Faye clenched her fists, her voice tight with frustration. "Now that Mr. Goodwin has spoken, why are you still pretending to be so magnanimous?"


    Eleanor shot her a cool nce, then picked up her phone and dialedn''s number, switching straight to speakerphone.


    The call connected almost immediately. Ian''s deep, unmistakable voice came through. "What''s up?"


    Faye held her breath, as if terrifiedn might realize she was there.


    Eleanor stared at the phone. "Listen,n. Even if you begged me, I wouldn''t do the keynote this time."


    Faye''s eyes widened in disbelief. Was Eleanor really talking ton like that? Where did she get the nerve?


    There was a pause on the other end. "Don''t be impulsive. You''re presenting. That''s thepany''s decision."


    "Then fire me, or cancel the Al BioTechunch," Eleanor replied, and hung up before he could answer.


    Faye was still processing what had just happened when Eleanor looked up at her. "Any more questions?"


    Faye opened her mouth but couldn''t find the words. After a moment, she turned and left.


    A littleter, Byron called her over to discuss the keynote presentation.


    That''s how Faye secured her shot at delivering the speech.


    But even so, she couldn''t shake the feeling that she was simply picking up what Eleanor had discarded without a second thought.


    After that call, Eleanor wasn''t contacted by thepany again about doing the keynote—not that she had the time to care.


    She spent the weekend with her daughter. Aside from work, most of her free hours were devoted to her little girl and resting at home.


    Monday arrived in a blink. Today was the big day: Meridian Dynamics'' Annual Conference.


    The main hall was already buzzing early in the morning. An hour before the event, every seat was taken.


    Foreign faces dotted the crowd-the world''s leading scientists and media had all gathered for this.


    Faye arrived at eight, pacing backstage as she silently rehearsed her speech. She ducked into the restroom, nerves jangling. Passing through the main hall, she stared nkly for a few seconds at the sea of academics and industry giants.


    By the time she snapped back to reality, sweat was beading on her forehead and palms. She breathed deeply, trying to steady herself.


    Just then her phone chimed. A message from Vanessa: "I''m on my way! How''s your prep going? I can''t wait to see you shine!"


    Swallowing hard, Faye hurried back to the backstage lounge. As she reached for her speech notes, she noticed her hands trembling so badly the pages fluttered. Biting her lip, she tried to steady herself.


    Byron came over to check on her. She quickly twisted her hands together, doing her best to appear calm.


    "Faye, rx. Just treat it like any other project update," he said, handing her a bottle of water.


    Faye epted it and managed a nod. "Thank you, VP Chase. I''ll do my best."


    Byron could tell she was on edge, but there was nothing more he could say. With a reassuring nod, he left.


    As soon as he was gone, Faye pressed a hand to her chest and let out a shaky breath, then went right back to reviewing her notes.


    Eleanor arrived at the venue, scanning for an open seat just as Xavier approached.


    "Ms. Brooks, you made it too?" Eleanor blinked in surprise.


    "Wouldn''t miss a conference like this for the world!" he grinned. "Looking for a seat? Let''s sit together." He led her to the third row.


    "I honestly thought you''d be the one giving the keynote," Xavier said, settling in.


    Eleanor twisted open a water bottle and took a sip. "I figured it was someone else''s turn this time."


    He chuckled. "Still, I was hoping to see you up there."


    Eleanor was content to be just another face in the audience today. Since Faye


    had fought so hard for this chance, Eleanor was curious to see what she''d do with


    it.


    Just then, Eleanor spotted Vanessaing in with Serena Goodwin by the entrance. Serena, heiress of Goodwin & Co., always had a front-row seat at anypany event.


    Serena noticed Xavier—and then Eleanor. Irritation shed in her eyes. Why did Eleanor seem to turn up wherever Xavier was?


    Vanessa saw Eleanor too, but for once, she was d Eleanor wasn''t the one stealing the spotlight. This was Faye''s moment to shine. If she delivered, she''d finally getn''s recognition, and maybe a shot at bigger opportunities down the road.


    "I''m going to check on my sister," Vanessa told Serena, and asked a staffer to take her backstage.


    Henry and Xavier exchanged a wave across the room before finding seats. Serena, torn between wanting to sit near Xavier and not wanting to be near Eleanor, settled for a spot in the second row.


    Backstage, Vanessa found Faye and looked her over appraisingly. "Not bad- today you''ve really got that ''science superstar'' aura going."