No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1171

After hanging up, Eleanor's car pulled into the laboratory's parking lot. She got out and immediately dialed Ian's number.

As the second-largest shareholder of the Vesper Joy Hotel, she was confident he wouldn't refuse an opportunity for Ellington to catch a ride.

"Hello!" A deep, gentle male voice came from the other end.

"Mr. Goodwin, could I ask you for a favor?" Eleanor asked, her tone polite and formal.

A low, exasperated chuckle came through the line. "Have we really become such strangers?"

Eleanor ignored his question and went straight to her request. "For Ellington's upcoming trip to Sun Valley, would it be possible for him to fly on your private jet?"

"Of course," Ian agreed without hesitation.

"Thank you." Eleanor was about to end the call.

"Wait," he said suddenly, stopping her.

Eleanor frowned. What else could he want?

"The Sun Valley Conference is completely cut off from the outside world. Even if I bring my phone, it will be confiscated. So, if you need anything over the next three days, call Gavin. He'll get in touch with me as soon as the conference is over."

Ian's voice was low and slow, as if he were hinting at something more.

Eleanor stopped in her tracks, her fingers tightening around her phone. After a few seconds of silence, she replied calmly, "OK."

During the first four years of their marriage, their relationship had been as calm and happy as any other couple's. Ian would regularly update her on his business dealings, but he hadn't that day. Then their daughter suddenly came down with a high fever during a viral outbreak in the country. Within just three days, a simple cold had turned into severe pneumonia.

By that time, she already knew about Vanessa. The year their daughter turned two was the same year Dr. Smith confirmed that Gina Quinn's blood disorder was hereditary. The reason Ian had been taking their daughter abroad so frequently was for genetic testing.

But one thing was certain: Vanessa's love for Ian bordered on obsession. Although Eleanor hadn't read the contract Ian presented that day in detail, she had skimmed the additional clauses.

Vanessa had demanded he spend half the year with her in Drexford, provide gifts on specified dates, and support her career advancement.

Their daughter's admiration for Vanessa was partly due to her young age; a two-year-old lacks judgment. Plus, Vanessa had made a point of getting close to Gina and Serena Goodwin, becoming a frequent guest at the Goodwin family home. Of course, these were just external factors.

Vanessa's real motive was to earn Ian's favor by making Evelyn depend on her—which was exactly why she had so deliberately worked to win the girl's affection.