Just then, there was a knock at the door. Simone called out, "Come in," and Eleanor entered, arms full of files.


    Faye''s gaze snapped to her, jealousy flickering in her eyes.


    Catching sight of Faye, Eleanor paused for a heartbeat before saying, “Professor Langley, I cane backter."


    "Eleanor, please stay," Simone replied, then turned to Faye. "Faye, I''ll need you to step out for now."


    A heaviness settled in Faye''s chest. Simone''s words made it perfectly clear who she valued more.


    "Yes, Professor Langley." Faye managed a respectful expression as she turned, brushing past Eleanor, who stood calmly in the doorway, seemingly impervious to Faye''s resentment.


    Eleanor could easily guess why Faye had rushed back to theb-she wanted to snatch the lead researcher role for herself. Given her connection withn, she was probably the frontrunner for the position.


    Simone looked at Eleanor. "Ian was just here, wasn''t he? Tried to talk you into staying?"


    Eleanor answered with unwavering resolve. "Professor Langley, my mind''s made up."


    The implication was clear: nothingn or anyone else said would change her decision.


    "Alright, I can''t force you," Simone conceded. "There''s still three months left of the clinical trials. Take your time to think it over."


    Eleanor ced the report on Simone''s desk and nodded. "I''ll see the final phase through."


    After Eleanor left, Simone''s phone rang. Seeingn''s name sh on the screen, she picked up. "Hello,n."


    "Professor Langley,"n''s voice was steady, "I''ve spoken with Eleanor, and I have a proposal."


    "Oh? What have you got in mind?" Simone asked, curiosity piqued.


    "I''d like to keep her on as lead investigator. She wouldn''t be required in theb full-time-she''d have full autonomy over her research direction and team. Her funding and resources would remain unchanged." He paused. "This way, she gets her freedom, but still has theb''s support."


    Simone was stunned. Son wasn''t ready to let Eleanor go after all.


    "That''s... actually a good idea. I''ll talk it over with her."


    "Thank you, Professor. Let''s stay in touch." Ian hung up.


    Simone set the phone down, a knowing look crossing her face. As expected,n wasn''t about to let Eleanor walk away.


    No sooner had Eleanor returned to her office than Faye appeared at the door.


    "Eleanor, since you''ve already said you''re leaving, I hope you actually follow through," Faye said, her tone edged with sarcasm. "Don''t tell me a few kind words from Mr. Goodwin or Professor Langley will make you change your mind." She added with a pointed look, "A person should have a little backbone, don''t you think?"


    Eleanor understood perfectly well what Faye was getting at. She met Faye''s gaze. "Don''t worry. I''m not nning to overstay my wee."


    Faye gave a cold, dismissiveugh. "Good. And don''t think you can y hard to get with Mr. Goodwin-he''s not going to fall for it."


    Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Are you done?"


    "I just can''t stand your holier-than-thou act," Faye shot back. "You act all independent, but you can''t live without Mr. Goodwin''s resources. Don''te crawling back when things get tough out there."


    Faye''s words were meant to burn bridges to make sure Eleanor would never have the dignity to return.


    "Finished?" Eleanor''s voice was icy. "If so, I''d appreciate it if you left. I have work to do."


    "The project doesn''t need you to seed, you know." Faye arched an eyebrow, her words deliberately vague, hinting she might be able to take over.


    Eleanor''s patience snapped. "Out. Stop wasting my time."


    Faye''s face darkened. "Eleanor, I hope you''re not putting on a show for Mr. Goodwin. Don''t expect he''lle running back to you-he''s already with my sister now."


    Before Faye could say more, Simone''s voice came from the hallway. "Faye, is there a problem?"


    Faye quicklyposed herself and smiled. "No, Professor Langley, I was just asking Eleanor about a few things."


    Simone stood in the doorway, ncing between the two women, clearly unconvinced but choosing not to push it. "Why don''t you get back to your work, Faye? I need a word with Eleanor."


    Faye gave Eleanor a resentful look before slipping out.


    Simone closed the door behind her and turned to Eleanor. "Do you have a moment to talk?"


    Eleanor nodded. Simone pulled up the chair beside her and got straight to the point. "Ian just called. He wants you to keep your position as lead investigator-no need to be in theb all the time. You''d have full control over your research and your team. The funding and resources would stay the same. So what do you think?"