"I bet it''s because she doesn''t have the credentials. Who''s going to believe someone who never even finished college could develop a breakthrough medicine? If people see her interview, they might not even trust the drug!"


    "You''re right. Faye definitely presents a better image for ourb."


    The two women chatted as they left the room.


    A few minutester, Eleanor stepped out. She entered the elevator and pressed the button for theb floor. She tried not to let her colleagues'' gossip bother her, but it still left a bitter taste.


    Turning into the corridor, she spotted Gwenda walking arm-in-arm with Faye. Faye''s eyes narrowed at the sight of her, but Eleanor simply nodded in greeting.


    "Hi, Eleanor," Gwenda called out with a friendly smile.


    As they passed, Faye suddenly stopped and turned, calling after her. "Eleanor, I need to exin. I never meant to take your spot forst night''s interview."


    Eleanor turned, meeting her gaze.


    She said nothing, but Faye could feel the weight of her resentment, and it made her squirm.


    "Eleanor, the interviewst night was scheduled for two people," Gwenda interjected, trying to smooth things over. "Faye had to step in at thest minute. Don''t me her."


    "I''m not ming her," Eleanor replied coolly.


    But Faye bristled. "You say you''re fine with it, but that''s not what you really think, is it?"


    "Faye, I''m sure Eleanor isn''t ming you," Gwenda soothed. "Don''t overthink it."


    Eleanor offered a faint smile and turned away.


    Faye''s expression soured even further; she couldn''t shake the feeling that Eleanor''s smile was mocking her.


    "What''s so special about her anyway?" Faye grumbled, biting her lip. "She just got lucky."


    Gwendaughed. "Honestly, you looked amazing on camerast night.


    Everyone''s saying you looked even better than a movie star! And you and Dr. Kingsley made quite the pair."


    A faint blush crept across Faye''s cheeks. "Who said that?"


    "Everyone''s talking about it-wondering if you and Dr. Kingsley are secretly dating."


    Faye smirked. "That''s pure rumor."


    "You never know," Gwenda teased. "Sometimes rumors have a way ofing true."


    Faye shot her a yful re, but inside, she secretly enjoyed the thought.


    If only it were true, she mused.<fn1da4> Official source is Find★Novel</fn1da4>


    Eleanor slipped into herb coat and entered the cold storage room, retrieving several boxes of newly arrived samples for testing. She focused on the data, methodically recording results. Last night''s news reyed in her mind-more and more people in that vige were presenting symptoms. It was clearly an outbreak in a localized area. But what had caused it?


    At lunch, Eleanor had just sat down when Joel joined her with his tray, fresh from a meeting.


    After asking about her daughter, he mentionedst night''s interview, regret in his voice. "That should''ve been your moment. It''s a shame you missed it."


    Eleanor smiled faintly. "It doesn''t matter who did it, as long as theb is represented."


    Joel, however, couldn''t help but feel disappointed. He''d hoped it would be Eleanor sitting beside him on camera.


    That afternoon, the two of them visited a nearby hospital again. Eleanor noticed that Vanessa had already been discharged.


    "The coroner''s examining a newly deceased patient tomorrow," Joel told her. "Do you want toe?"


    Eleanor considered it-an autopsy might yield new answers. She nodded. "I''ll go." "Not scared?" Joel asked, grinning.


    "Not with you there," Eleanor replied with a small smile.


    Joel chuckled. "Alright. If you get nervous, just let me know."


    He nced toward the cafeteria entrance, then leaned in. "Your husband''s here."


    Eleanor stiffened, following his gaze. Ian strode through the noisy cafeteria in a sharp ck suit, his striking looks andmanding presence impossible to ignore.


    She had no desire to see him, especially in front of her colleagues. Grabbing her tray, she murmured to Joel, "I''m leaving."


    Joel blinked in surprise as Eleanor, barely having touched her lunch, got up and walked away.<pn watched her retreat, his brows furrowing in annoyance. But it was clear he hadn''te for Eleanor-he headed straight for Joel''s table and sat down across from him.