After Eleanor and Gwenda left the restroom, Faye lingered behind, leaning


    against the sink as she bit her red lip. With a bitterugh, she muttered to herself, "A doctorate? So now she''s Dr. Sutton."


    Nina, standing nearby, tried tofort her. "Faye, don''t worry. You''ll achieve just as much as she has, maybe even more."


    But Faye''s jealousy and longing couldn''t be put into words. Eleanor''s honor was something she''d dreamed of her whole life.


    Now Eleanor had it, and in such a spectacr way, her achievement seemed all the more extraordinary.


    When Eleanor returned to her seat, Simone raised her ss. "Let''s toast to Eleanor once more!"


    "To Eleanor!" the group echoed in unison.


    Faye slipped back to the table as well, looking a little sour but keeping her feelings in check-especially with Simone there. She couldn''t let herself loseposure in front of her mentor.


    After lunch, Eleanor carried the bouquet back to her office. As she was saying goodbye to Joel, she nced down at the flowers in her arms and then back at him. "Did you get these for me?"


    Joel looked momentarily surprised, then chuckled and shook his head. "I barely made it here on time-I didn''t get you flowers. I''d bet Professor Langley arranged them."


    Eleanor blinked, wondering if Simone really had ordered them in advance.


    "Drive safe, Joel," she called as he left.


    Gwenda walked with Eleanor back to theb. She hesitated, then asked, "Eleanor, is it true? Are you really leaving?"


    Eleanor nodded. "Yeah. Once the new drug trials are finished, I''ll be moving on."


    "Do you know where you''ll go?" Gwenda asked, curiosity shining in her eyes. Eleanor shook her head. "No ns yet." Dr. Windsor had reached out to her about reopening hisb, but they hadn''t spoken in detail, so nothing was settled.


    Back in her office, Eleanor set the bouquet on her desk. She absently brushed a petal with her fingers, thinking that if Simone had sent the flowers, she would have mentioned it at lunch.


    While she was lost in thought, Andie knocked and poked her head in. "Ellie, Professor Langley would like to see you in her office."


    Eleanor stood and made her way to Simone''s office, taking a seat across from her. Tentatively, she asked, "Professor Langley, about the flowers earlier—"


    Simone smiled and asked in return, "Weren''t they from Joel?"


    Eleanor held her breath. Not from Simone, and Joel had denied it too. Then who...?


    "Professor Langley, besides Joel, did you tell anyone else about me being awarded the doctorate?" Eleanor pressed, curiosity piqued.


    Simone twisted the lid off her tea, thinking for a moment. Suddenly, realization dawned and she cleared her throat. "Eleanor, the university made an official announcement. There are quite a few people in the know by now!"


    Eleanor lowered her gaze, her expression cooling.


    Atst, she figured out who had sent the flowers.


    Given Professor Langley''s connection to him, he must have heard about it as soon as the certificate was ready.


    Eleanor''s fingers tightened slightly, a flicker of disgust in her eyes. If it really was him, she should''ve tossed the bouquet straight into the trash.


    Simone noticed Eleanor''s downcast look and offered a gentle reassurance. "No matter who sent them, your aplishment is real. Oh, by the way, the university is hosting a lecture this Friday. They''d like you to give a talk-do you have time?" Eleanor nodded. "I''ll be ready."


    "Wonderful, it''s settled then." Simone smiled warmly. Now that Eleanor held her doctorate, invitations like this would be a regr urrence.


    Back in her office, Gwenda came in carrying two coffees. "Here, I picked one up for you."


    Eleanor took the cup. "Thanks."


    "These flowers are gorgeous," Gwenda admired, eyeing the bouquet.


    But Eleanor found them rather unpleasant. She turned to Gwenda. "Would you like to keep them? They''re yours if you want."


    "Really?" Gwenda''s eyes lit up. Flowers like these could stay fresh for over a week.


    "Yeah. I don''t have time to look after them-take them, please." Eleanor nodded with a smile.


    Gwenda happily scooped up the bouquet and left. Just as Eleanor sat down, her phone chimed with a message from Xavier: Congrattions.


    A warmth spread in Eleanor''s chest; she hadn''t expected him to notice so quickly. She replied politely, "Thank you."


    "Guess I''ll have to call you Dr. Sutton from now on," Xavier joked.


    Eleanor couldn''t help but smile. The new title sounded strange, but she liked it.


    Just then, an email popped up from Dr. Windsor.


    Eleanor, I''ll be back in the country on Thursday. Will be in touch then.


    Eleanor quickly sent him her phone number and WhatsApp contact. Wee back, Dr. Windsor. Let me know when yound—I''ll pick you up at the airport.


    Dr. Windsor had always preferred email formunicating with his students. Entirely devoted to his research, he''d be a renowned international neurologist.


    He was not only Eleanor''s mentor, but also her godfather-the one her father had trusted to look after her after his passing. Though Eleanor had left university in her sophomore year, her knowledge came not just from her own effort, but also from Dr. Windsor''s guidance and teaching.