The group of women wrapped up their conversation with a unanimous conclusion: “Eleanor really is something else."


    Once they''d all left, Faye stood alone in the restroom, her face ashen as she gripped the edge of the sink. She bit her lip, unable to stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. She had never been mocked like this before; the sting of humiliation was almost unbearable.


    By two in the afternoon, the conference room was filled with department heads.n sat at the head of the table, his expression cold and impassive as he listened to the reports.


    Faye wasn''t present at this meeting. Eleanor sat at the back of the room, quietly taking her ce.


    Byron opened the meeting by reviewing the details of the recent productunch, making a point to praise Eleanor''s performance several times. Each time,n''s gaze lingered on her.


    Eleanor absentmindedly scribbled notes in the margins of her meeting packet, her mind wandering-she was thinking about her uing handoff with Garrison rather than the meeting itself.n lounged in his chair, looking unusually rxed and disinterested.


    "Eleanor, would you give us a quick summary of your presentation today?" Byron called on her suddenly.


    Eleanor had never been fond of these routine meetings, and her mind had drifted elsewhere. She didn''t register Byron''s question at first. The department heads turned to look at her, waiting expectantly.


    Still lost in her notes, Eleanor didn''t respond. Byron coughed and raised his voice, "Eleanor?"


    This time, she heard him. ncing up, she realized everyone in the room was staring at her. She froze, caught off guard for a moment.


    Byron quickly tried to smooth over the awkwardness. "Never mind, Eleanor''s probably exhausted today. No need for a summary."


    Just then, Laird, the assistant, stepped in. "VP Chase, Dr. Bradley needs to start a video call about an urgent matter."


    Byron checked his watch. "Alright, let''s wrap things up here. Eleanor, Decker, and a few others, please stay. The rest of you are dismissed." He turned ton. "Mr. Goodwin, would you like to stay for the next part of the meeting?"


    Ten minutester, the video call with Garrison was underway.


    After the initial greetings and a brief discussion about recent experiments, Garrison got to the point. “Miss Sutton, our team would really appreciate it if you coulde to the base in person for a week. Would you have time for that?"


    The room fell silent for a few seconds. Byron looked over at Eleanor-he genuinely hoped she would ept. Remote guidance only went so far, and with the deadline looming, they needed all the help they could get.


    Garrison pressed on, sensing her hesitation. “I realize it''s a lot to ask. I''ve already cleared it with my superiors-they''re on board. We''d really like you here with us for the final phase of the experiment."


    Eleanor considered it, then asked, "Would I be able to bring my child along?"


    Garrison chuckled warmly. "Of course, that''s not a problem at all! While you''re working, maybe Mansfield can babysit—"


    He caught himself and quickly backtracked, embarrassed. "Sorry, just kidding! What I meant was, we have plenty of women on the team who''d be happy to help watch your child if needed. It''s no trouble at all."