A littleter, Vanessa posted a photo of the bracelet in her social circle.


    "Thank you for the thoughtful gift-I absolutely love it! ?"


    She didn''t mention any names, but everyone in her circle immediately caught on and started yfully teasing her in thements.


    "Wow! Amethyst, huh? Someone''s making a seriousmitment!"


    -"Congrats, Vanessa! Looks like something big is on the horizon!"


    "Your family is always so generous. That bracelet must be worth at least a million!"


    Vanessa scrolled through the flood of well-wishes, a smile tugging at her lips. Lately, Eleanor had been making things difficult, and it had been a long time since she''d felt this genuinely happy.


    That night, after Eleanor finally coaxed her daughter to sleep, she headed to her study to work on some files. Her phone buzzed with a new message.


    She nced down-Joy Thatcher had sent her a text. "Ellie, did you see Vanessa''s story? She just posted a bracelet worth seven figures."


    A screenshot was attached.


    Eleanor stared at the familiar amethyst bracelet in the photo, momentarily stunned.


    Wasn''t this the very gift Magdalen had mentioned preparing for her earlier this evening?


    How did it end up with Vanessa?


    After a moment''s thought, the answer became clear. Even if Magdalen hadn''t promised it to Vanessa,n could have given it to her. The bracelet''s color suited a younger woman, after all.


    Either way, it had nothing to do with her.


    On Sunday afternoon, Jude Vaughn called, reminding her to dress up for the next day. The newb''s opening ceremony was tomorrow, and she had a seat reserved for the ribbon cutting-government officials would be attending as well. "Got it, Jude."


    "You''re our star scientist, Eleanor. Theb needs its best face forward," Jude teased.


    Eleanor couldn''t help butugh. "You''re exaggerating."


    "Not at all. Everyone says so."


    They chatted about someb details, and as they wrapped up, Jude added, "Oh, by the way, Mr. Goodwin will be there tomorrow too."


    Eleanor had already guessedn woulde. With government representatives present and as theb''srgest investor, he''d have to be there to host.


    The next morning, after dropping off her daughter, Eleanor headed straight for the new research center.


    The building stood on a sprawling campus in a designated industrial park— imposing and modern, its architecture radiated high-tech sophistication.


    Eleanor arrived at the ribbon-cutting in a tailored suit, her hair swept up to reveal her graceful neckline and lending her a poised, intellectual elegance.


    "Miss Sutton, right this way." An usher led her to a front-row seat.


    Jude Vaughn came by to chat, and Eleanor noticed quite a few members of the press in attendance.


    She was about to respond when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a familiar figuren, walking in with two middle-aged men. Dressed in a charcoal suit, he stood out among the government officials.


    Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before Eleanor looked away.


    Jude introduced the two men as representatives from the other major pharmaceutical firms backing theb.


    The ceremony began promptly at ten.


    "Eleanor,e on! It''s almost time," Jude called.


    Eleanor stood and made her way to the long ceremonial ribbon. Ian was at the center, nked by the pharma and government reps, with Eleanor three spots away from him.


    As the photographers focused their cameras, and the sound of celebratory fireworks filled the air, everyone cut the ribbon in unison.


    Jude took the stage for a speech, expertly introducing theb and drawing rounds of apuse.


    "And now, a few words from Mr. Ian Goodwin, CEO of Goodwin & Co."


    He kept his remarks brief and to the point. Jude then led the group inside for a tour of the newb.


    After a walk-through, everyone gathered in the lobby. Jude arranged lunch for the key people, but Eleanor excused herself—she needed to get to the Ashford Medical Universityb.


    In the parking lot, she spottedn heading her way.


    She had just climbed into her car when he approached. "Are you free this afternoon?"


    Eleanor frowned. "No."


    "It''s business,"n replied.


    "What''s up?"


    "You haven''t updated me on your research progress for two weeks now," he said. "I''ll be at yourb at two."


    With that, he turned and got into his car, pulling away first.


    At theb, Eleanor managed to grab lunch in the cafeteria with Simone Langley. As they ate, Simone offered some fresh ideas for the research and eventually brought up Eleanor''s father.


    She described him as a manpletely devoted to his work.


    Eleanor felt a pang of nostalgia, recalling the strict way her father had raised her, the high expectations he''d had, always hoping she''d follow in his footsteps. He must have been so disappointed when she chose marriage over her career.


    If he could see her now, would he finally be proud of what she''d achieved?


    "Tomorrow''s Memorial Day," Simone reminded her gently. "Don''t forget to visit your parents'' grave."


    Eleanor nodded. "Yeah, I know."


    When she returned to theb, her assistant, Darcy, hurried over. "Ian''s here. He''s in the conference room, looking over your files."


    Eleanor bit her lip, then pushed open the door. Ian was seated at the table, his long fingers flipping through hertest research report, brow slightly furrowed.


    She set her own folder down, her tone calm.


    Eleanor barely acknowledged thement. "If you have any questions, just ask."


    He closed the file and smiled. "Aren''t you supposed to brief me? You know I can''t follow all the technical stuff."


    If that were true, he wouldn''t be poring over her data so intently.


    Eleanor knew better than anyone how quickly this man learned. She turned on the projector. "Let''s get started."


    Her presentation was concise and thorough, the numbers clear. But as she exined a crucial parameter,n interrupted, "This figure''s down fromst month. Why?"