After leaving the hotel, Xavier headed down to the underground parking garage to get his car, while Eleanor''s was parked outside in the open lot.


    "Eleanor, do you have time to grab dinner sometime?" Xavier asked, a note of reluctance in his voice.


    "I''m a bit swamped these days," Eleanor replied honestly-she really did have a mountain of work waiting for her.


    A flicker of concern crossed Xavier''s eyes. Though he was no longer leading the Juliette Grayson Lab, he still kept a close eye on developments in the research world. He knew Eleanor was working at Meridian Dynamics now, and thepany was notorious in the industry for its relentless pace.


    "I understand. Let''s wait until your workload eases up, then," Xavier said, trying to


    sound upbeat.


    Eleanor nodded. "Alright. I should get going."


    Xavier watched her walk away, her figure disappearing into the re of the afternoon sun. Only after a long moment did he turn and head back into the hotel lobby, making his way toward the elevators.


    At the Meridian Dynamics office, Eleanor was buried in paperwork when Laird came in with a stack of folders. "Eleanor, VP Chase would like to see you."


    She nodded and made her way to Byron Chase''s office. Byron greeted her with a warm smile. "Eleanor,e on in. Have a seat."


    She took the chair across from him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Is there something you need, VP Chase?"


    Byron leaned forward, his tone inviting. "The annual Meridian Dynamics conference ising up, and this year we want you to give a talk on advances in Al biology."


    Eleanor frowned slightly. "Wouldn''t Joel be a better fit for that?"


    Byron nodded. "I know, but Joel rmended you. His mother is very ill, and he needs to go abroad to take care of his family."


    Eleanor''s heart skipped a beat. Joel''s family-was it that serious?


    Byron continued, "So, since Joel suggested you, we''re really hoping you''ll agree


    to speak at the conference. I know you''ll do great, Eleanor."


    She bit her lip, then nodded. "Alright. I''ll start preparing."


    Back at her desk, Eleanor immediately dialed Joel''s number.


    "Hello?"


    "Joel, how''s your mother doing?"


    Joel''s sigh was heavy on the other end. "It''ste-stage liver cancer. The doctors say... maybe a month, at best. Ellie, I''ll have to rely on you to keep things going at theb."


    Eleanor felt a cold shock run through her. "Oh, Joel... I''m so sorry."


    "I''m nning to take her to the cancer center for treatment. I want to be with her for whatever time she has left."


    "Of course. Take care of her, Joel-I''ll handle things here." Eleanor gripped the phone tighter. "If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know."


    "I was supposed to do the conference presentation, but I rmended you. I know you''ll do a better job than I could right now," Joel said quietly.


    "I''ll take care of everything at work. Focus on your family," Eleanor promised, her heart heavy and aching for her friend.


    After hanging up, Eleanor began outlining her talk. Meridian Dynamics was a leader in the field, and the conference would draw experts from around the world. There was no room for error.


    As the workday wound down, Eleanor was packing up when her office door swung open. Faye stormed in, her face flushed with anger.


    "Eleanor, why are you taking Joel''s spot at the conference? Do you have to grab every opportunity for yourself? Even if Joel can''t make it, it shouldn''t be you up there."