelyn protested, her wide eyes full of hope.

Still so young. She doesn’t understand that moms and dads don’t just automatically sleep together.

Byron, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but smile at Evelyn’s innocence before quietly excusing himself from the room.

Eleanor said nothing, but her face made her feelings perfectly clear—she was not interested in the idea.

Ian’s expression darkened a little as he looked at his daughter. “Daddy has his own place to stay tonight, sweetheart. You just sleep with Mommy, okay?”

At that moment, Byron returned. “Mr. Goodwin, the technical exchange meeting starts in ten minutes.”

Ian crouched to Evelyn’s level. “Daddy has some work to discuss first, but I’ll come find you after, okay?”

“Okay!” Evelyn nodded, satisfied.

After Ian left, Garrison entered. Eleanor took the opportunity to ask about Ian’s visit. Garrison nodded, confirming, “Yes, Meridian Dynamics has an ongoing tech partnership with us. Mr. Goodwin comes over for meetings a few times every year.”

Eleanor fell silent. She had never really known the scale of Ian’s business before—she still didn’t. The only thing she knew for certain was that his projects spanned everything from investment banking to tech and even medical research.

He was the archetype of a modern businessman: sharp, visionary, and always able to use every resource at his disposal to his advantage. But men like that were often deeply selfish and astonishingly arrogant.

As evening fell, Mansfield Ellington arrived. He, of course, had heard that Ian was in town.

He glanced at Eleanor, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. “I heard your ex-husband is here.”

Eleanor nodded, her tone turning cool. “He’s here for work.”

Mansfield had, in fact, already checked up on Ian’s visit—it was prearranged, but the timing was almost too coincidental, as if Ian had gone out of his way to be here while Eleanor was around. Could it be—

“Mr. Ellington, let’s go eat! I’m hungry,” Evelyn announced, breaking the tension.

“Of course! Come on, I’ll take you and your mom to get something delicious,” Mansfield replied with a cheerful smile.

The three of them had barely stepped out of the lounge when they bumped right into Ian and Byron, who were coming from the conference room.

The instant Ian saw the three of them together, his gaze cooled.

“Daddy!” Evelyn squealed, running over and launching herself into his arms.

Ian scooped her up, but his eyes didn’t leave Mansfield. “Major General Ellington. It’s been a while.”

Mansfield smiled, “Maybe there are more in the grass near the cottage where you’re staying.”

“Mommy, let’s go back to the house!” Evelyn said, perking up.

Ian lifted her into his arms. “Let me walk you both back.”

The mood grew tense for a moment. Mansfield was the first to break it. “I’ll head back, then.”

Eleanor nodded. She led the way, Ian carrying Evelyn a few steps behind, careful to keep his distance.

At the cottage door, Ian lingered. Evelyn clung to him, refusing to let go. “Daddy, you have to help me catch fireflies. You can’t leave!”

Ian glanced at Eleanor, silently asking for her approval.

“Daddy has to work, honey. How about Mommy helps you catch fireflies instead?” Eleanor knelt to speak to her daughter.

“Will you help me catch a whole jarful?” Evelyn asked, hopeful.

“I will,” Eleanor promised. “We’ll fill up the whole jar together.”

Just then, in the lamplight, a faint red mark on the side of Eleanor’s pale neck caught Ian’s eye—a mark that looked suspiciously like it had been left by someone’s careful kiss.