With Xavier''s arm steadying her waist, Eleanor barely managed to stand upright.


    She rubbed her temples, fighting off a wave of dizziness.


    When she finally looked up, her eyes metn''s intense, searching gaze.


    For a moment, the hallway seemed to freeze.


    Vanessa broke the silence first, her voice tinged with feigned surprise. "Eleanor, what''s going on here?"


    Her eyes flicked pointedly to Xavier''s hand still resting at Eleanor''s waist.


    Eleanor subtly stepped out of Xavier''s embrace, her tone calm. "It''s nothing-just a little low blood sugar."


    Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Xavier quickly added, "Miss Sutton just rushed over. She might have overexerted herself."


    Vanessa''s eyes widened in surprise-wasn actually showing concern for Eleanor?


    "I''m fine," Eleanor replied, avoiding his gaze. She turned to Xavier instead. "How is Mrs. Grayson?"


    A shadow crossed Xavier''s face, and he sighed. "The doctor said... it''ll probably be today."


    Eleanor nodded, forcing herself to pull it together. "Let''s go in and see her."


    Just as they were about to enter the room, Vanessa stepped forward. "Ian, aren''t we here to see Mrs. Grayson too? Let''s go in together!"


    Vanessa''s expression stiffened, and she seemed about to protest when Henry interjected, "Vanessa, let''s let Eleanor go in first."


    Inside the hospital room, Juliette was already half-unconscious. At the faint sound of footsteps, she opened her eyes just a little, and when she saw Eleanor, there was a brief light in her cloudy gaze.


    "Eleanor...” she whispered, her voice barely a breath.


    Eleanor hurried to her side, taking her frail hand. "I''m here, Mrs. Grayson."


    "Eleanor, there''s something I need to give you." Juliette gathered what little strength she had.


    Eleanor''s eyes filled with tears as she took in how much Juliette had wasted away in just a month. "Mrs. Grayson, I''m listening."


    "I''ve decided... to shut down myb. All the funds left will go to support your research. Xavier will handle the details after..." Juliette faltered, her voice trailing away.


    Eleanor stared at her in shock. "Mrs. Grayson, I can''t—”


    "This is for you alone, Eleanor. The funding is yours to use however you need.” Juliette squeezed her hand, patting it gently. “Please ept it.”


    Eleanor bit her lip, tears spilling over. Someone with no blood ties to her was leaving her such a generous legacy at the end of her life-Eleanor was overwhelmed.


    Seeing Eleanor in tears, Xavier''s chest tightened. He pulled a tissue from the box and handed it to her.


    Juliette said a few more words, her voice growing fainter. After a moment, she seemed to catch the sound of voices outside the door and asked, "Is someone else here?"


    "Ian and Henry just arrived."


    "How thoughtful of them. Please, let theme in," Juliette said softly.


    A few momentster,n, Vanessa, and Henry entered the room. Juliette managed a faint smile, her voice barely audible. "Thank you foring to say goodbye..."


    As she finished, her eyes lost focus, and a sudden, violent cough shook her frail body.