No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1385

Eleanor put on the dress and took a pair of simple pearl earrings from her small makeup bag. Her long hair fell naturally over her shoulders. It was an academic dinner, so looking neat and appropriate was all that mattered.

At seven-thirty sharp, Eleanor went downstairs. Ian was already waiting in the lobby.

He had changed into a dark blue suit, worn without a tie. The collar of his white shirt was slightly open, giving him a look that was both casual and composed.

When he saw Eleanor, a flash of admiration crossed his deep eyes.

He watched the woman walk toward him with a natural stride.

Ian's throat tightened. How long had it been? How long since he'd last seen her walk toward him like this?

It felt like a century.

She used to bound toward him, full of vibrant energy, whether joyful, gentle, or shy. After the divorce, she became cold, distant, and deliberately avoided him. Talented men had started to appear by her side. She could smile brightly at anyone else, but he was the one she always ignored.

Now, under the lights, Eleanor approached gracefully, the light blue fabric of her dress swaying gently with each step.

Her long, dark hair cascaded gently down her back. She wore light makeup, looking elegant and gentle, her eyes as clear and bright as ever.

As she walked toward him now, her gaze was calm and open, as if the years of misunderstanding and distance had truly melted away.

It was as if they had returned to a starting point—a place where they could begin again.

Ian's heart thudded heavily in his chest, and a quiet joy, like regaining something precious he had lost, began to spread through him.

The elevator had taken a while, so Eleanor asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

When they arrived, they found more than twenty people already there—a mix of young people and middle-aged academics. Soft lighting, smooth jazz, and the aroma of red wine filled the air. Tonight, scholars from around the world had shed their serious daytime personas to enjoy a night of fun and conversation with friends and family.

"El, you're here!" a female academic greeted her. She then looked at Ian beside her in surprise and gave a knowing smile. "Boyfriend?"

Eleanor had told her she was divorced, so the assumption wasn't surprising.

Just as Eleanor was about to explain, Ian spoke up with a slight smile. "A friend, and also her business partner."

He skillfully defined their relationship, which eased Eleanor's awkwardness.

The woman said an understanding, "Oh," but her smile remained enthusiastic. "Well, whatever the relationship, you two look really great together!"

It was a sincere compliment, and Eleanor didn't want to seem ungracious. She smiled and made the introductions. "This is Mr. Goodwin." Then, to Ian, she said, "This is Ella from Costaverde, a neurology specialist."