After Jude Vaughn''s initial outburst, he quickly collected himself, his expression turning defeated. "This was my oversight," he admitted. "I should have caught the issue sooner. Honestly, Ellie, if it weren''t for you, I''d be the one to me if things went wrong down the line."


    "This isn''t your fault," Eleanor offered gently.


    "I still should have supervised more closely," Jude sighed, rubbing his forehead. Suddenly, something urred to him, and his face grew even more serious. "Rnd''spany was personally rmended by Mr. Goodwin. I''m afraid this might end up involving him as well."


    "Jude, if there''s a problem, bring it up with him directly. If he doesn''t take responsibility, we''ll escte it. Either way, this has to be resolved," Eleanor replied, her voice steady.


    She was certain thatn wouldn''t go out of his way to shield Rnd. Even if Rnd was confronted, he''d probably just find a few scapegoats among his staff to take the fall.


    "We have only ten days left before the officialunch. I need to contact Rnd immediately and have him rece the faulty equipment," Jude said, then turned to Eleanor. "Ellie, can you double-check everything? Take photos of any issues you find."


    "Of course," Eleanor nodded.


    She and Joel spent the next several hours inspecting other machines, snapping pictures of a dozen or so units that looked problematic. They finally wrapped up and left around four in the afternoon.


    No sooner had Eleanor stepped through her front door than her phone rang- Jude again. "Ellie, do you have a moment? I''d like you toe over, if you can."


    "Where are you, Jude?"


    "I''ve arranged to meet with Mr. Yeaton tonight. Since you were the first to spot the problem, I want you there for the discussion. We''ll be in the conference room at Yeaton Holdings."


    "I''ll be there." Eleanor didn''t hesitate. She wasn''t about to back down when it came to theb''s equipment.


    When she arrived in the lobby of Yeaton Medical Systems, someone was already waiting for her.


    "Excuse me, are you Miss Sutton?"


    "I am."


    "Right this way, please."


    She was led to a conference room. Around the long oval table,rge enough for more than a dozen people, Jude Vaughn and Rnd sat among six or seven others. As soon as Eleanor entered, she was warmly greeted.


    "Miss Sutton, please, have a seat!" Rnd stood up and weed her personally, all smiles, hisposure wless-clearly, he''de prepared for this confrontation.


    "Now that everyone''s here..." Rnd began with a pleasant smile.


    "There''s still one more person toe. Let''s wait for Mr. Yeaton," Jude interjected.


    Eleanor had barely sat down when footsteps echoed from the hallway. Jude looked relieved and rose from his seat to greet the neer in person.


    She turned and blinked in surprise. It wasn.


    Rnd clearly hadn''t expectedn to show up either. He shot to his feet and hurried over. "Mr. Goodwin! What an honor-thank you foring, sir."<fnd151> This text is hosted at Find~Novel</fnd151>


    "Mr. Goodwin, please, take the head seat." Rnd gestured grandly, while his assistant quickly pulled out the chair at the head of the table forn.


    With that, he crossed the room and took the empty seat beside Eleanor.


    Everyone else stood up, faces bright with courteous smiles-everyone except Eleanor, who remained seated, her face cool and unreadable.