Byron paused, ncing up at Faye with a note of concern in his voice. "Faye, are you sure you can handle this?"


    Faye straightened her back, determination in her eyes. "Absolutely, VP Chase. I won''t let you down."


    "Alright, then go get ready," Byron nodded, giving her the green light.


    As Faye stepped out of Byron''s office, she finally allowed herself a sigh of relief. The chance to give this presentation was finally hers-no one was going to snatch it away this time.


    She couldn''t afford to fail.


    After two sleepless nights spent hunched over herptop, Faye finallypleted the first draft of her speech. She polished and trimmed it, then sent the final version to Byron''s inbox, waiting anxiously for his approval.


    Meanwhile, Eleanor''stest project handoffs had gone off without a hitch, and Garrison''s team had pulled off a wless round of testing.


    Wednesday''s morning meeting was about to start.


    "Laird, let VP Chase know I''ll be skipping the morning meeting-I have a video call with Dr. Bradley," Eleanor said as she dialed the office inte.


    "Sure thing! I''ll let him know," Laird replied cheerfully.


    Just before the meeting began, Byron''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID and answered immediately, nervousness creeping into his tone. "Hello, Mr. Goodwin."


    "Why has the speaker list for the press conference changed? Where''s Eleanor?"n''s voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.


    Byron instantly remembered that Eleanor''s name hadn''t been on the final list he submittedst night. He hurried to exin, "Well, Eleanor has been overloaded with work, so we reassigned the presentation to Faye."


    "This is Meridian Dynamics'' first public reveal of our Al bio-division. The presentation is critical, and the speaker can''t be changed. I want Eleanor on stage,”n''s tone left no room for argument—a quiet authority that brooked no refusal.


    Sweat broke out on Byron''s brow. "But Mr. Goodwin, Faye has already finished her speech..."


    "She can be the backup," Ian interrupted coolly. "Eleanor is the lead researcher- no one knows the project like she does."


    With that,n hung up.


    Byron wiped his forehead, already dialing Eleanor''s extension. When she picked up, he said, “Eleanor, can youe to my office for a moment?”


    A short whileter, Eleanor walked in. Byron studied her for a moment before speaking inly. "Eleanor, it looks like you''re the only one who can give this presentation."


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. "VP Chase, I already handed it off to Faye, didn''t I?”


    "I know, and Faye''s ready, but-" Byron hesitated, then pressed on, "Mr. Goodwin just called. He specifically requested you. He said this presentation is vital for Meridian Dynamics'' debut in the bio sector-we can''t risk anything going wrong." "Faye''s more than capable," Eleanor replied, giving credit where it was due. Besides, she thought, Faye was practically family ton now; even if she made a few mistakes, with Vanessa in her corner,n would be forgiving.


    Byron grew anxious. "Eleanor, this really is Mr. Goodwin''s decision. You know how much is riding on thisunch. We can''t afford a single misstep."


    "I''m swamped. I don''t have time to prepare a speech. Sorry," Eleanor said bluntly, then turned and walked out.


    Byron stood there, sweat prickling his brow all over again. Why on earth was Eleanor refusing to take the stage?