With the athletic meet behind her, Eleanor was once again immersed in her research. Foundational experiments demanded both patience and stamina― qualities she was now drawing on daily.


    Fortunately, Callie proved to be a capable assistant, handling several of the animal trials for her. Thanks to his help, Eleanor made a few promising discoveries.


    After a particrly exhausting round of experiments, Eleanor copsed into the chair in her office, rubbing her temples. Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Joy, forwarding her a link.


    "This is infuriating."


    Eleanor clicked it open. It was an announcement-Vanessa had just been named the global ambassador for an international jewelry brand.


    "A global ambassador? How on earth did she pull that off?"


    Before Eleanor could respond, another message from Joy popped up-this time a vlog.


    Eleanor tapped to y. On-screen, Vanessa appeared in a sleek ck designer gown, a sparkling diamond ne worth millions draped elegantly around her neck. She smiled serenely into the camera and said, "I''m deeply honored to have the brand''s trust and to be their global ambassador. I hope every woman knows she deserves love—just as someone once told me: you deserve the very best."


    Her fingers grazed the jewels at her throat, and she looked into the camera with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through the screen, as if speaking to someone specific.


    Eleanor''s hand hovered, motionless, over her phone.


    There was no question who Vanessa meant by ''someone.''n.


    Another flurry of messages from Joy exploded onto her screen.


    "Seriously, this whole video is just her unting in your face."


    Eleanor calmly closed the video and typed back, "Let her have her moment. It''s got nothing to do with me."


    Still, she knew better. Vanessa wouldn''t havended such high-profile deals withoutn pulling strings behind the scenes.


    And Vanessa''s ambitions clearly went far beyond being an international piano star.


    As Eleanor set her phone down, theb door swung open. Callie poked his head in. “Eleanor, Professor Langley''s looking for you."


    Eleanor nodded, rose from her chair, and headed toward Simone Langley''s office. As she rounded the corner into another hallway, she nearly collided with Faye, who was carrying a stack of files and a cup of coffee.


    Faye shed her a sly smile. “Busy day?"


    Eleanor had no interest in small talk and tried to sidestep her, but Faye


    deliberately blocked her path, lowering her voice.


    "Oh, by the way, did you hear my sister justnded a global endorsement? Pretty impressive, don''t you think?"


    Eleanor stopped and fixed her with an icy stare. "What''s your point?"


    Faye shrugged. "Just that Mr. Goodwin cares a lot about my sister. Maybe you


    should take the hint and stop chasing after him."


    With that, she swept past Eleanor without waiting for a reaction.


    Eleanor pushed open Simone''s office door. Simone adjusted her sses and gestured for her to sit.


    "d you made it. Have a seat."


    Simone looked at her intently. "Eleanor, there''s pressure from above to move your project along. Would you consider putting in some overtime?"


    From above? Wasn on her case again?


    "Of course," Eleanor replied. "I''ll do my best to put in extra hours."


    "I know you''re already giving it your all, but the higher-ups still aren''t satisfied with the timeline. We''re all feeling the heat."


    Eleanor nodded. "Understood, Professor Langley. I''ll step it up."


    "If you run into any issues, let me know. If you need more hands, I can arrange that."


    "Thank you, but I''m okay for now." With that, Eleanor excused herself and headed out.


    She nced at her watch. Only an hour left before she needed to pick up her daughter. A thought struck her, and she quickly sent Xavier a message.


    "Mr. Vaughn, could you pick up Evelyn for me today? I''ll be there to get her around eight."


    Xavier replied instantly. "Of course. I''ll pick her up.”


    Then he added, "Busy day at theb?"


    "Yes," she typed back. “There''s an experiment that needs results tonight. I''ll have to workte."


    "Take care of yourself and don''t overdo it," he replied.


    Relieved, Eleanor returned to theb. Callie was busy with thetest batch of mouse trials while Eleanor double-checked the data.


    Before she realized it, seven o''clock had rolled around. Her work was nearly finished for the day. She let Callie know she was heading out and gathered her things to leave.