Eleanor froze for a moment, and even Jude Vaughn looked a little surprised. Still, since the twobs were coborative partners, it was a good sign for Eleanor to be weed by either.


    "Thank you, Mrs. Grayson, for thinking so highly of me," Eleanor replied politely. "I''m only a sophomore right now, and I don''t think I''m ready to join your research team just yet. I hope you''ll understand."


    Mrs. Grayson smiled warmly. "You''re Elliot''s daughter-your ability speaks for itself. I see a great deal of potential in you, Miss Sutton. I hope you''ll think it over. There''s no rush to decide right away."


    "I will, Mrs. Grayson. Thank you. I''ll give it careful thought," Eleanor said with a smile.


    "Come, join me for a drink! Our team leader is here tonight, and I''d like to introduce you," Mrs. Grayson said, gesturing for Eleanor to follow.<fne190> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find[?]ovel</fne190>


    Eleanor nodded and apanied Mrs. Juliette Grayson out to the reception hall. As they stepped outside, they almost immediately ran inton and Vanessa. Vanessa greeted them enthusiastically. "Mrs. Grayson! We were justing over to say hello."


    "Ian, I don''t suppose I need to introduce your wife to you, do I?" Mrs. Grayson teased with a good-naturedugh.


    Vanessa, on the other hand, couldn''t hide her irritation. Clearly, Eleanor had sought out Juliette on purpose. At an event like this, being seen with Juliette Grayson was a definite boost to one''s standing.


    "You two enjoy your drinks. I just need to borrow your wife for a moment-there''s someone I''d like her to meet. I''ll bring her right back," Mrs. Grayson said, taking Eleanor''s hand warmly and steering her toward another part of the hall.


    Vanessa''s smile faltered. Had Eleanor really caught Juliette''s special attention?


    She nced over at Xavier, who was chatting with someone across the room, but he seemed entirely unaware of what was happening.


    Just then, a waiter passed by with a tray.n, usually seen with a ss of red wine, reached for a whiskey instead and took a slow sip.


    Meanwhile, under Juliette''s introduction, Eleanor met the team leader-a distinguished man in his early fifties, well-respected in the medical field. He greeted Eleanor with genuine admiration shining in his eyes.


    "Miss Sutton, we''d be delighted to have you on our team."


    "Thank you. It''s an honor to meet you," Eleanor replied sincerely.


    After a while, Mrs. Juliette Grayson, beginning to look a bit tired, turned to


    Eleanor. "There''s one more person I''d like you to meet."


    Before Eleanor could respond, she found herself being led across the room-only


    to realize, with surprise, that the person waiting for them was Xavier.


    "My nephew, Xavier," Mrs. Grayson said with a smile.


    Eleanor was momentarily stunned. Xavier was Mrs. Grayson''s nephew? That would make her his aunt.


    "Aunt Juliette, Eleanor and I have known each other for quite some time," Xavier said with an easy grin.


    Julietteughed, shaking her head. "Of course! How forgetful of me. You andn grew up together-I should have remembered."


    Nearby, someone watched them quietly, their emotions impossible to read.


    Juliette turned back to Eleanor, her tone turning earnest as she encouraged her again to consider joining the research team, assuring her she would be well taken care of.


    Eleanor, however, didn''t give a definite answer. For her, research had never been about money, and deep down, Joel''s team would always be her first choice.


    After Mrs. Juliette Grayson moved on, Eleanor excused herself to the restroom. When she stepped back into the corridor, she foundn waiting there, leaning against the wall as if he''d been anticipating her.


    Eleanor tried to walk past without acknowledging him, but before she could, his hand closed firmly around her arm. "We need to talk," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.