No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 788

Eleanor abruptly pulled her hand from Ian’s grasp, her gaze frosty. “Ian, please respect my boundaries.”

Ian’s hand hung awkwardly in midair. He swallowed hard. “Just five minutes, that’s all I’m asking.”

“I don’t want to waste even a single minute.” Eleanor turned to leave.

Suddenly, Ian called after her, “As far as I know, Professor Williams is one of the leading authorities on pancreatic cancer. I’d like to bring him to Ashford City to consult with Professor Langley. Another expert means another perspective, another chance.”

Eleanor finally looked up at him. She kept tabs on the latest in the medical world and knew full well just how renowned this expert was in the field of oncology. If Ian could really get him to consult, Simone’s chances would be that much better.

“They call pancreatic cancer the king of cancers. I hope you’ll agree with me on this,” Ian said quietly.

Eleanor relented. Simone’s condition weighed heavily on her heart.

“How soon could you get him here?”

“Earliest would be Monday next week,” Ian replied.

“Alright.” Eleanor gave him a steady look. Ian seemed like he had more to say—his Adam’s apple bobbed twice—but just then, his gaze shifted over Eleanor’s shoulder, brow furrowing as he looked down the corridor.

Following his eyes, Eleanor saw Vanessa standing at the end of the hall, her manager supporting her. She looked frail, silently waiting for Ian.

Vanessa didn’t call out, but just by standing there, she was impossible to ignore.

Eleanor broke the moment, stepping past Ian and walking away.

Ian watched her go, his fists clenching and loosening at his sides. Eleanor didn’t look back, only rejoining Simone in front of the elevators.

Simone, ever sensitive to Eleanor’s moods, gave her a searching glance. “Eleanor, sometimes people leave your life so you have space to meet the right ones.”

Eleanor caught Simone’s meaning and nodded. “Professor Langley, Ian just offered to bring Professor Williams from Montclair for a consultation. Can we wait one more week? After his assessment, we can go to Kingston if necessary.”

Simone’s eyes widened. “Williams? That’s—”

Meanwhile, at the hospital—

Once Vanessa had finished a battery of tests, Ian left. Not long after, Henry Holt arrived, carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers. He’d rushed back from another city as soon as his assistant had seen the news online about Vanessa’s accident.

“Something this serious, and you didn’t tell me?” Henry’s tone was gently reproachful as he set the flowers aside and sat on the edge of the bed, studying her face.

Vanessa managed a weak smile, a strip of gauze taped to her forehead. “You’re always so busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“Some things take priority—if something like this happens, nothing else is more important.” He brushed her hair back gently, concern etched across his face. “Is it bad?”

“Split my forehead open, it’s still swollen. Mild concussion. Otherwise, I’m fine,” Vanessa said gamely.

Henry’s gaze fell on a suit jacket tossed over a nearby chair, his brow darkening. “Ian was here?”

Vanessa glanced at the jacket and nodded. “Yeah. He stayed with me through all the tests before he left.”