No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 641

Gavin was clearly the kind of man who got things done—and he got them done fast.

Just half an hour later, he sent over detailed listings for Cloudcrest Manor.

“Mr. Goodwin, there are two available apartments in Building 12, Unit 1,” Gavin said over the phone. “One is on the 27th floor, unit 2701, right below Miss Sutton’s new place. The other is on the 23rd floor.” He paused. “The owner of 2701 is asking twenty percent above market rate. Claims it’s newly renovated and never been lived in.”

Ian studied the floor plan on his phone, examined it closely, then made his decision. “Contact the owner of 2701. We’ll sign the contract first thing tomorrow morning.”

—

The next morning, Xavier spotted Eleanor’s car at the parking lot exit. They nearly always dropped their children off at school around the same time, so running into each other wasn’t unusual.

Xavier followed behind Eleanor’s car. The school was only a ten-minute drive away. Eleanor had chosen Cloudcrest Manor precisely because the redevelopment of the Old Quarter nearby had yet to begin; Cloudcrest offered the nicest homes in the area, with the best security and landscaping. For someone with Eleanor’s resources, it was the obvious choice.

Eleanor pulled up to the school and parked. She knew Xavier was right behind her. Both walked their children up to the school gates. Xavier’s happiness was plain to see. “Guess we’re neighbors now. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”

“Thank you.” Eleanor tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Everything’s settled at my place. I just need to unpack.”

Xavier nodded. “Good. We can look out for each other from now on.”

Eleanor had no ulterior motives in moving to Cloudcrest Manor. She simply wanted a comfortable, safe, and elegant home—a place where her daughter could have the best possible life.

“Yes.” She hoped she could return the favor someday. After all, she owed Xavier a lot.

“Heading to the office?” Xavier asked.

“Yeah, off to work.” Eleanor smiled and nodded.

Xavier decided to head to work as well. They parted ways at the next stoplight, Xavier’s car pulling ahead, but he couldn’t help glancing in the rearview mirror to catch one more glimpse of Eleanor’s car.

Eleanor drove on toward the research facility.

Inside the private facility, she changed into her lab coat and hurried straight to the main lab. Joel was already there, hunched over a machine, tweaking some data.

“Morning, Joel,” Eleanor called as she walked in.

“Morning.” Joel straightened, his eyes warm as they met hers.

Several pieces of high-precision equipment hummed softly in the background. Eleanor focused intently on the data streams, occasionally adjusting a parameter or two.

Their current project was still in its early stages, building on Eleanor’s previous work—developing non-invasive devices to help paralyzed patients regain control of their limbs.

…

Meanwhile, in the president’s office at Goodwin & Co.

Gavin knocked before entering. “Mr. Goodwin, the transfer for Cloudcrest Manor 2701 is complete. Here’s the key. The default code for the door is six zeros.”

Ian nodded, accepted the key, and set it on his desk. He tapped his long fingers on the tabletop. “Clear my afternoon schedule.”

“Mr. Goodwin, should I—?”

Ian raised an eyebrow. “You moved?”

Eleanor frowned. He must have gotten her new address from Joslyn.

She shot him a frosty look. “My private life isn’t something I have to report to you.”

Ian narrowed his eyes. “But you do have a responsibility to inform me—so I can exercise my visitation rights.”

“If you wanted to know where I live, it wouldn’t have been hard to find out, would it?” Eleanor said sharply, turning her back to him and returning to her data analysis.

“Cloudcrest Manor is a solid choice. Xavier recommended it to you?” Ian took a step closer, leaning against the workbench, watching her sort through the reports.

A flash of irritation crossed Eleanor’s face. “And what if he did?”

Ian’s expression flickered, then cooled. “Just making conversation. That’s all.”

At that moment, Joel walked in with two cups of coffee and stopped short when he saw Ian.

“Eleanor, your coffee,” Joel said, setting a cup on her desk.

Eleanor offered him a grateful smile. “Thanks, Joel.”

Joel glanced between Ian and Eleanor. “Mr. Goodwin, is there anything you’d like me to report on? I happen to have some time, and I can fill you in.”