"Dr. Lyman, Professor Langley, I''ll handle this-I promise the school won''t be dragged through the mud," Eleanor assured them.


    "All right, but until this is resolved, I want you to put your current projects on hold," Simone replied crisply. "Faye will step in for you for now."


    Eleanor nodded. Realistically, Faye was the only one who could cover her position at a moment''s notice.


    After Eleanor left, Simone pulled Faye aside for a private conversation about the situation. Faye maintained a calm front, but inside, she was practically ecstatic.


    Word had already spread through the entireb about Eleanor''s messy divorce, and everyone seemed to relish gossiping about how she''d supposedly taken half ofn''s eightpanies in the settlement.


    They called her greedy-unbelievably so.


    Online, people in their academic circles quietly fanned the mes. The world of research was a battlefield with no gunshots, after all. If Eleanor fell, her projects would be up for grabs.


    Eleanor left the research building and dialed Xavier''s number.


    "Hello, Miss Sutton." Xavier''s voice was warm and gentle.


    "Mr. Vaughn, do you have time to meet? I need your help finding a professional manager."


    "I''ve already found someone for you. We can set up a meeting anytime."


    "How about right now?" Eleanor asked.


    "Of course. Let''s meet at the café downstairs from my office."


    "Perfect. I''ll be there soon."


    Eleanor hailed a cab and headed straight to Xavier''spany.


    When she arrived, Xavier was already waiting with a middle-aged man. Xavier stood and introduced them, "This is Ellington-a trusted friend and one of my best people. He''s extremely capable and discreet."


    Eleanor hesitated for a moment, surprised that Xavier was offering her someone so valuable.


    "Miss Sutton, it''s a pleasure to meet you," Ellington said, rising and extending his hand with practiced politeness.


    Eleanor shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ellington."


    Once the three of them were seated, Ellington got straight to business. "Mr. Vaughn has given me a brief overview of your situation, Miss Sutton. I''ve already done a preliminary analysis of the eightpanies under your name and have a few suggestions."


    He pulled out his tablet and brought up a detailed proposal. "First, three of thesepanies are in the hospitality sector. You could streamline operations by consolidating resources and managing them as a unified chain..."


    Eleanor listened intently, nodding as he spoke. Ellington''s professionalism and efficiency put her at ease—and impressed her.


    She exined the problems she was currently facing. As it turned out, Ellington had handled simr issues before. "Don''t worry, Miss Sutton. Once I officiallye on board, I''ll organize all the financial reports, update the records for changes in ownership, and oversee the documentation for your asset division agreement with Mr. Goodwin. We can also coordinate with major financial media outlets to prepare a formal disclosure, ensuring everything is presented in an official, authoritative manner."


    He then offered advice on handling the fallout in her academic career. “Of course, Miss Sutton, given your unique situation, a simple statement won''t be enough in the court of public opinion. You''ll need something more impactful to turn things around."


    Eleanor''s eyes shed in understanding. "I know what you mean."


    After their meeting, Eleanor headed home. Joslyn had been taking great care of her daughter. Just as she walked in, her phone rang.


    It was her former mother-inw, Gina.


    "Aunt Gina," Eleanor greeted, her title carefully changed.


    There was a brief pause on the other end before Gina spoke. "Eleanor, I''d like to


    take Evelyn for a few days. You should focus on sorting things out."


    "That won''t be necessary, Aunt Gina. I can handle things on my own," Eleanor replied, her tone cool and distant.