"I''ve gathered everyone here tonight to share some wonderful news," Simone announced, her voice carrying clearly across the dining room. "After a unanimous decision by the board, the university has chosen to award Eleanor a doctoral degree in medicine, as well as appoint her as our visiting professor."


    A stunned silence settled over the room for a few seconds, and then the apuse erupted, loud and heartfelt.


    Faye''s smile froze on her lips. Amid the chorus of congrattions, she muttered under her breath, "That''s impossible..."


    Gwenda was the first to throw her arms around Eleanor. "Eleanor, this is incredible! I always knew this day woulde. I just knew it."


    Their colleagues crowded around to offer their congrattions. Joel raised his ss to toast Eleanor, and she was instantly surrounded by an outpouring of support, the center of attention.


    At that moment, a server appeared at the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers and scanning the room. She called out, "Excuse me, could someone tell me who Dr. Sutton is?"


    A hand pointed, "That''s Dr. Sutton over there."


    The server blinked in surprise. She had expected the recipient to be a middle- aged woman-certainly not someone so young and strikingly beautiful. Still, she smiled brightly and walked over. "Dr. Sutton, someone left these for you. They''re from a guest in the restaurant. If you could just sign here, please."


    Eleanor hesitated, puzzled but delighted, and signed for the flowers.


    With the bouquet in her arms, she nced back at Simone, who gave her an encouraging smile. Then she looked at Joel, who was smiling, too.


    She couldn''t help but wonder-was it one of them who''d sent the flowers?


    Halfway through dinner, Eleanor excused herself to the restroom. Inside, Faye was at the sink. When she saw Eleanor enter a stall, she leaned toward Nina and whispered, "Some people just get lucky. Connections can hand you what others work a lifetime for and never reach."


    Nina paused, realizing Faye meant for Eleanor to overhear.


    Just then, another stall door swung open. Gwenda emerged, her tone sharp. "Faye, you can''t fake academic achievement. Eleanor''s research is respected internationally. Isn''t it only fair she gets her doctorate?"


    Faye shot back with a sneer. "Oh please, Gwenda, would it kill you to stop sucking up to her for one second?"


    Gwenda flushed with anger. "Faye, what''s wrong with you?"


    Eleanor stepped out of her stall just then. Gwenda turned and, seeing her, quickly tried to reassure her. "Eleanor, your aplishments speak for themselves. Everyone knows it."


    Eleanor smiled, meeting Gwenda''s eyes. "I know." Then, without so much as a nce at Faye, she added, "People with real ability don''t need to tear others down just to make themselves look better."


    Gwenda was struck by admiration;pared to barking back, Eleanor''s calm dismissal was the sharpest retort of all.


    Faye turned pale, then red with anger. "Don''t get too smug, Eleanor."


    Trying to lighten the mood, Gwenda said quickly, "Eleanor, I saw your article was published in the International Journal of Medicine. You''re amazing."


    "Come on, Gwenda," Eleanor said, looping her arm through hers. "Everyone''s waiting for us."