No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1327

His intense gaze fixed on her over the rim of his glass, and his eyes seemed to hold something more than just the haze of alcohol.

Next, people started toasting Joel. As the team lead and a key contributor, he was a natural target. Joel clearly wasn't good at refusing, smiling as he accepted drink after drink. He wasn't much of a drinker to begin with, and the alcohol went straight to his face. Before long, he was visibly flushed.

When another person approached to offer a toast, Eleanor, knowing Joel's tolerance was nothing like Ian's, spoke up with a smile. "Let's give Joel a break, shall we?"

Joel hadn't even processed her words, but across the table, the man's fingers tightened around his wine glass.

Ian's piercing gaze locked onto Eleanor's face. He watched her gracefully shield Joel, acting like a devoted, caring girlfriend, so protective and considerate. She could show Joel such natural concern and defense, yet with him, there was always that faint, unbreakable wall of distance.

Ian lowered his eyes, his thick lashes casting a small shadow beneath them, concealing the turbulent emotions swirling in their depths.

An observant colleague next to him refilled his glass.

He tilted his head back and drained the glass in one go, the movement carrying a hint of barely concealed agitation. The liquor burned a path down his throat, but it did little to quell the intense jealousy surging within him.

From a few seats away, Gavin keenly sensed the shift in mood. He got up and leaned in close to Ian. "Mr. Goodwin, you've had a lot to drink tonight. Should I take you home to rest?"

Ian didn't answer, simply picking up his utensils and taking a bite of food. The message was clear: he wasn't leaving.

Gavin had no choice but to return to his seat.

Eleanor also noticed the change in the man across from her. The people who had been about to toast Joel quietly backed away. Joel, feeling a bit dizzy, was sipping water. Eleanor glanced at Ian and found him leaning back in his chair, his eyes half-closed, his brow furrowed in discomfort. Under the lights, his pale skin was flushed with a drunken haze. He had clearly had too much.

She frowned slightly and silently averted her gaze.

When Ian opened his eyes, he caught her looking away from him. He narrowed his eyes.

She could smile so naturally at Joel, show her concern so directly, but for him, she wouldn't even offer a simple word of comfort?

Despite the storm brewing inside him, he showed no trace of it on his face. He didn't want to leave. He couldn't bear to. So he just sat there, stewing in his silence.

Just then, Joel stood up, stumbling slightly.

His hand froze, as if someone had hit a pause button. He looked up, a clear flicker of astonishment in his eyes. Her words hit him cleanly, and something in his chest loosened—surprise turning, impossibly, into hope. His eyes lit up with surprise and delight.

Was she… worried about him?

Just like she was worried about Joel?

No, to his ears, it sounded more like she was reining him in.

Ian stared at her for a few seconds, still processing it, but Eleanor had already looked away.

She didn’t see the smile take hold, the guardedness in him giving way as if a latch had quietly clicked open.

Gavin, who was busy eating, also noticed the exchange and couldn't help but smile to himself. It seemed Mr. Goodwin was having a good night after all. It had to be Miss Sutton. A single word of concern from her was all it took to cure his foul mood.

"Alright. I'll listen to you," came Ian's deep, gentle voice.