No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1177

"I'll order for you," Ian said, then suggested, "I'll get that fish chowder from the place you love."

Eleanor looked at him, her gaze clear and direct, and refused. "No, thank you. Just because I liked it back then doesn't mean it suits my taste now."

Ian froze, a flicker of obvious disappointment in his eyes. He was silent for a few seconds before asking in a low voice, "Then what do you like to eat now? I can have someone bring it for you."

Eleanor shook her head. "The hospital's meals are fine."

Ian looked at Eleanor's calm profile. It was true—she had new tastes, new habits, and a new life.

"Alright," was all he said in the end.

The room fell into a silence that lasted for a dozen seconds. Ian glanced at his watch. "I'm heading back now. Gavin is outside the door, so if you need anything, just ask him."

"That won't be necessary. Please tell him to go home and rest. I'll call a nurse if I need anything," Eleanor said, not wanting to trouble Gavin.

"I'll have him stay until ten," Ian insisted. Then, he picked up his suit jacket, draped it over his arm, and left.

In the quiet hospital room, Eleanor picked up her phone to check her messages and emails. As she was reading, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in," Eleanor called out.

Gavin pushed the door open. "Miss Sutton, sorry to bother you. May I have a word?"

Gavin recalled, "In June, three years ago. Goodwin & Co. was targeted for a hostile takeover by a foreign tech giant who wanted to force Mr. Goodwin to accept their acquisition offer."

Gavin's words made Eleanor frown. June, three years ago—that was when her daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia.

"The situation was critical," Gavin continued. "The other company spared no expense in attacking Goodwin & Co.'s core businesses, causing the stock price to plummet for days. During The Sun Valley Conference, Mr. Goodwin worked almost non-stop in negotiations and ultimately brought back six international partnership agreements, which saved the company."

Eleanor's fingers unconsciously tightened on the bedsheet.

Gavin looked at Eleanor's silent expression, unsure if she even wanted to hear all this. He explained, "Miss Sutton, I know Mr. Goodwin never explains these things to you. He doesn't want you to bear the pressure with him. There were so many expenses that year. He personally funded all of Dr. Smith's lab, pouring billions into it annually. The pressure on him was immense."

"So, what do you need me to do?" Eleanor looked up at Gavin, her eyes calm and composed.