Chapter 1587

At six o'clock sharp, Lanny's car pulled up outside the gates. Eleanor got in, and they headed toward an exclusive, high-end restaurant in the heart of the city.

It had been a while since Eleanor had taken the time to properly relax. Watching the dazzling neon lights blur past the window, she felt her mood begin to lift.

"Mr. Goodwin is waiting in the penthouse dining room. Right this way, Miss Sutton," Lanny said respectfully, opening the door for her.

Eleanor took the private elevator to the top floor. A host guided her into a secluded VIP room overlooking the sprawling, glittering skyline of the business district. Ian was already relaxing on the sofa, waiting for her.

"You're here." He looked up, a warm, indulgent smile touching his eyes. He had shrugged off his suit jacket and rolled up the cuffs of his crisp white shirt, giving him an air of effortless, casual elegance. The sleek glasses were still resting on the bridge of his nose.

He slipped the glasses off, folding them neatly and tucking them into his shirt pocket. "Are you free after dinner? I want to go pick out some new frames."

Eleanor frowned slightly. "You don't even need prescription lenses, do you?"

lan chuckled softly. "I find I quite like the way they feel." In his mind, he was picturing the time Eleanor had worn glasses during a public lecture. It had given her a completely different, incredibly alluring vibe.

Eleanor just hummed in agreement. "Sure."

lan had already taken care of ordering. Eleanor couldn't wait any longer and immediately pivoted to the equipment. "I have the funds ready. Just tell me when you want the wire transfer."

lan took a slow, elegant bite of his meal, shaking his head. "I'm completely exhausted today. Let's not talk about work."

Eleanor stared at him, stunned. Hadn't his text explicitly promised they would discuss the equipment over dinner?

But seeing the genuine fatigue lining his face, she swallowed her frustration and aggressively cut into her steak, annoyed but resigned.

After dinner, they took a slow walk down to the luxury shopping district located right at the base of the high-rise. An exclusive eyewear boutique was only a short stroll away.

The downtown streets were alive and bustling with the evening crowd.

Eleanor left her long hair down, letting the cool night breeze brush against her skin It was refreshing to absorb the vibrant, chaotic energy of the city. She hadn't enjoyed @casual stroll like this in far too long.

And certainly not with lan.

Stepping into the designer boutique, lan moved with clear intent, heading straight for the sleek,

fashion forward section e

eventually picked up a pair of

delicate, gold-rimmed glasses and

turned to her. "What do you think of these?"

Eleanor appraised them. The design was immaculate and suited his sharp features perfectly. She nodded. "Try them on."

He slipped them on, but instead of checking the mirror, he kept his gaze locked on her. "Give me your professional opinion."

"They look good," Eleanor admitted. The glasses added a polished, intellectual edge

to his look, wrapped in an undeniable layer of commanding restraint.

The nearby sales associates exchanged secret, swooning glances, thrilled to be serving such a striking customer.

"I'll take these," lan told the associate. Then, he pointed a casual finger at Eleanor. "The lady will be paying."

Eleanor stared at him, utterly speechless.

The associate immediately beamed at her. "Miss, the register is right this way."

Sighing, Eleanor grabbed her purse, walked over, and settled the bill. As they stepped back out onto the street, lan's tone turned infuriatingly smug. "From now on, I'm only wearing glasses you buy me."

Rolling her eyes at his antics, she shook her head, suddenly remembering the analyzer that was currently clearing customs.

"I'm being serious, lan. I am paying you back for that equipment," she insisted, deciding to press the issue while he was in a good mood.

"The equipment was funded by The Guild of Commerce. It was processed as an official research grant, so you can't exactly wire.

lan

mone into my private account his

replied, tits,

crinkling behind his

new lenses as he delivered the truth.

So, it seemed, she was going to be in his debt for a while longer.