Eleanor''s expression was ice-cold, her eyes shing with indifference. "I don''t need your permission to decide whether I stay or go."


    She scoffed. "That''s your business,n, not mine. Whether I ept or not is up to me."


    A flicker ofplicated emotion passed through his eyes as his brow furrowed. "Do you really hate me that much?"


    Hate? The thought almost made Eleanorugh. Hate him? She hardly had time for such extravagance. Her time was far too precious to waste even a minute on Ian Goodwin.


    Her silence prompted a quiet sigh from him. "So you''ve really decided to leave?"


    Eleanor lifted her chin, her gaze sharp and resolute. "I''m not asking for your approval,n. I''m informing you."


    "At least wait for the results of the new drug trial before you go," he pressed, softening his tone. "It''ll only be another three months."


    She exhaled slowly. Three months left in the trial-she had to admit, announcing her departure now was a little premature.


    "I''ll make sure to wrap things up properly and finish what I started," she replied coolly.


    "My mind''s made up," Eleanor said, unwavering. "I won''t change it."


    "I''ve already granted Professor Langley full Pl ess, with unlimited research funding. If you"


    Eleanor cut him off before he could finish. "None of that matters to me,n. My freedom is worth more than any offer you could make."


    He met her eyes, then finally let out a heavy sigh. "Fine. I won''t interfere with your choices anymore." After a pause, his tone softened. "But wherever you go in three months, I have just one request: don''t cut me and Evelyn off. She needs her father."


    With that,n headed for the door. His hand paused on the doorknob, and he nced back over his shoulder. "I hope that, in the future, we can be partners- not adversaries."


    Eleanor said nothing.


    He added quietly, "Believe it or not, Eleanor, I never meant you any harm."


    Then he opened the door and walked out.


    A cynical smirk yed on Eleanor''s lips. Now he says that? What''s the point?


    Just then, Nina was passing by with a mug of coffee. She nearly jumped when she sawn leaving Eleanor''s office, and hurried over to greet him. "Mr. Goodwin! I didn''t know you were here."


    He gave her a polite nod and continued down the hall.


    As soon asn was gone, something clicked for Nina. She quickly pulled out her phone and retreated to a quiet corner to call Faye.


    At that moment, Faye was packing up her things at Meridian Dynamics. She recognized Nina''s number and picked up immediately. "Hey, what''s up, Nina?"


    Nina''s face lit up-Faye was calling her by her first name now, which made her feel even more loyal. She would absolutely look out for Faye''s interests.


    "Faye, guess who just went into Eleanor''s office?" she said excitedly. "Professor Langley?" Faye guessed at random, knowing Nina would tell her anyway.


    "No, it was Mr. Goodwin! He was in there for ages. Do you think he''s trying to convince Eleanor to stay?" Nina replied, her voice full of intrigue.


    Faye''s grip tightened around her phone. Ifn was making a generous offer, Eleanor might actually reconsider. Maybe she was already thinking about staying.


    No. She had to get back, and fast. People needed to see that she not just Eleanor-was capable of taking over as lead investigator.


    "I hear you. I''m heading back right now," Faye said.


    "Great, Faye, I''ll be waiting for you," Nina replied, and hung up. Clearly, Faye was in just as much of a rush to get moving.