"I''m thinking about it," Eleanor Sutton replied.


    He stared at her for a few seconds, then turned away and addressed Professor Langley and Dr. Lyman. "I''ll arrange the follow-up funding, but I want weekly progress reports from now on."


    "Understood, that''s fine," Simone Langley nodded.


    As the door clicked shut, Callie let out a long breath. "Honestly, with the way Mr. Goodwin looked at us just now, I almost thought he was pulling the plug..."


    Eleanor lowered her gaze, lost in her own thoughts.


    She understood perfectly well: Ian hadn''t withdrawn his investment because Vanessa Shannon''s illness depended on this project. As for whether he actually trusted her, Eleanor couldn''t tell.


    "Eleanor," Simone said, "personal differences aside, don''t letn down this time."


    Eleanor nodded, but couldn''t help defending herself. "There''s nothing personal between us."


    Dr. Lyman spoke up, "If you need any support, just let me know."


    "Thank you, Dr. Lyman."


    Not long after, news of Eleanor''s failed experiment reached Faye Yeaton. She finally let herself rx-Eleanor''s setback meant her abilities were in question


    now.


    "But Mr. Goodwin didn''t pull her project," someonemented in the group chat. "He actually increased the funding."


    "Is it because she''s his ex-wife? Maybe he''s just supporting her research out of loyalty?"


    "I heard Eleanor asked for double the investment..."


    "Anyone else would have had their project shut down by now..."


    "But she is the ex-wife, after all..."


    Faye sneered. Others might not know how miserable Eleanor really was, but she did. Ifn truly saw Eleanor as just his ex-wife, he would have pushed her out of a core project at Meridian Dynamics long ago-instead, he''d put her in charge of one of the toughest experimental teams.


    That way, Eleanor wouldn''t have a chance to disrupt their peace.


    That evening, on the eve of the new year, Eleanor returned home from theb to find Joslyn had already prepared a hearty dinner. Evelyn Goodwin was on her best behavior, and Eleanor scooped her daughter up in a hug.


    At half past eight, Eleanor''s phone rang. Gina Quinn was calling to ask about picking up Evelyn for lunch at the Goodwin family''s house the following day.


    Eleanor agreed; her daughter had been talking about visiting the family for days. The next morning,n arrived to pick up Evelyn. It was raining, the temperature dropping steadily. He lifted their daughter into his car, then turned to Eleanor. "Would you like toe over for lunch?"


    "No, thanks," Eleanor replied coolly.


    "Grandma''s been asking about you."


    "I''ll visit her when I have time," Eleanor answered, her tone polite but distant-she didn''t need him to invite her.


    By midday, Eleanor was back in theb.


    That was when her phone rang. She nced at the caller ID-Xavier Vaughn. Surprised, she answered, "Hello?"


    "Have you had lunch?"


    Eleanor checked the clock. It was already half past one. She let out a wryugh, "Not yet."


    "I figured. I had something packed up for you-I''m bringing it upstairs now."


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. Xavier was bringing her lunch?


    As she stepped out of the office, she caught Valery-ab tech who''d transferred from Juliette Grayson''s team-grinning knowingly. Just a week ago, Xavier had personally added Valery to their group, all to get a sense of how Eleanor was managing theb.