No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 436

With a man like Xavier—handsome, successful, and charming—he could have any woman he wanted. Why on earth was he circling around a divorcée like Eleanor?

Tonight, Evelyn Goodwin was having dinner at Goodwin Manor, so Eleanor decided to unwind after work by inviting Joy Thatcher out for a meal. No one could work nonstop, after all.

Luckily, Joy had been thinking the same thing, so their plans came together instantly.

By five-thirty, Eleanor was already seated at the restaurant when Joy hurried in, swinging her purse and grinning mischievously. She clapped her hands together. “Big news—want to hear it? I guarantee it’ll put you in a good mood!”

Eleanor blinked, skeptical. “What’s the big news?”

“Ian’s getting sued. He’s about to go to court.” Joy looked positively gleeful.

“Who’s suing him?”

“It all started when he tried to buy out a failing biotech firm. Word is, they’ve got a few valuable patents, and Ian thought he could just snap them up for pennies. Turns out, the company didn’t appreciate his vulture routine—they dragged him straight to business court.”

Eleanor frowned. “Which biotech company?”

“Everprosper Biotech, I think.”

The name rang a bell. Joy, clearly pleased with the turn of events, gave a satisfied sigh. “About time someone gave Ian a taste of his own medicine.”

Eleanor just treated it as idle gossip, nothing more.

Joy made a face. “Honestly, guys like Ian—cold-blooded, greedy—someone needs to take them down a peg.”

“Let’s change the subject. He’s going to ruin my appetite. What are you in the mood for? Dinner’s on me,” Eleanor said.

Joy grinned. “Don’t mind if I do. I’ve been craving this place’s steamed sea bass for ages.”

“Order whatever you want,” Eleanor said, indulgent and amused. “Tonight, anything goes.”

They chatted about life as they browsed the menu. Then Joy’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “So, spill. Last time you went out to Mr. Ellington’s facility for consulting—how’d it go? Any progress?”

Joy’s face was bright red now, but she nodded. “Exactly what you’re thinking.”

“And?”

“And nothing! We’re just back to normal at work, pretending it never happened. Let’s call it a little… hormonal reset,” Joy said breezily.

Eleanor blinked in surprise. “Attorney Jeffries is quite the catch. Don’t let this slip by.”

A shy, sweet smile flickered across Joy’s face. “He never said anything before. I had no idea he liked me.”

“So, did he confess?” Eleanor pressed.

Joy nodded silently. “That morning, he said all these sweet things. You know how I am—I can’t handle romantic talk. He just kept going, and I panicked and ran off.”

Eleanor burst out laughing, picturing the typically polished Frazier Jeffries attempting to pour his heart out. It must have been quite a sight. She could only hope her dear friend wouldn’t let this chance at happiness slip away.