Chapter 1603

He caught the subtle smile on her lips, and his own mouth curved into a satisfied grin. His day was already off to a fantastic start.

After breakfast, they made their way to the main venue.

During the opening ceremony, leaders from the Ministry of Science and Technology and two prominent academics delivered their speeches. The audience was packed with the brightest young minds in their respective fields, and the atmosphere was electric.

lan and Eleanor weren't seated together. As a special guest representing the investment sector and a leading young entrepreneur, lan was seated in the VIP front row. Meanwhile, Eleanor was seated on the opposite side of the hall with the biomedical representatives.

When the morning session broke for a coffee intermission, a low buzz of conversation filled the room.

Eleanor was discussing one of the recent presentations with a female colleague when she suddenly felt a comforting weight on her shoulder. A large, familiar hand rested there.

She looked up to see lan. He had strolled over just to say hello, and noticing she hadn't gotten up to get a drink, thoughtfully brought her a cup of hot tea.

She took it from him, the warmth seeping into her palms and spreading straight to her heart.

He hadn't come over to make conversation. After delivering the tea, he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and headed back to his section, where he was immediately intercepted by several peers wanting to network.

Once the morning sessions wrapped up, they ate lunch together at the venue's cafeteria. In the afternoon, Eleanor headed into a specialized seminar, separating from lan once again.

It wasn't until four-thirty that the first day of the forum officially concluded.

Eleanor followed the crowd out of the hall, stopping near the exit to check her phone. Suddenly, a heavy blazer was draped over her shoulders. She looked up to find lan standing beside her. "The weather's turning. Wear this."

The temperature in Kingston always plummeted in the evenings, and she had definitely been feeling the chill. She glanced at him, noting he was now only in his dress shirt. "Aren't you cold?"

He smiled effortlessly. "I'm fine. I run hot."

"Who was it that had a high fever just a few days ago?" she reminded him, moving to hand the jacket back.

lan easily wrapped his long arm around her shoulders, his voice a low rumble. "Keep it on. The car is right outside."

He took her hand. "I'm taking you to an authentic local spot for dinner, and then we'll go for a walk."

She let him lead her to the waiting vehicle. Once inside, she finally handed his jacket back. The deep autumn chill was settling over the city outside, the streetlights just beginning to flicker on. She stared out the window, a quiet sense of anticipation fluttering in her chest.

She could feel his gaze drifting to her repeatedly. Whenever she her head, she'd catch his deep,

Smelling eyes making here

skip

abeat every single time.

When they pulled up to the private, exclusive restaurant, Eleanor froze. She had been here before.

Reading her expression, lan instantly picked up on her hesitation. "You've been here?"

Since he asked, she simply nodded.

He didn't need to ask who she had been here with. He knew exactly who had grown

up in Kingston and knew the city like the back of his hand.

lan cleared his throat, his large hand tightening around her wrist. A flicker of blatant jealousy leaked into his deep voice. Then you'll just have to eat here with me, to overwrite the memory."

Once inside, they were seated in a private dining room. Ian handed her the menu. "Since you've been here, tell me what's good."

She shook her head. "I don't remember. Just order whatever looks appealing."

"Oh?" he ground out, a dark edge to his tone. "Was the guy you ate with so distracting that you couldn't even pay attention to the food?"