Chapter 1435

Just then, the fruit was served. Eleanor sat down to chat with the matriarch, who

had recently been to a few auctions and acquired some new treasures-all priceless antiques.

After they finished the fruit, it was already nine o'clock. Just then, Serena returned. When she heard Evelyn was staying over again, she happily agreed. "Okay, Auntie will take a shower and be right down to help you finish it."

Seeing that it was getting late and she had several experiments scheduled for the next day, Eleanor stood up. "Grandma, I should be heading back now."

"Perfect, you can give lan a ride," Magdalen said casually.

lan seemed to have been waiting for this. His deep eyes locked onto Eleanor's. "Do you mind the company?"

Before Eleanor could speak, Magdalen shot her grandson a look. "Ellie is tired. You drive."

Could Eleanor say it wasn't convenient? They lived in the same complex, and it's not like she had to drive anyone else.

"Let's go, then," Eleanor said to him.

lan smiled, walked over to a gift bag, and picked it up. He turned to the matriarch and said, "Grandma, I'm heading out now."

"Ian, drive safely," Gina said to her son.

lan nodded and followed Eleanor out of the living room.

Outside, the neatly trimmed garden had an elegant charm in the night air. Eleanor walked straight out of the courtyard gate to her car. Ian followed at a relaxed pace. "I'll drive."

With that, he was already heading to the driver's side.

Eleanor unlocked the car. He pulled open the driver's door and got in, and Eleanor got into the passenger seat. Just then, lan handed the small gift bag to her.

"Here. This is for you."

Eleanor glanced at it and took it. "Thank you."

She showed no intention of looking inside. Ian started the car and pulled smoothly onto the street.

The car was quiet again, but the atmosphere felt strangely delicate.

"Is there anything at the lab that you need my help coordinating?" lan asked,

breaking the silence by mentioning her work.

"Not at the moment, thank you," Eleanor replied.

"You really don't have to be so

formal with me." lan turned his head, his gaze falling on her beautiful face. After a long day of work, Eleanor exuded a kind of distant yet fragile beauty.

"Sorry, it's a habit," Eleanor said softly.

Indeed.

him fad been formal with

set

him for three years; it wasn't a habit she could break overnight. And

Eleanor had no intention of changing

it.

lan swallowed hard, looking away to focus back on the road. "Try not to treat me like a stranger."

"The experiment is progressing smoothly right now. We have enough funding and resources," Eleanor said quietly.

lan understood her underlying message—she didn't want to rely on him anymore.

A flicker of resignation passed through his eyes, but he didn't press the issue. "Alright."

Fifteen minutes later, the car drove into the complex's underground parking garage and stopped in Eleanor's parking space.

They got out and walked to the elevator together. They were the only two inside.

lan suddenly remembered something. "My grandmother's birthday is this Friday. You should come."

Eleanor nodded. "Okay."

The elevator arrived at the twenty-seventh floor.

lan, who was about to step out, seemed to freeze in place. Eleanor glanced up at

him.

lan reached out and held the 'door

Ket

open' button. His gaze fell on Eleanor's face, his eyes filled with restrained hope and longing. He

asked in a low voice Do you want to come over to my place for a

bit?