“Ian seems to be in trouble.”
Eleanor paused, then clicked the link—headline: Goodwin & Co. Assists Yeaton Holdings’ IPO, Allegations of Bribery Surface.
She frowned. Honestly, Ian had it coming.
“Is it wrong to say he deserves it?” Joy’s message popped up.
Eleanor fired back, “You’re not wrong.”
“Roland Yeaton’s reputation in the business world has been in the gutter for years, and Ian still insists on helping him go public. He’s basically enabling a crook. Now that this mess is dragging Ian down, let’s see how he gets out of it,” Joy replied.
Eleanor finished reading the article carefully. It was clear the media were targeting Ian, using Roland’s notorious past as ammunition.
Maybe one of Ian’s rivals had finally found a weakness to exploit. Either way, it had nothing to do with her, and she had no interest in following the drama.
In the top-floor conference room at Goodwin & Co., tension hung thick in the air. Two dozen executives sat stiffly at the table, watching as wave after wave of negative headlines flashed across the projection screen.
“Mr. Goodwin, our stock price is down seven points. We need to issue a statement immediately and refute these baseless accusations.”
“I think we should pull out of Yeaton Holdings altogether. There’s no need to wade through their mess any longer,” another executive suggested.
Ian tapped his long fingers twice on the polished stone tabletop. Silence fell instantly.
“No,” he said, his voice cold and steely. “Tell legal to file suit against the media outlets leading the charge.”
“And the public backlash?”
Ian’s eyes narrowed. “Ignore it. Let it blow over.”
Everyone understood—he was determined to stand by Yeaton Holdings through this crisis.
“Mr. Goodwin, if we stay tied to Yeaton Holdings, won’t—”
Ian’s gaze cut sharply to the project manager who’d spoken. “Is there a problem?”
“Tomorrow at ten, we’ll hold a joint press conference.” With that, Ian stood and left the room.
The next morning, Goodwin & Co. released Yeaton Holdings’ audited financials for the past three years, along with the original SEC approval for their IPO.
“Ms. Sutton, I’m not sure if I should be telling you this,” Ellington began, hesitating.
“Is it work-related?” Eleanor asked, curious.
“No, it’s… Miss Vanessa booked the presidential suite at the Vesper Joy Hotel at three this afternoon.”
Eleanor frowned. “That’s not something I need to know.”
But Ellington pressed on, hesitating for a few seconds before adding, “Just now, Mr. Goodwin went up to Miss Shannon’s suite—”
Eleanor let out a silent, bitter laugh. So Ian had barely finished smoothing over Yeaton Holdings’ scandal before rushing off to collect his reward from Vanessa?
And they just had to choose the Vesper Joy Hotel. Were they trying to rub it in her face?
“Ellington, unless it’s about work, don’t update me on anything else,” Eleanor said, her tone suddenly icy.
The line was quiet for a beat, then Ellington gave an awkward laugh. “Sorry, Ms. Sutton. I overstepped.”

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