"I''ve already informed Professor Langley of my decision. There''s nothing left for us to discuss." With that, Eleanor took her coffee and headed toward her office.


    "I''lle by in half an hour," Ian said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    Before Eleanor could reply, he hung up, the dial tone buzzing in her ear.


    Annoyance tightened in her chest. Ian''s tone still made it sound as if she were the dependent Mrs. Goodwin she used to be, always following his lead.


    She didn''t care whether he came or not. Once this new drug trial wrapped up, she''d be gone, just like she''d nned.


    Meanwhile, down the hall, a young researcher named Nina knocked on Simone''s door. "Professor Langley, do you have a minute? I''d like to talk."


    Simone nodded. "Of course. What''s on your mind?"


    "I happened to overhear your callst time you mentioned setting up an independent PI position for Eleanor. I was wondering if I could join herb. My thesis was focused on this area, and I''m sure I could-"


    Simone paused, surprised, and looked at her. "Let''s talk about thister, all right?"


    "Why? Aren''t you nning to establish the new PI for her next month?"


    Simone sighed. "That was the n. But Eleanor''s getting ready to leave. She''s moving on."


    "What? She''s leaving, even with all these resources?" Nina was stunned. She''d been hoping to join Eleanor''s team.


    "We''re still trying to persuade her to stay," Simone said with another sigh.


    After leaving Simone''s office, Nina bit her lip, troubled. If Eleanor left, who would take over this project? Only one name came to mind-Faye. Aside from Eleanor and Joel Kingsley, Faye was the only one with the right experience, and she got along with her, too.


    Nina picked up her phone and texted Faye: "Faye, do you have a minute to talk?"


    Faye''s project at Meridian Dynamics was nearly finished, so she had some time. "Sure, what''s up?"


    Nina called her, quickly exining Simone''s n for a new independent PI position. When she finished, Faye''s interest was piqued. "Have they chosen someone yet?"


    "The original candidate was Eleanor, but I heard she''s leaving theb. I actually think you''d be the perfect fit."


    "What did you say?" Faye blurted, startled.


    "I said you''re the ideal person for the independent PI role."


    "No, I mean-did you say Eleanor''s leaving theb?" Faye pressed.


    "Yes, that''s what Professor Langley said. She''s still trying to convince her to stay," Nina replied.


    "Nina, if I get the independent PI position, you''ll be the first person I bring onto my team," Faye said warmly.


    "Really? Thank you, Faye!" Nina was ted, hoping Faye would get the chance.


    Back in her office at Meridian Dynamics, Faye set her phone down and clutched the front of her blouse, hardly able to contain her excitement. Eleanor was leaving theb? That was the best news she''d heard in a long time.


    Once Eleanor left, she''d be like a lone bird out in the world-talented, yes, but without a tform, her chances of sess would shrink dramatically.


    Sure, anotherb would take her in. But who else would be as generous with resources asn? In a field built on rivalry and ambition, Eleanor was destined to be someone else''s stepping stone.