They arrived at the restaurant to findn already seated at the head of the table, nked by two middle-aged men.


    As Eleanor met his gaze for a brief moment, she deliberately chose the seat farthest from him. Faye and Gwenda followed, settling in on either side of her.


    Byron stood to make the introductions. "This is Mr. Goodwin, the owner of ourpany. And here are Mr. Lambert and Mr. Spencer, both key executives." After introducing Eleanor and herpanions, everyone finally took their seats.


    It was only then that Byron remembered the conversation from earlier. He was genuinely curious to hear Eleanor''s perspective. "Miss Sutton, we were just discussing DNA origami technology. I''d love to hear your insights on the subject."


    Now, every eye in the room was on Eleanor. There was a mix of skepticism and intrigue in their stares. Byron, Meridian Al Tech''s top expert, was actually seeking advice from a young woman barely out of college?


    Eleanor was no celebrity. Her name appeared on academic papers, but her fresh, strikingly pretty face made it easy to mistake her for a student-certainly not someone with a PhD.


    What could Eleanor possibly have to say?


    She pressed her lips together, organizing her thoughts before responding.


    Faye, watching Eleanor''s carefulposure, thought to herself that this was Eleanor''s chance to trip over her own ambition. She''d tried to show off-now she''d have to deliver. If she fumbled, everyone would see her for the shallow impostor Faye believed her to be.


    Eleanor finally looked up at Byron and began, first outlining the future prospects of integrated DNA storage andputation, then analyzing potential breakthroughs and the technical challenges that might be ovee. Her voice was clear and even, her exnation flowing naturally, as if she were recounting a story she knew by heart.


    "Miss Sutton, do you really believe all of that is possible?" someone challenged, skepticism clear in his voice. After all, what she described was barely theoretical; no one had even found a starting point, let alone solved it.


    "I have absolute faith in the limitless power of technology," Eleanor answered calmly. "I believe it will happen."


    Byron was visibly moved. Meridian Al Tech had long since shifted its focus toward biotechnology, and he himself dreamed of merging it with the medicine of tomorrow. DNA origami was his vision for the future of information technology.


    "Miss Sutton, I think I''ve found a kindred spirit!" Byron eximed, practically glowing. "We must talk more in private sometime."


    Faye, for her part, barely understood a word of the technical jargon Eleanor had used. It was allpletely foreign to her.


    Joel, however, seemed unsurprised by Eleanor''s depth. He sipped his tea, a faint smile ying at his lips.


    Suddenly, Faye stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."


    "I''lle with you," Gwenda said quickly. She felt an ufortable tightness in her chest—the familiar sense that, with Eleanor present, she and Faye were invisible, just background noise.<fnd499> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on findnovel</fnd499>


    In the restroom, Faye clenched her fists and closed her eyes, struggling to suppress her frustration. Her chest rose and fell with sharp, uneven breaths.


    "Don''t let it get to you, Faye," Gwenda said with a weary sigh. "This isn''t the first time Eleanor''s stolen the spotlight. You get used to it."


    Faye bit her lip, resentment simmering beneath the surface. How could she ept that someone her own age was simply better?


    When they returned to the dining room, everyone was raising their sses ton -thepany''s big boss. No one wanted to miss the chance to make a toast.