No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1259

Ian took a slow breath, a humorless smile tugging at his lips. "Well, you're busy. I'll be going now," he said to Eleanor.

She seemed to just realize he was still there. Ryan was talking in her ear, and she didn't have a moment to spare for him.

Ian turned and left. He held himself as tall as ever, but his retreating figure spoke of a deep, wordless solitude.

A single thought echoed in his mind.

*She belongs to someone else now. It's time to kill any lingering hope.*

Eleanor glanced over her shoulder at his retreating figure heading toward the elevators, a slight frown on her face. But her thoughts were quickly consumed by what Ryan was saying.

After the call, she saw that Dr. MacLeod was still in the room talking with Mansfield, the examination finished. She knocked lightly and entered. Dr. MacLeod greeted her with a look of pure admiration. "Eleanor, this is all thanks to you!"

"It wasn't just me. It was the whole team," Eleanor replied, then, thinking of Ian, she added, "And Ian's considerable help."

Mansfield looked up. "Is he still here? I want to thank him personally."

Eleanor shook her head. "He had something to do and left. Maybe next time."

Mansfield nodded. Having just woken up, his energy was low, and a wave of drowsiness was hitting him. Seeing this, Dr. MacLeod said, "Eleanor, let's let him get some rest."

Eleanor nodded and said to Mansfield, "I'm heading back to the lab. Call me anytime if you need anything."

Mansfield gave her a warm smile. "You're exhausted too. Make sure you rest after you're done."

"I will," Eleanor smiled back. Both of them felt a sense of ease. They had been honest with each other. Being friends instead of lovers felt right.

***

Back in his car, Ian shut the door. The calm facade on his face crumbled, leaving only deep exhaustion. The pain in his dark eyes was unmistakable.

"Understood. I'll take care of it right away." Gavin didn't dare ask any more questions and immediately got to work.

After hanging up, Ian rubbed his brow. A sudden throbbing pain started in his temples.

He decided to exile himself, using physical distance to sever this last, desperate wish.

Ian then called home to tell them the plan. On the other end, Gina Quinn was surprised. "Ian, why so sudden?"

"Mom, I happen to have some free time, so I thought I'd take you all to relax," Ian answered smoothly.

"Alright, then! I'll have someone pack our bags right away. It would be good for Evelyn to get out and relax."

Serena Goodwin was also delighted and immediately called Joslyn to pack Evelyn's clothes for her to pick up.

At seven that evening, a private jet lifted off from the airport, soaring into the sky.