No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1184

"Mr. Goodwin, we're out of pepper. I'm just going to run to the supermarket outside. Would you mind keeping an eye on Ma'am for a moment?" After saying this, Joslyn placed her gift on a cabinet and, with a knowing look, headed for the door and quickly left.

Eleanor frowned. Joslyn was clearly making an excuse to leave. Suddenly feeling awkward, she closed her laptop.

Ian sat down on the sofa across from her, his eyes still fixed on her bandaged arm. "Does the wound still hurt?"

"Not anymore," Eleanor replied, looking down.

"The conference went very well. It was incredibly productive," Ian said, his gaze steady on her. "So, you don't need to worry about future funding."

Eleanor turned to look out the window. "I see," she answered softly.

Ian lowered his gaze, his voice deep and resolute. "I know I've lost the right to explain myself to you, but there are still some things I need to say."

Eleanor turned back to face him. Curious as to what he could possibly want to explain, she listened patiently.

"The reason I didn't want you to know Vanessa back then was because I had seen her at her most unhinged. She would do anything to get what she wanted. You were so naive at the time, and I was afraid—afraid you would get hurt."

Eleanor listened in silence, then let out a self-deprecating laugh. "So you'd rather I remain a fool."

A sharp pain flashed in Ian's eyes. "I'm sorry. I thought I could handle everything, but in the end, you were the one who got hurt the most."

Eleanor thought of Frazier's advice; he had said the same thing back then.

Now, hearing Ian admit it himself, she felt surprisingly calm.

"For the past three years, I've been pushing the treatment plan forward. I never imagined that you would be the one to solve the problem for me. I am incredibly grateful for everything you've done for the Goodwin family. You are our benefactor." Ian looked up, the sunlight streaming in from the window illuminating the bloodshot veins in his eyes. It was clear he hadn't rested well on his trip.

Eleanor remembered the investigation into his use of company stock options to raise money. It was obvious he had been pouring funds into Smith's lab, and Smith had used every available resource to find a solution. Eleanor had just been lucky enough to provide the final push that led to the breakthrough.

Suddenly, Eleanor's gaze sharpened. "Alright. If you truly see me as a benefactor, or if you want to reconcile our past, then give me the password to that secret file in the lab in exchange."