After tidying up, Faye bit her red lips, murmuring, "Eleanor, just once in this life-l have to beat you."


    Eleanor wasn''t irreceable in theb.


    There was still her.


    Later that day, Simone heard from her assistant, Andie, thatn had stopped by. She could guess he''de to talk to Eleanor, probably to persuade her to stay. Simone genuinely hoped Eleanor would remain. Setting aside any personal grievances, this ce was the best possible base for research, and the supportn could offer Eleanor was second to none, even by the highest national standards.


    This time, the independent PI funding had no cap. If Eleanor wanted it, Ian would move mountains for her.


    If Eleanor really left, it would be a terrible loss.


    At two thirty in the afternoon, Faye returned to her office at the research center. A sh of determination crossed her face as she straightened her shoulders and knocked on Simone''s door.


    "Come in."


    "Professor Langley, I''m back." Faye pushed open the door. Simone had always been her mentor, and Faye was undoubtedly her star student.


    Simone looked up in surprise. "Faye, you''re back already? The Meridian Dynamics project is finished?"


    "Yes, we''re nearly at the end. Joel is taking over for the final phase." Faye set a folder down on the desk. "This is my research report from Meridian Dynamics, Professor Langley. Please have a look when you have time."


    Simone reached for it immediately, flipping through the pages and nodding in approval. "Excellent work."


    A thrill of satisfaction ran through Faye. Clearly, she still held weight in Professor Langley''s eyes.


    She tried to sound casual as she asked, "Professor Langley, I ran into Nina downstairs. She said Eleanor''s leaving theb. Is that true?"


    Simone''s gaze sharpened, a flicker of thought passing through her eyes. "So that''s why you came back so quickly."


    Faye realized there was no use hiding it. She admitted directly, "Professor Langley, if Eleanor really leaves, someone will have to take over the independent Pl project. I hope I can have that chance."


    "Ambition is good, Faye, but don''t get ahead of yourself." Simone''s tone grew stern. Seeing Faye''s awkward expression, she continued, "This independent PI was created for Eleanor. If she leaves, the project will be cancelled."


    Shock flickered in Faye''s eyes. "What? They''ll just scrap it if she goes?" The words slipped out before she could stop them. "Professor Langley, that''s not fair. Theb doesn''t revolve around Eleanor alone. Why not give someone else a shot?"


    Simone took off her sses and massaged her brow. "Science isn''t about fair or unfair, Faye. This project was designed byn specifically for Eleanor-down to the research direction and resource allocation. It''s tailored to her expertise, not—"


    "But—" Faye blurted out, cutting Simone off. "I''m perfectly qualified! I have experience in genomic sequencing too."


    "Faye." This time, it was Simone who interrupted, her tone grave. "You are talented, butn is looking for groundbreaking results."


    Even if Simone didn''t finish the thought, Faye understood. Only Eleanor could deliver that.


    Her nails dug into her palm as she struggled to mask her frustration. "So if Eleanor leaves, the whole project just disappears? Professor Langley, can you really watch theb lose such an incredible research opportunity?"


    Simone sighed deeply. "That''s exactly why I''ve been trying so hard to persuade Eleanor to stay."