Joel offered a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, I''ll find a chance to talk to him for you. I won''t let him judge you unfairly."


    Eleanor shook her head. "Joel, there''s no need. What he thinks of me doesn''t matter."<fncf9c> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find1Novel</fncf9c>


    "Next week is the day you''ll be epting your award at the National Academy of Sciences. I''ll go with you," Joel said.


    "Alright. I was nning on bringing my daughter along, so I''d appreciate it if you could help me keep an eye on her," Eleanor replied.


    "Of course, I''d be happy to watch her," Joel said warmly.


    Three dayster, the results from Joel''s experiment came in. He found Eleanor,


    report in hand, concern etched into his features. "The results are out."


    Eleanor was quick to ask, "What''s the verdict? Is there a match?"


    Joel nodded. "It''s aplete match."


    Eleanor''s face lost a shade of color. She couldn''t help but wonder ifn had already tested forpatibility without telling her.


    "I''ll keep searching for suitable donor samples," Joel said, unwilling to give up. "If we find another match, you can still talk to Mr. Goodwin about it."


    "Thank you, Joel," Eleanor said gratefully.


    Two days before their departure, Eleanor arranged for her daughter''s absence from school. When Evelyn heard she''d be going on a trip to Kingston with her mother, she was over the moon.


    Eleanor had already packed their suitcases. Their flight was at three in the afternoon-she was almost ready to leave.


    Downstairs, Princess, their golden retriever, barked with excitement. Momentster, Eleanor heard her daughter''s delighted voice. "Daddy! Daddy, you''re home!"


    Eleanor froze in the middle of packing, the calm she''d felt moments earlier vanishing in a sh of anger. Ian was finally back.


    But she had a ne to catch, and thest thing she wanted was to argue about her mother''s sample now.


    She pulled her suitcase downstairs, catching Evelyn''s eager voice: "Daddy, I''m going on a trip with Mommy! Do you want toe with us?"


    Eleanor sawn''s gaze shift to her as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She hefted her suitcase and called to her daughter, "Evelyn, it''s almost time to go."


    "There was no need," Eleanor replied coolly. She took Evelyn''s hand. "Come on, sweetheart, we need to get going."


    Eleanor shook off his grip. "Let go. I''ll take good care of her-you don''t need to worry."


    Evelyn, bouncing with excitement, dashed toward the car. Eleanor popped the trunk, loaded their luggage, and helped her daughter into the car seat, fastening her belt. "All set? We''re off to the airport!"


    "Yes, Mommy! I''ll be good," Evelyn promised, grinning from ear to ear.


    He leaned down to Eleanor''s window. "Text me when you arrive." Eleanor didn''t reply. She started the engine and drove out of the driveway.


    A short whileter,n asked Gavin to check Eleanor''s flight information. It only took a moment before Gavin reported, "Her flight''s to Kingston International."


    "Mr. Goodwin, the National Academy of Sciences awards ceremony is in three days. You should start getting ready to leave," Gavin reminded him.<pn nced at the stack of paperwork on his desk. He still had important business to finish-he''d have to leave early the day after tomorrow.