Eleanor shook her head. “No, I haven’t—I just stopped by to light a candle.”
Joel understood immediately. Clearly, Xavier had been the one to invite her.
He had watched Eleanor grow up over the years. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but marvel at how much she’d been through. Looking at her now, it was hard to believe she’d only just turned twenty-seven. She still had that youthful innocence in her face, a hint of the girl she used to be.
Catching Joel’s gaze, Eleanor looked a little bewildered. She wiped the corner of her mouth, half-wondering if she had something on her face.
“Come on,” Joel said, breaking the moment. “Let’s take a walk and grab some coffee from the place across the street. We could both use a break before getting back to work.”
Eleanor nodded. There was a blend at that café she particularly liked.
As they strolled side by side out onto the sidewalk, a sleek black Maybach idled at the curb nearby. Ian sat in the back seat, phone pressed to his ear. Gavin, sharp-eyed as ever, spotted Eleanor first. “Mr. Goodwin, that’s Miss Sutton.”
Ian saw her too. He’d noticed Eleanor and Joel the moment they stepped out and crossed in front of the car.
Just then, the roar of a motorcycle engine echoed down the street—a rider weaving recklessly between the cars. Even though the pedestrian light was green, the bike’s speed made it clear the rider had no regard for the rules and was likely to blow right through the crossing.
Sure enough, the motorcycle surged forward, heading straight for the crosswalk.
With barely three meters to spare, Joel reacted instantly, pulling Eleanor into his arms and out of harm’s way.
The motorcycle blazed past, the rush of air whipping Eleanor’s hair around her face.
Joel’s arm stayed protectively around her shoulders, his voice tight with both fear and anger. “People like that shouldn’t be allowed on the road!”
Eleanor, still shaken, clung to Joel’s sleeve, her breath catching in her throat.
Inside the Maybach, Ian saw the entire scene play out in perfect clarity.
His fingers tightened around his phone, the voice on the other end—someone droning on about work—faded into background noise.
“Ellie, there’s an emergency meeting at two.”
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
Joel received the same call, and together they quickened their pace toward the lobby of Meridian Dynamics.
Back at her desk, Eleanor saw a string of messages from Garrison, each with a new question. With a few minutes to spare, she quickly replied. By the time she finished, she realized she was running late.
Grabbing her laptop, she hurried off to the meeting room.
The moment Eleanor stepped into Conference Room Three, she could sense something was off.
The room was already filled—every department head was present.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor)
Without Vanessa to serve as an antagonist, it’s turned a reasonably story into dead wood. I just can't anymore. After, Vanessa's life went downhill it was the perfect time to wrap up the story....
I dont Understand why he keep Clingy on that Girl Vanessa, this couple has Lack of Trust and communication to each other, Lan Never explain the reason what was goin' on, if i were on Eleanor i will do the same.. your his wife yet people around him Doesnt even know that your the wife 😅😅 fuck that 6 yrs of marriage😆😆 he even the richest man he hire thousand people to look for that vanessa girl but he didnt do it 😆 even giving her a jewelry with Million dollar as a wife its hurt to see this, even when she Nearly drawn at the pool with that Girl vanessa, Lan Save Vanessa over his wife😆😆 That Guy is totally a REDFLAG😆...
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