Gina stayed for about an hour before heading out.


    By afternoon, Evelyn''s fever had stabilized, her spirits returning to normal. She''d be discharged first thing tomorrow morning.


    "I''ll stay with Evelyn tonight. You should go home and get some rest,”n said, noting the pallor on Eleanor''s face.


    "That''s not necessary. I can stay with her," Eleanor replied, rejecting his concern outright.


    "You don''t look well-"n frowned, worry creasing his brow.


    Eleanor shot him a cold, distant nce. "I don''t need your concern."


    He didn''t even have the right to care about her anymore.


    That night, Eleanor stayed by her daughter''s side, falling asleep next to her. In the morning, after they woke, Joslyn mentioned thatn had left around dawn.


    Discharge went smoothly. Joy drove over to pick them up and take them home.


    After two days of rest, Evelyn was back to her energetic self, skipping off to school as if nothing had happened.


    During those days, Eleanor was constantly receiving updatedb data from Callie. She analyzed results while discussing the experiments with him, her mind always half in theb.


    Today, Eleanor returned to theb, diving back into her work.


    She spent the entire morning immersed in experiments, rubbing her aching temples before pushing aside her second cup of cold coffee.


    Beneath the microscope, she watched as a set of gene-edited T cells devoured leukemia cells with astonishing efficiency. The experimental data far exceeded their expectations.


    "Eleanor, these results are incredible!" Callie burst in, clutching a freshly printed analysis, eyes shining behind her sses. "And there''s no sign of a cytokine storm!"


    Eleanor took the report, her fingers brushing over the key data points.


    This kind of breakthrough wasn''t achieved overnight. Three years ago, she''d begun tinkering with this particr gene sequence, and now, finally, the results were here.


    "Eleanor, our research is going to rewrite the leukemia treatment guidelines!" Callie''s excitement was unmistakable.


    Eleanor thought of her father''s motto: "A doctor''s heart is kind, their skill and sincerity paramount."


    Now, atst, she was on the verge of changing countless lives.


    That afternoon, both Simone and Dr. Lyman Brown attended the meeting. After hearing Eleanor''s presentation, they were ted. "Eleanor, it''s time to begin animal trials!"


    Eleanor nodded in agreement.


    Later, Simone calledn to brief him on the results.


    "I''ll set up a dedicated protection fund to safeguard her research,"n responded, his voice low and steady.


    "Good," Simone replied, then added, "You asked me to check if Eleanor would consider continuing her studies abroad. I asked her. She said no."


    "Why not?"


    "She said her child is still too young."


    "Thank you, Dr. Langley. That''s all I needed."


    After hanging up, Simone frowned, unsure whatn was nning or why he couldn''t just say it outright.


    Did he want to give Eleanor more opportunities? Or was there something else?


    Simone sighed. At least Eleanor had proven herself, developing one breakthrough after another. If she ever wanted to pursue a PhD, she''d have no trouble now.


    For a week straight, Eleanor''s world revolved around her daughter and theb. Outside, the city was alive with the spirit of the holidays: streets decked with lights, the festive season in full swing.


    Evelyn''s winter break had started. Sometimes Eleanor brought her to theb. One afternoon, Simone passed by Eleanor''s office and saw the little girl perched on the sofa, happily ying with toys. For a moment, Simone felt a pang of nostalgia.


    It reminded her of Elliot Sutton years ago-raising his daughter alone, bringing her to theb every day.


    How had Eleanor ended up on the same path as her father? Simone''s heart ached as she watched Eleanor bent over her desk, working tirelessly.


    Her eyes grew misty.


    But Eleanor herself didn''t dwell on these things. When her daughter was around, she felt more at ease at work.


    Sometimes Evelyn would ask about theb equipment, and Eleanor would patiently teach her the names and simple medical facts.


    Just as her father had done when she was a child-patient, attentive, introducing


    her to the wonders of medicine, and opening the door to a world of science.


    She''d seen firsthand the allure of discovery.


    Her father, standing on the awards podium, had always been her hero-someone she admired and aspired to be.


    Then at eighteen, she''d metn. At neen, she cared for him. At twenty, she married him and became the girl who revolved her whole world around him.


    A single nce fromn could make her giddy for a whole day, shutting out her passion for learning, turning all her energy to deciphering the affection in his every look.


    Even when her father had earnestly warned her, "Ellie, don''t let anyone clip your wings,"


    She hadn''t listened.


    Now, returning to her own calling, Eleanor felt the world had opened up for her.


    Simone updatedn on the research progress, then couldn''t help but add, "Ellie''s brought Evelyn with her to theb."


    "I''m away on business, Dr. Langley,"n replied with a politeugh.


    Simone hesitated. Ian hadn''t shown any displeasure, but she realized she might have overstepped.


    He clearly didn''t want anyone ying matchmaker between him and Eleanor. Simone had heard the rumors, too.


    Simone remembered meeting her once-stunning, poised, with a presence that left nothing to be desired. Eleanor held her own, of course, but it was clear the kind of womann preferred.


    Men liken-sessful, driven-never spent much time coaxing women. They needed someone who could provide emotional support.


    “I''ll keep an extra eye on Evelyn, then," Simone said.


    Three dayster, Simone approached Eleanor with a proposal. "There''s a medical conference in Ashford City tomorrow night. Theb would like you to attend as our representative for the new technology and give a speech."


    Eleanor was caught off guard. "Joel would be a great choice, too."


    "He''s traveling to see family and won''t be back until after the holidays."


    Eleanor didn''t protest. "Alright. I''ll get ready."


    "Do you have someone to watch Evelyn? If not, she''s wee at my ce," Simone offered gently. Evelyn had once called her "Grandma," and Simone had taken her to heart ever since.