No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 826

Eleanor met his sincere gaze, and the refusal on the tip of her tongue died away.

She truly didn't want to impose on anyone, but Mansfield's kindness was hard to refuse without feeling like she was hurting his feelings.

"Well, if you're sure it's not out of your way—"

"I'm free this afternoon. I was heading to the airport to pick up a friend anyway," Mansfield said smoothly, as if he really had a friend to pick up.

Eleanor stayed with Simone at the hospital until 1:30 p.m. before Simone urged her to go pack so she wouldn't miss her flight.

At 1:50, she finished checking out and was pulling her suitcase through the lobby when she saw Mansfield waiting for her.

He naturally took the suitcase from her, the motion smooth and practiced.

On the way to the airport, Mansfield kept the conversation focused on Simone's recovery, a topic Eleanor was more than happy to discuss.

At the airport, he helped her check in and then used his military credentials to escort her all the way to the departure lounge, waiting with her for half an hour until it was time to board.

"Have a safe flight. Text me when you land," Mansfield said with a smile.

A few young women nearby watched him with shy, blushing faces, clearly star-struck by the handsome man.

Feeling the weight of their envious stares, Eleanor felt a bit awkward. "Mansfield, thank you so much for everything. You should go."

"Take care of yourself. Don't work too hard," Mansfield added, his eyes full of concern.

Eleanor waved and headed through the gate.

Mansfield watched until she disappeared around the corner before finally turning away. The trip to Kingston had been worth it; he felt he had closed some of the distance between them.

The plane climbed through the clouds, heading for Ashford City. Eleanor leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes to rest.

Two and a half hours later, the flight landed safely. As Eleanor pushed her luggage cart out of the arrivals hall, a familiar figure hurried toward her. "Miss Sutton."

"Gavin?" Eleanor asked, surprised to see him.

"Mr. Goodwin, Miss Sutton… she refused to get in my car. She's taking a taxi. I couldn't stop her."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Ian's voice came through. "I understand. Follow her taxi back."

"Right," Gavin replied.

In the taxi, Eleanor leaned against the window, watching the familiar scenery fly by. Suddenly, the driver grumbled, "What's with that luxury sedan back there? Is it going to pass or just follow us the whole way?"

Eleanor glanced back and saw Gavin's car. She sighed. "It's fine, driver. He's a friend of mine."

"Boyfriend, you mean? Did you two have a fight?" the driver surmised, figuring that a woman who took a taxi when a fancy car was available was probably having a lover's quarrel.

Eleanor just gave a cool, noncommittal look, and the driver took the hint and fell silent.

When she arrived at her apartment complex, Gavin's car was parked nearby, but he didn't get out. He knew it would only annoy her more, and he worried that if he pushed it, he wouldn't be able to help his boss with anything related to her in the future.