Chapter 16 - The Bistro Meeting
At 8:00 PM sharp, Eleanor stepped out of her town car in front of the rustic Italian bistro near Central Park.
Dressed in a simple, elegant black silk dress without a single sequin or diamond, she felt completely liberated.
Caleb was already seated at a corner wooden table, looking sharp in a tailored navy blazer and open-collar shirt.
"You look different tonight, Mrs. Vance," Caleb noted with a warm smile as she slid into the booth opposite him.
"Please, call me Eleanor. And 'different' is just me without the armor," she replied, returning his smile.
They ordered a bottle of Chianti and traditional handmade pasta, spending the first hour talking about everyday life.
Caleb shared stories of his late father's dedication to accounting before corporate greed destroyed his spirit.
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Eleanor listened intently, realizing how easily she could have become the villain in someone else's tragic story.
Over tiramisu and espresso, an unbreakable bond of mutual respect forged a new chapter for both of them.
