Eleanor shook her head.


    There were two reasons she''d worked so hard to set up this research project: to fulfill herte father''s wish, and to secure a real, respectable job-a foundation for the custody battle she knew was looming withn.


    That''s why, before the project was officially established, she didn''t wantn to know what she was up to.


    "Joel, I need a favor," Eleanor said, her eyes pleading as she looked at him.


    Joel had an inkling of what she wanted. He spoke first, "You want me to give the presentation for you, don''t you?"


    "With your reputation, you''re bound to be more convincing than I am," Eleanor nodded.


    Joel had already read her speech. With his remarkable memory, he''d memorized it word for word. Delivering it on stage would be no problem-but such a brilliant speech was abor of love for her.


    "How could anyone not cherish a woman as smart and beautiful as you?" Joel said softly, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.


    Eleanor lowered her gaze. She could see Joel''s concern, but she couldn''t let herself respond.


    The conference room was filling up with influential business leaders, some of them CEOS and board chairs arriving in person.<fndfc0> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find[?]ovel</fndfc0>


    Jude Vaughn opened the event with a rousing introduction, then handed things over to Joel to spotlight the research direction.


    Joel took the stage in a ck turtleneck and a casual gray zer. His words were sharp and sinct, and his every gesture radiated the effortless charisma of a medical prodigy.


    Eleanor didn''t miss a moment. She sat quietly in the back row, blending in like a reserved university student. Yet the confidence and cutting-edge medical insights in Joel''s speech were all her handiwork.


    "Of course they went with Joel-he''s a legend," whispered one colleague up front. "They say he only stepped in at thest minute. With all these heavy hitters in the room, if Eleanor had gone up there, she probably would''ve scared the big bosses off."


    "Seriously. When I read in the email that Eleanor was supposed to present, I was embarrassed for the whole team. She didn''t even finish college—how can she represent the project? What a joke."


    "I''d rather see Faye up there. At least she''s got some credibility."


    The two colleagues kept chatting, oblivious to Eleanor sitting just behind them.


    Eleanor listened in silence. With her background, she knew she had little authority to be in thisb, let alone lead it. It was no surprise people mocked her behind her back.


    But she needed this team, and she needed a powerful investor to back the project.


    As she watched Joel''smanding performance on stage, utterly captivated, she suddenly felt a pair of eyes on her from the hallway.


    She turned and sawn outside the conference room, taking a call on his cell. His cool gaze lingered on her, unreadable and distant.


    Eleanor frowned. Their eyes met for a brief three seconds before she looked away.


    A few minutester, Eleanor quietly slipped out, heading up to the tenth-floor office to rest.


    Half an hourter, a text from Jude Vaughn popped up: "Ellie, where''d you go? We''ve got another meetinging up soon."


    "I''m in the office," Eleanor replied.


    Just then, Joel texted her too: "Ellie, stay put for now.n seems interested in talking about a partnership—he hasn''t left yet."