No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 472

Dr. Smith’s face lit up with delight. “Absolutely, I’ll give Miss Sutton’s lab my full support.”

This trip wasn’t just about academic exchange for Dr. Smith—he was also here to continue talks with Ian about renewing his lab’s funding. He hadn’t expected Ian to agree so readily; the quick answer caught him off-guard in the best way.

“However,” Ian continued, “from now on, your research direction needs to align with Eleanor’s. Give her more room for trial and error and help minimize the risks.”

Dr. Smith nodded enthusiastically. “You can count on us, Mr. Goodwin. We’ll do everything we can to support Miss Sutton’s work.”

With a slight nod, Ian turned and made his way toward the restroom.

At that moment, Eleanor was coming out. They nearly collided in the doorway.

Startled, Eleanor jerked back, banging the back of her head against the wall with a sharp thud.

Her face went pale from the pain.

Ian’s eyes narrowed in concern. “Did you hurt yourself?”

He leaned in, trying to get a closer look.

The subtle scent of cedarwood clinging to him made Eleanor recoil in distaste; she shoved him away. Ian took a half step back, his handsome features tightening as he swallowed hard.

Without looking back, Eleanor walked off toward the dining room, rubbing the spot on her head where a bump was already forming. If she’d run into a stranger, she wouldn’t have reacted so foolishly as to bash her head against the wall. But faced with Ian, she’d rather injure herself than crash into him.

“Eleanor, are you alright?” Gwenda noticed her cradling her head.

Eleanor massaged the sore spot and shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just bumped it by accident.”

A little later, Ian and Dr. Smith joined them in the restaurant. Simone had already asked Gwenda to order, and soon the food arrived. As they ate, conversation flowed easily around the table.

That afternoon, Dr. Smith’s team set up in the conference room, while Adkins brought over a few samples for Eleanor to discuss in the lab.

The hours slipped by. Eleanor asked Joslyn to pick up her daughter from school so she could work late, not leaving until eight that evening.

After a quick shower at home, her phone rang—Ellington was inviting her to lunch the next day to discuss a few matters. She agreed.

She shot back, “You know him too?”

Ellington nodded. “Yeaton Holdings is riding high in the business world these days. Three years ago, his IPO failed, but now he’s gearing up for another attempt. I hear Mr. Goodwin is investing in his company and helping him secure funding.”

A chill flickered in Eleanor’s eyes. Clearly, Ian was taking a special interest in the Yeatons.

Ellington hesitated, then added, “There are also some rumors going around about the Yeatons and Mr. Goodwin. Not sure if they’re true.”

Eleanor didn’t ask, but Ellington continued anyway. “Word is, Mr. Goodwin’s about to become the Yeatons’ son-in-law. A lot of people are cozying up to Roland these days.”

Eleanor gave a noncommittal “Oh,” and Ellington wisely let the subject drop. They entered their private dining room, ordered lunch, and Ellington updated her on the documents he’d brought.

At one point, Eleanor excused herself to the restroom. As she rounded a corner near the restaurant, she spotted Ian’s tall figure disappearing into a private room.

It had to be Roland’s suite. Ellington was right, she thought—Ian really was about to become part of the Yeaton family.