An hourter, Eleanor Sutton''s lecture drew to a close.


    The audience erupted into enthusiastic apuse once more.


    She offered a gracious bow, thanking everyone for their support.


    Afterward, a number of figures from the medicalmunity crowded forward, eager to speak with Eleanor and exchange ideas.


    Xavier Vaughn lingered at the edge of the crowd, waiting patiently for his turn. Only after the throng thinned out did he approach her, a warm smile on his face. "Your lecture was a huge sess. Congrattions."


    "Thank you. It''s only possible because of everyone''s support," Eleanor replied with a gentle smile. Her gaze swept over the conference hall and noticed thatn Goodwin had already slipped out.


    "Are you free for lunch? I''d like to treat you to a meal to celebrate," Xavier asked in his soft, inviting tone.


    Eleanor was just about to answer when her phone buzzed in her hand.


    She nced down. A message fromn: "I''m waiting in your office. There''s something important we need to discuss."


    She frowned, her reply clipped and cool: "If this is about the research, I''ll submit the official report on Monday."


    But he was persistent: "I''ll wait for you."


    Xavier noticed the shift in her expression. "Is everything alright?"


    "It''s nothing. I might have to stop by Meridian Dynamics at noon, so lunch will have to wait," Eleanor said, remembering she''d also received an email from Byron Chase, asking her toe by.


    "No problem. We''ll catch up next time," Xavier said, concern flickering in his eyes as he noticed the dark circles beneath hers. "You should get some rest-don''t work too hard."


    "Thank you." His thoughtful words warmed her, a quiet kindness that lingered even after he left.


    As soon as Xavier was gone, Eleanor headed straight for her office.


    She opened the door to findn standing by the window. He turned at the sound, his gaze sharp and unreadable.


    "Let''s hear it." Eleanor set her files on the desk, her tone distant.


    Eleanor blinked in surprise.


    Raleigh was a legend in the pharmaceutical world. Gaining his backing meant her project could move forward with the highest level of resources and support.


    She could refuse help fromn in other aspects of her life, but when it came to academic support, she couldn''t turn it down.


    "Don''t overthink it. I''m not doing this for you,"n''s voice was low, almost icy. The truth hit her he was doing this for Vanessa Shannon.


    Vanessa desperately needed the new drug Eleanor was developing. Everythingn invested into her research-no matter how much was just another way to save Vanessa.


    He''d poured half a billion dors into this research and pulled every string for her, but only because it might save someone else.


    Eleanor took the card and set it on the desk. "Thank you. I''ll be in touch with him.”


    Eleanor updated Simone Langley about the new development. Simone agreed- getting in touch with Raleigh was the right move, and his academic support could prove invaluable.


    Back in her office, Eleanor called Raleigh. A warm, steady voice answered, "Miss Sutton, I''ve heard so much about you. Mr. Goodwin has told me all about your work, and I''m very much looking forward to speaking with you in person."


    "Thank you, Mr. Raleigh. The pleasure is mine—I''d be honored to receive your guidance," Eleanor replied with her usual professionalism.


    They agreed to set a meeting once Raleigh confirmed his avability.


    Just as she hung up, a message from Joel Kingsley appeared on her phone.


    "Where are you? I''ve reserved a table for lunch. Come join us."


    She checked the time, grabbed her bag, and replied, "On my way."


    When Eleanor arrived at the restaurant, Joel and his team were already there, joined by two new members. As soon as she walked in, they greeted her with admiration. "Miss Sutton, it''s an honor to meet you."


    Faye Yeaton, clutching her teacup with a less-than-pleased expression, sat quietly. As the originator of the project''s core theory, Eleanor''s influence at Meridian Dynamics was undeniable.


    "Miss Sutton, I heard your research has made another breakthrough. That''s amazing."


    "I read yourtest paper in the International Journal-it was astonishing," another teammate chimed in.


    Faye''s grip on her cup tightened. Whenever Eleanor was around, she faded into the background.


    Joel, meanwhile, kept his gaze on Eleanor, exchanging updates about his current research. Frustrated, Faye finally spoke up, "Joel, this is highly confidential work. Should we really be discussing it with people outside the team?"


    Joel looked momentarily taken aback. "Eleanor isn''t an outsider."


    "Who''s to say?" Faye muttered, then caught herself and cleared her throat. "I''m just saying, that''s all."


    Sensing the tension, Eleanor cut in, "Joel, let''s save the research talk for when we meet with Mr. Chase."


    "Good idea. Let''s eat," Joel agreed.


    Faye narrowed her eyes, recalling the files she''d seen in Eleanor''s office from Juliette Grayson''sb. Juliette''s team was working on simr research, and if Meridian Dynamics ever suffered a data breach, Eleanor would be the prime suspect.


    Faye''s lips curled into a dismissive smile.


    The Meridian Dynamics tower gleamed in the sunlight, a striking symbol of cutting-edge technology.


    Byron greeted Eleanor and escorted her into theb, where she observed a simtion run by their Al robotics team. Byron''s brow was furrowed. "Miss Sutton, we''re stuck at this stage. We''ve brainstormed countless solutions, but none have achieved the efficiency you described in your theory. We can''t seem to pinpoint the problem."


    Faye quickly interjected, "Mr. Chase, we''re still working on it. Just give us a bit more time."


    Byron nodded. "I know you all are talented, but since Miss Sutton developed the core theory, I''d like to hear her thoughts as well."