"Grandma, don''t try to change the subject. Bottom line-I''m the first to say no to them getting back together." Serena raised her hand in protest.


    Magdalen gave a dismissive snort. "Since when do we need your permission? This is between your brother and Eleanor."


    "That means there''s even less hope. My brother never goes back on a decision. He doesn''t love Eleanor-how can none of you see that?" Serena was determined to make her point clear.


    Gina cut in, sounding a little annoyed. "Enough. Why stir up trouble with your grandmother right aftering back? Go take a shower-you reek of perfume."


    Serena pulled a face. "I''m just telling the truth. My brother''s been seeing Vanessa all over Ashfordtely, and you still want him to reconcile with Eleanor? No way."


    Magdalen snapped her head around. "You''re sure about your brother and Vanessa?"


    "Absolutely. Vanessa told me herself. Why would she lie?" Serena replied, brimming with confidence.


    Gina shot her daughter a warning look, signaling her to stop upsetting the elderly


    woman.


    Serena turned and bounded upstairs. Magdalen let out a tired sigh.


    ...


    Later that night, after tucking her daughter in with a bedtime story, Eleanor found herself wide awake. She sat on the balcony, knees pulled up to her chest, gazing at the pale, quiet street outside, lost in thought.


    A new email suddenly blinked onto her phone screen. It shed by quickly, but she caught a glimpse and tapped into her inbox, opening the most recent message.


    When she saw the sender''s name, her eyes widened. She hurried to open it.


    "Eleanor, how have you been? It''s been two years since you left theb, and I''ve missed you greatly. I respected your decision to return to your family, but I always knew you''d continue to shine in the medical field. This is why I''ve decided to restart our old research project and will be opening a newboratory in Ashford City. I would be honored if you''d join me.”


    The email was signed by Dr. York Windsor-her mentor at the Drexfordb, and herte father''s lifelong friend.


    Dr. Windsor was a world-renowned medical expert and the guiding light of her academic career.


    Eleanor leaned back in her chair, memories of endless days and nights in theb flooding her mind-the hours spent hunched over test tubes and microscopes.


    It was her father who had arranged for her to join Dr. Windsor''sb, paving thatst path for her before he passed away.


    Her eyes grew misty. Her father''s foresight had rescued her from the wreckage of her failed marriage.


    Without him, her life might have been aplete disaster.


    Dr. Windsor, originally from Drexford, had always talked about returning to set up


    ab in his home country. It fit his character perfectly.


    Restarting that old project wouldn''t be easy. Still, Eleanor had never truly abandoned that line of research.


    She typed out her reply: "Dr. Windsor, when will you be back? Let''s meet and talk things over."


    Back in her room, Eleanor gently brushed the hair from her daughter''s forehead and kissed her goodnight, her mind still churning with thoughts.


    After the weekend, on Monday morning, Eleanor pulled into theb''s parking lot. Just as she eased her car into a space, a shy Bentley screeched in opposite her, backing swiftly into a spot.


    Faye stepped out, swinging her purse, and shot Eleanor a quick nce. She arched an eyebrow, then strode toward the building without a word. At the elevators, even though she knew Eleanor was right behind her, Faye didn''t wait- instead, she let the doors close and rode up alone.


    Eleanor took the next elevator. As she stepped out, her phone buzzed-a message from Simone: "Come by my office when you get in. I have something important to discuss."


    Eleanor dropped her bag off in her office, then headed down the hall.


    Simone greeted her with a warm, almost proud smile. "Good news-you want to take a guess?"


    Eleanor looked puzzled and shook her head. "Professor Langley, I really have no idea."


    Simone studied her for a moment, then smiled, pulling a gold-embossed envelope from her desk drawer and handing it over with ceremony. "The university board voted unanimously-congrattions! You''ve been awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree from Ashford Medical University, and we''d like you to join us as a visiting professor. I wanted to be the first to tell you."