At noon, Eleanor arrived right on time at the restaurant Xavier had chosen. Juliette hadn''t been feeling welltely and rarely made public appearances. Yet today, despite her frail health, she''d insisted on meeting Eleanor in person. Eleanor, knowing this, wouldn''t dream of being disrespectful.
"Miss Sutton, I truly value your expertise in medical research," Juliette began, her tone gentle but earnest. "Even though you''re currently working in Dr. Lyman''sb, our research interests are closely aligned."
Eleanor nodded, matching Juliette''s seriousness. "Absolutely, Mrs. Grayson. Science knows no borders, and since ourbs are both in the same field, we should support and learn from each other."
"If there''s anything you need from me, don''t hesitate to ask," Eleanor added.
A faint smile appeared on Juliette''s lips. She reached into her bag, pulling out a folder and handing it to Eleanor. "This is thetest data from ourb''s cancer drug project. I''d appreciate it if you could take a look and offer your insights."
Eleanor paused, a little taken aback by the trust Juliette was cing in her. She epted the folder, flipping to the first page. Her eyes darted quickly over the dense molecr diagrams and experimental results. When she looked up at Juliette, there was a hint of surprise in her gaze. "Is this a new targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer?"
Xavier picked up the thread, his voice carrying a somber note. "My aunt is a breast cancer survivor. She''s poured her heart into this project, and they''ve just finished the animal trials."
Juliette coughed quietly, her face pale. "Miss Sutton, I know you''re already busy with your own research, but if you could spare some time to review our findings and share your thoughts, I''d be grateful."
Eleanor could feel the weight of the folder in her hands, and even more, the hope in Juliette''s eyes. She nodded solemnly. "Of course, Mrs. Grayson. I''ll go over the data carefully and get back to you as soon as I can."
Lunch ended on that note.
Xavier offered to drive Eleanor back to herb.
In the car, he nced in the rearview mirror at Eleanor. "My aunt thinks the world
of you. She always says that if you joined our team, the project would move ahead much faster."
Eleanor smiled. “Dr. Lyman has been a great mentor to me, so I don''t n to switchbs for now. But I''d be happy to keep coborating."
Xavier nodded, not pressing the issue. He respected Eleanor''s decisions.
Back at herb, Eleanor was just starting to work through the pile of new data when Simone''s assistant knocked at the door. "Eleanor, Professor Langley wants to see you."
Eleanor set down the folder and left the office. Momentster, Faye entered-she was dropping off a file from Meridian Dynamics for Eleanor.
Faye had just finished stacking the documents and was about to leave when she noticed a folder from Juliette''sb sitting on Eleanor''s desk. She frowned, picked
it up, and without hesitation, broke the seal to take a look.
After skimming the contents, Faye gave a cold, derisiveugh. "So, Eleanor''s nning to jump ship to Juliette''sb, is she?"
Honestly, Faye wouldn''t mind if she did.
But if Eleanor did move, she''d only gain even more recognition and influence, which would make her even harder topete with. It was better to keep her tied up here, buried in a research project that had little chance of breakthrough. That way, Eleanor''s time and energy would be drained, and Faye could focus on winning credit with Meridian Dynamics.
When Eleanor returned, she quietly tucked Juliette''s folder into a drawer before heading out to theb.
Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was Wednesday. That morning, Eleanor dropped her daughter off at school. The little girl was already giddy with anticipation.
"Mom, how manyyers will tonight''s cake have? Can I help you cut the cake?" "How manyyers do you want?" Eleanor asked,ughing.
"Six! I want a sixyer cake!"
"Sixyers, huh?" Eleanor grinned and nodded. "Alright, I''ll order a sixyer cake tonight. But you have to promise not to eat too much, okay?"
"I know, Mom!" Her daughter was growing more sensible every day.
Eleanor was in high spirits herself. The hotel had set up the private function room
for her party the night before and sent her photos-it looked so warm and inviting. Tonight was going to be a wonderful evening.
"Sweetheart, you''re the star tonight, so don''t dress too casually."
Eleanor chuckled. "Don''t worry, I''ve already called the dress shop. The styling team will be there to help me get ready—and maybe give you a little m, too.”
"Please, the guests tonight are all your admirers," her friend Joy teased over the phone.
Eleanor''s cheeks flushed. "Don''t be ridiculous, they''re just friends and colleagues."
Joyughed, her tone yfully suggestive. "Should I send an invitation to Major General Ellington, too? I do love watching a little friendlypetition."
"Joy!" Eleanor sputtered, halfughing, half-exasperated, wishing she could reach through the phone and swat her.
At 4:30 that afternoon, Eleanor got a call from the dress shop-her team had
already arrived at the Vesper Joy Hotel and were waiting for her.
As she was packing up to leave work, she heard Gwenda''s voice from the reception area. "Can I help you?"
"Is Miss Eleanor Sutton here?" someone asked.
Eleanor stepped out of her office, surprised to see two out-of-breath young
women holding a bouquet and a gift bag.
"I''m Eleanor," she said.
"Miss Sutton, we''ve finally found you!" They looked exhausted-apparently, they''d
been wandering the research building for ages.
"Don''t you remember me, Miss Sutton? I''m Mrs. Ellington''s assistant.”
Eleanor looked at the slightly plump girl, recognition dawning. "Of course, I remember."
But why was Mrs. Ellington''s assistant bringing her flowers and a gift?
"These are for you, Miss Sutton. And this gift as well."
Eleanor epted the bouquet and present, curiosity getting the better of her. "Did Mrs. Ellington send these?"
The assistant smiled. "Someone asked our Mrs. Ellington to pass them along to you."