The next afternoon, when Eleanor and Joel arrived at Meridian Dynamics for their meeting, they immediately sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Where people used to find brief moments to catch their breath between tasks, now everyone was hunched over their desks, working with intense focus.


    Inside Byron''s office, the tension was just as heavy. He slid a folder across the desk toward Eleanor. "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin has asked us to prioritize this line of research. He wants you to lead the team."


    Eleanor flipped through the file, her brows knitting together. "This is a risky direction. It''ll require extensive experiments and validation."


    "Mr. Goodwin said resources aren''t an issue." Byron gave her a meaningful look. "He seems to have a lot of faith in your abilities."


    Eleanor closed the folder. “Alright. I''ll do my best."


    Back in herb, Eleanor took a closer look at the documents. The project was focused on chronic lymphocytic leukemia right now, bone marrow transnts were the only real cure. Their coborative experiment was aimed in exactly that direction.


    If she took the lead, Eleanor knew her workload would skyrocket.


    Meanwhile, Byron''s office phone rang. He picked up. "Hello? Who is this?"


    "Did she agree?"n''s voice came through.


    Byron sat up, startled. "Mr. Goodwin, it''s you! Yes, Miss Sutton agreed."


    "Good. Make sure you support her researchpletely."


    "We''ll give Miss Sutton''s team top priority," Byron promised.


    Back in theb, Eleanor discussed the new assignment with Simone, who was enthusiastic about having Eleanor lead the project. Joel, who had been working closely with her, would continue managing their previous studies. Simone assigned Callie from the experimental group to assist Eleanor.


    That afternoon, as Eleanor worked on her proposal in her office, Joel knocked and came in, cing a folder on her desk. "Ellie, this is your mother''s donor sample. I''m entrusting it to you now."


    Eleanor''s breath caught. She picked up the folder, flipping to the consent form signed by her mother—a document her parents had always kept safe, a symbol of something deeply important.


    She understood her mother''s motivation for donating; it was about saving as many lives as possible. Now, that wish was in Eleanor''s hands to fulfill.


    "You''ll do great. I believe in you," Joel said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before he left.


    Later, Eleanor and Callie sat down for a meeting in one of the smaller offices. Callie was quiet by nature, but her recent work had been impressive. She''d once resented Eleanor, assuming she''d gotten her position through family connections. But after everything that had happened, her old prejudices had faded; now, there was only a quiet respect.


    "Eleanor, I''m honored to work with you. If you need anything, just let me know-I''lII give it my all."


    Just then, Faye walked in, arms full of paperwork.


    "Professor Langley asked me to bring you this data." Faye dropped the hefty stack onto Eleanor''s desk, her eyes shing with irritation.


    “Thank you,” Eleanor said evenly, ncing at the overwhelming pile.


    Faye shot her a sidelong look, scoffing inwardly. Eleanor used to enjoy special treatment thanks to her family connections, but now that her supporters were gone, Faye doubted she''d keep her head held high for long.


    The truth was, this new research project was like staring at the edge of modern medicine—a challenge so daunting, it felt impossible to even grasp where to begin. It would devour Eleanor''s time and energy, and, in the end, might not yield any real results at all.