"What''s the matter with Miss Shannon?" Joel asked with concern, picking up Vanessa''s chart for a quick nce.


    Vanessa managed a weak smile. "Just caught a nasty virus, that''s all."


    "Don''t worry. This time, we''ve got the right medication. You''re going to be just fine," Joel reassured her.


    "Dr. Kingsley, I heard the new drug was developed by Dr. Lyman''s team. Don''t tell me you''re the genius behind it!" Vanessa teased, recalling what Henry had once told her about Joel''s medical brilliance.


    Joel chuckled. "Not me. Someone else deserves the credit." He shot a quick nce atn.


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    "Miss Shannon, just focus on getting better. I''ll be on my way now," Joel said gently. He nodded atn before stepping out.


    Eleanor was waiting for him by the elevator. Joel caught sight of her and let out a long sigh.


    "What''s wrong?" Eleanor asked with a light smile.


    "Ian''s heart really isn''t with you anymore," Joel answered. "He looks beat- probably hasn''t slept for two nights."


    Eleanor just shrugged. "I stopped caring about that a long time ago."


    "He doesn''t realize you''re the one who developed the new drug?" Joel pressed.


    Eleanor shook her head. "No need to tell him."


    "He''ll figure it out after tomorrow''s interview airs," Joel remarked.


    Back in theb, Joel called a meeting and updated everyone on the situation. He assigned a few more samples to various teams, hoping they could help identify the cause as quickly as possible.


    "This outbreak seems confined to one area-Marlowe Vige, near Soutke Reservoir," Joel exined. "Patients are experiencing severe vomiting, blurred vision, redness in the eyes, elevated hemoglobin, fevers, and trouble walking." Faye''s fists clenched as she listened. This time, she was determined to outpace Eleanor-she couldn''t let Eleanor outshine her again.


    Eleanor listened quietly. Sunlight nted through the blinds, casting a soft glow over her. Her dark hair was pulled up neatly, with a few stray strands framing her face, highlighting her fair skin and giving her an almost ethereal presence.


    Joel adjusted his sses, his gaze distant for a moment.


    Faye caught the scene and felt a pang of jealousy. Eleanor had to be twenty-six by now, but she still looked radiant-rosy lips, wless skin, almost heartbreakingly beautiful.


    Back at her own workstation, Eleanor buried herself in research. Around three- thirty, her phone buzzed with a message from Xavier.


    "Would it be alright if Evelyn came over to my ce tonight?" he asked.


    Eleanor hesitated; her daughter had begged her several times before, but she''d always said no. This time, she smiled and typed back, "That''s very kind of you. Thank you."


    "No trouble at all. I''ll pick her up after ss and you can swing by around eight to get her."


    "Perfect," Eleanor replied.


    With Evelyn taken care of, Eleanor could focus on her work. At five-thirty,n sent her a message: "When will you be home? I''m back."


    She guessed Xavier had already texted him too. She replied, "Still at the university. I''ll head back soon."


    Once she''d straightened up theb, Eleanor began preparing herself on the drive home-tonight, she''d finally confrontn and find a way to get him to hand over his phone, even if it meant picking a fight.


    When she got home, Joslyn greeted her at the door. "Wee back, ma''am."


    Eleanor nced at the shoes by the entryway, grabbed her bag, and took the stairs two at a time. She pushed openn''s door-inside, the room was dim and quiet. He was asleep.


    The noise woke him. Ian opened his eyes, sat up, and looked at her. "What is it?"