10 a.m.


    Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a call from Joel. He''d finished a round of research and wanted her toe by and discuss the results.


    She grabbed her keys and headed for theb, her car followed closely by the security detail.


    As Eleanor stepped into the mainb hall, the people who recognized her greeted her warmly.


    After being away for a week, Eleanor had no idea that rumors about her had started circting through the research building and all across Ashford Medical University.


    Just as she turned down the hallway, she nearly collided with Faye and Gwenda, who were on their way to a meeting.


    Gwenda blinked in surprise. "Eleanor! What are you doing here? Are youing to the meeting too?"


    Before Eleanor could respond, Faye interjected, "She wasn''t invited by the professor."


    "I''m here to see Joel," Eleanor said simply.


    Gwenda exchanged a knowing nce with Faye. "Well, we''d better hurry then, before Professor Langley gets impatient."


    With a smug little smile, Gwenda turned to Eleanor. "We''re off to the meeting, see you!"


    In just a few words, Gwenda had made it clear that she''d already joined Simone''s research group. Even if she was just an assistant, the new position was enough to make her giddy.


    Eleanor walked to Joel''s office and knocked before stepping inside. Joel looked up and smiled. "Come in—I''ve got something to show you."


    She followed him into hisb, where he''d made progress on a case involving a cancer patient.


    "Ellie, your ideas about using future Al and virtual cell technology to simte tumor behavior are promising. I''d like to propose we dig deeper into this for precision drug design."


    Eleanor''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Joel, that''s incredible."


    "You inspired me," Joel admitted. "But my own skills aren''t quite there I can''t achieve the level of urate simtion you described. Ellie, I''d like to formally ask you to join the project. After all, you first proposed the theory, and I know you can take it further."


    With Simone now leading the team, Eleanor would need her approval to join.


    "I''ll need to speak with Dr. Langley," Eleanor said. "I want to discuss this with her one-on-one."


    Joel hesitated. "I''ve heard some stories about her history with your father. Do you think that''ll be a problem?"


    "My parents have both passed away," Eleanor replied quietly. "I don''t think she''d let old history get in the way." If Simone were the sentimental type, she wouldn''t have achieved what she had.


    Joel''s assistant ducked out to check and confirmed that Simone had returned to her office.


    Eleanor made her way to the office and reached for the door, but before she could knock, Faye stepped out, nearly running into her.


    "What are you doing here?" Faye demanded, clearly annoyed.


    Eleanor must be here to beg her advisor for a spot on the team, Faye thought.


    "I''d like a word with Professor Langley," Eleanor said.


    "My advisor''s busy-" Faye started to block her, but was cut off by Simone''s voice from inside.


    "Faye, let her in."


    Faye faltered, then brushed past Eleanor without another word.


    Eleanor entered, closing the door behind her. "Dr. Langley, do you have a moment?"<fn5e27> Official source is f?ndnovel</fn5e27>


    Simone, sses perched on her nose and her silver-streaked hair swept back in


    a tidy bun, sipped her tea and gestured to the chair opposite. "Sit down."


    Eleanor took the seat, her expression earnest. "Dr. Langley, I''d like to join your research team."


    "You know my standards," Simone replied, her tone sharp. "Even if you''re Elliot''s daughter, I won''t make exceptions."


    Eleanor nodded. "I understand. I n to take the elerated exam. If I can graduate early, would you consider giving me a chance?"


    "You''re confident you can pull that off?" Simone''s eyes narrowed. "Your father and


    I both finished every course by the book before we graduated. It wasn''t easy, I can tell you that."