The staff brought out the prepared contract, and everyone signed the strategic cooperation agreement right there at the table.


    As Eleanor skimmed through a stack of documents, she suddenly sensed someone''s gaze on her-a curious, lingering look from across the table. She nced up and realized it was Dr. Garrison Bradley, the military physician who''d been peppering her with questions earlier. Caught in the act, Garrison offered a sheepish smile, scribbled something hastily on a notepad, and slid it across to her.


    Eleanor blinked in surprise, taking the notebook. On the open page was a quick note: "I''m good friends with Mansfield. He told me to say hello."


    She looked up, genuinely surprised, and Garrison grinned, giving her a small nod.


    From the other side, Faye watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. She hadn''t expected Eleanor to be so casual-flirting with a man she''d only just met, and in front of everyone, no less.


    Of course,n noticed too. As Eleanor handed the notebook back to Garrison and gave him a polite smile, the clock struck noon-lunchtime.


    "Let''s head next door for lunch together," Mr. ck suggested, leading the way. "We''ll dive into the details this afternoon."


    He left the conference room withn at his side, deep in conversation, while Byron started chatting with the visiting engineers.


    Eleanor and Faye fell in step behind Joel. Faye, never missing a chance, leaned in with a smirk. "Eleanor, why didn''t you clear up the confusion about your degree just now? Or do you prefer everyone calling you Dr. Sutton-does it sound fancier?"


    Joel overheard and shot Faye a warning look. "Faye, academic credentials aren''t everything. Eleanor''s research speaks louder than any diploma."


    Faye''s cheeks flushed a deeper red. Joel always took Eleanor''s side, it seemed, refusing to let anyone so much as ruffle her feathers.


    "Sure, some people are impressive," Faye muttered, "especially when ites to attracting men."


    "Dr. Bradley''s just a friend of a friend," Eleanor replied calmly. "He was just saying hello."


    Faye blinked, thrown off. Since when did Eleanor have friends in the military? She couldn''t help recalling the dashing officer she''d seen with Eleanor once, and her irritation only deepened.


    The group arrived at the restaurant, where two tables had been set for their party.


    Garrison made his way over to Eleanor. "Miss Sutton, a pleasure. Mansfield talks about you all the time."


    Eleanor felt her cheeks flush. "Really? Are you and Mr. Ellington close?"


    "We served together and studied together. The military''s very interested in your nanobot technology. Personally, I find your work fascinating."


    Just then, Faye drifted over, catching Garrison''s attention. "You must be Dr. Yeaton," he said with a friendly smile.


    Faye replied, "I''m still finishing my doctorate, actually-haven''t graduated yet."


    She shot Eleanor a pointed look, as if to say, "See, at least I''m honest," unlike someone else.


    Garrison chuckled. "Joining such a major project at your age is impressive."


    Suddenly, Faye turned to Eleanor, her tone sharp. "Eleanor, didn''t Professor Langley reject your joint master''s and PhD application? Or am I remembering wrong?"


    Eleanor faced her challengingly, a slight smile on her lips. "That''s right."


    "So, you''re actually still an undergrad?" Faye said, feigning innocence.


    Garrison nced at Faye, then turned to Eleanor, visibly impressed. "You''re still an undergrad and you''ve aplished all this? That''s extraordinary."


    Faye''s expression froze.


    Garrison''s words practically crowned Eleanor a prodigy.


    Eleanor smiled. "Yes, I was on leave for six years and only went back to universityst year."


    Garrison nodded. "I''ve always believed research should be judged by results, not degrees." He added, "I''ve read your papers in international journals-they''re visionary, and I know you hold several patents. That''s real achievement."


    Faye''s face was now a mask of barely concealed frustration.


    She''d hoped to make Garrison dismiss Eleanor, but all she''d done was give him


    reason to admire her more. The n hadpletely backfired.


    "Miss Sutton, would you mind if I ask you some technical questions this afternoon?" Garrison said.


    "Of course," Eleanor replied.


    At the head table,n sipped his coffee, ncing over at the group.


    Sensing the mood, Faye retreated to her seat. Garrison leaned in and teased,


    "Looks like Mansfield has good taste-he picked a scientist with both brains and beauty."


    Eleanor blushed, pressing her slender fingers to her lips in a rare moment of shyness.


    Across the room,n watched the scene unfold, surprised to see just how much attention Eleanor drew from the men around her.


    Garrison was just over thirty, his military background lending him a confident,manding presence. With his sharp features and doctorate in military medicine, he was undeniably attractive.


    Even Joel found himself ncing over, curious about what Eleanor and Garrison were discussing so intently.


    Faye seethed in silence. Whenever Eleanor was present, her own shine seemed to fade into the background-a feeling she hated.


    After lunch, Eleanor and her team checked into the university guest residence.


    Not long after, someone knocked at her door. When she opened it, she foundn standing in the hallway.


    "What do you want?" Eleanor asked coolly.


    "I saw you and Dr. Bradley getting along pretty well. Did you know each other before?"n''s eyes narrowed.


    Eleanor folded her arms and gave a shortugh. "And what business is it of yours?"


    He held her gaze. "Just asking."


    "In the future, my private life is none of your concern. You have neither the right


    nor the privilege to ask." With that, she shut the door in his face.