Eleanor paused for a moment before replying, "Alright, I''ll be there on time."


    She didn''t wait forn to say anything else—she hung up first.


    As much as she loathed working withn, this was about her research. Personal grudges had to take a back seat; strengthening herself mattered more now.


    Partnering with the military would open up new possibilities for her future projects. All she could do was contribute her own small spark to the world of science, even if it felt like a dim firefly''s glow.


    A littleter, Joel Kingsley texted-he''d be apanying her tomorrow, along with Faye Yeaton. All the lead researchers from Meridian Dynamics would be present this time.


    The next morning, as Eleanor was packing, she heard her daughter''s cheerful voice drifting up from downstairs. “Grandma, you''re here!"


    Eleanor froze, then hurried down to find Joslyn Gina in the living room. Joslyn looked up and said, "I heard you''re heading to Kingston for work, so I came to take Evelyn to my ce."


    Eleanor wasn''t surprised; she''d half-expectedn to make such arrangements. Still, Joslyn wasn''t Evelyn''s mother. She could keep the girlpany during the day, but not overnight.


    Seeing Eleanor hesitate, Gina softened her tone. "Eleanor, caring for Evelyn is my responsibility, too. Go focus on your work-I''ll look after her."


    There was a time when Gina thought Eleanor was aimless, dependent on her son for everything. Now she realized that if Eleanor hadn''t married into their family and given up her own ambitions, she might have been remarkable in her own right. In hindsight, it seemed marriage had only held her back.


    "Mom, bring me back a present when you''re home, okay?" Evelyn called out.


    Eleanor smiled at her daughter. "Of course. But you have to be good while I''m away."


    "I will! I love Grandma''s house," Evelyn replied-after all, everyone there doted on her.


    Once Gina had taken Evelyn, Joel arrived to pick Eleanor up for the airport.


    In the front seat, Faye looked less than pleased. When she''d received the emailst night about the business trip to Kingston, she''d been thrilled—it meant her skills were finally being recognized. Then she heard Eleanor would be going as well, and her enthusiasm vanished. It felt like, once again, she''d be cast as Eleanor''s sidekick.


    Joel loaded Eleanor''s suitcase into the trunk and asked, "Evelyn all set?"


    "Yeah, she''s with her grandmother now," Eleanor replied.


    Joel nodded. "This project is important for Meridian Dynamics, but it''s also your chance to prove the value of your research. Make the most of it."


    Eleanor gave him a small smile and slid into the back seat.


    Joel drove them straight to the airport. Once parked, he grabbed Eleanor''s suitcase. Faye, meanwhile, had to haul her own.


    "Joel, I can carry it myself," Eleanor said with augh. She''d only packed a small bag-it wasn''t heavy.


    "It''s fine," Joel replied. "I heard you''ve been swamped in thebtely. Take it easy for a change."


    Behind them, Faye clenched her jaw. Did Joel only ever notice when Eleanor was tired? She was exhausted too!


    After clearing security, they boarded quickly.


    Two hourster, the three arrived in Kingston. A military car was already waiting for them.


    Faye felt her nerves tighten. It was her first time receiving this kind of treatment. When she nced at Eleanor, she found her calm and unfazed. Faye forced herself to take a slow breath and tamped down her anxiety.


    The car brought them onto the campus of the Military Medical University, stopping outside the research building. As they stepped out, Byron''s assistant approached them. "Please get ready-the meeting will start soon. There''s no time to check in yet; we''ll handle thatter."


    Eleanor and Faye followed Joel to the administrative conference room. Inside,n was chatting with several military officials. He nced their way, checked his watch, and said, "Mr. ck, our lead researchers are here; we can begin."


    Once seated, Byron handed Eleanor a folder. Inside was the military''s focus for this project: her proposal for nanorobotic therapy.


    Around the table, a dozen or so military officers and medical experts were waiting, their attention fixed on the Meridian Dynamics team.


    At that moment, a middle-aged man across the table stood up to greet her. "Dr. Sutton, it''s an honor to finally meet you! I''ve studied your paper on Al cellr simtion-brilliant work."


    Taken aback, Eleanor smiled modestly. "Thank you."


    From the corner of her eye, Faye gave a barely concealed smirk.


    If only he knew Eleanor didn''t even have a master''s degree-calling her ''Doctor'' was a joke. And Eleanor had the nerve to ept it? Clearly, she''d been passing herself off as a PhD outside. Shameless.


    Eleanor said nothing. This wasn''t the time or ce for exnations. Besides, her degree was no longer the point-her published work spoke for itself.


    A physician from the base introduced everyone around the table, then Byron introduced the Meridian Dynamics team. The atmosphere was warm and enthusiastic on both sides.


    "Ms. Sutton, could you exin the clinical application n for this technology in detail?" one doctor asked earnestly.


    Eleanor nodded, responding with rity and precision. She referenced the current progress at Meridian Dynamics-even though she''d left the project three months ago, Joel had brought her up to speed with all thetest data on the way here.


    For the next three hours, the Meridian Dynamics team led the meeting. Their performance impressed the military hospital representatives, who listened intently, nodding along.


    Mr. ck turned ton. "Mr. Goodwin, your team is outstanding. We hope to establish a long-term coboration with yourpany and form a dedicated military medical research group to jointly lead this project.”<pn grinned broadly. "Thank you for your trust in Meridian Dynamics. We''re honored to work with you."