No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 537

Eleanor stopped in her tracks, turning to face Ian directly. Her gaze was steady, her voice frosty. “Don’t even think about it.”

Ian frowned, the lines between his brows deepening. “Eleanor, I’m not trying to pick a fight. But you’re clearly not yourself lately. I’m worried that raising Evelyn is too much for you right now.”

Under the harsh hallway lights, Eleanor’s pale face betrayed her recent sleepless nights.

Whatever his reasons for saying what he just did, Eleanor had no intention of indulging him.

“My life is none of your business.” With that, Eleanor turned to leave.

Ian’s voice echoed crisply down the empty corridor behind her. “A canyon that never answers isn’t worth leaping into, Eleanor. Mansfield Ellington isn’t right for you.”

Her steps faltered. She understood exactly what he meant, but she didn’t turn. Her laugh was cold. “My relationship with Mansfield Ellington is none of your concern.”

“I’m just trying to help,” Ian lifted an eyebrow.

Eleanor didn’t bother to explain. Ian’s self-righteous probing into her personal life—using any excuse to try and pry Evelyn from her—was beyond infuriating.

Still, she took a deep breath, refusing to let him see how much he’d gotten under her skin. She spun around. “Ian, we ended a long time ago. My life, my choices—none of it concerns you now. Stop using Evelyn to test my limits. All it does is make me hate you more.”

She didn’t wait for a response, striding away.

She hadn’t shouted, but the icy calm in her voice left no doubt about her resolve.

Ian stood rooted to the spot, his gaze narrowing. Just then, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he answered brusquely.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Goodwin, we’ve found Dr. Windsor. He’s agreed to meet.”

After hanging up, Ian didn’t return to the conference room. Instead, as he passed Eleanor’s office, he paused at her door.

Eleanor had just sat down when she looked up to see Ian’s silhouette blocking half the doorway. He stood with the light behind him, his expression as inscrutable and arrogant as ever.

Neither spoke. Their eyes met—hers burning with resentment, his clouded and unreadable.

In the quiet afternoon, they stared each other down until Ian finally broke the silence. “I don’t deny the pain I’ve caused you. I’m trying to face my mistakes.”

Eleanor was momentarily surprised. She’d never expected someone as proud as Ian to say such things. Still, she had no patience for his confessions.

Ian exhaled softly, voice low. “Some things… I’ve only just begun to understand—”

She cut him off coldly. “Whatever you want to say, I have no interest in hearing it.”

Something darkened in Ian’s eyes. He was about to respond when his phone rang again. He shot a glance at the caller ID, his frown deepening.

Eleanor stood up, gesturing toward the door. “Leave. Don’t waste my time.”

Ian’s jaw clenched. “There are things—”

It was Xavier.

The very day he returned to town, Xavier made a point to come pick up Vivian. The reason was obvious: he wanted to see Eleanor.

There was no better excuse for an encounter than a chance meeting at school.

Eleanor was momentarily taken aback at the sight of him. Xavier smiled and approached, “How’s work been lately?”

She smiled back, “Not bad. How about you? Was the business trip smooth?”

He nodded, “It went well.”

She glanced toward the school gate. “You’re early. There’s still ten minutes before dismissal.”

Xavier’s eyes lingered on her face. “Have you thought about what you’ll do next?”

Eleanor shook her head. “My current project isn’t finished yet. I’m not making any plans for now.”

“Is Ian the reason you can’t leave?” Xavier asked, his tone cautious.

The smile faded from Eleanor’s lips. “Whether I stay or go, it’s my decision. It has nothing to do with him.”

Xavier looked momentarily taken aback. He didn’t press the matter. For a moment, the air between them was quiet, and Xavier found himself scrambling for conversation, his nerves always getting the better of him around Eleanor.