Faye spotted Eleanor stepping out of the elevator and shed her a smile. "What can I say? Meridian Dynamics'' new project is calling my name. Let''s catch up soon, okay?"


    "You mean their new brainputer interface initiative?" Nina''s eyes went wide. "Wow, Faye, that''s incredible. You''re really on another level."


    Eleanor walked past just in time to catch Nina''s words. Fayending a spot on Meridian Dynamics'' core team wasn''t exactly a shock-after all,n always looked out for the Yeaton family.


    "Hold on, Eleanor." Faye suddenly called after her.


    Eleanor paused, turning her head slightly in acknowledgment.


    "You''ve probably heard about Meridian Dynamics'' brainputer project, right? It''s thetest gship initiative. Joel''s the lead researcher, and I''m his deputy." Faye''s pride was unmistakable.


    Nina suddenly remembered something. "Oh! Eleanor, I heard the Juliette Lab is reopening. Don''t tell me you''re joining them?"


    Faye spun around, surprised. "Who told you that?"


    "I overheard Professor Langley and Dr. Lyman talking about it," Nina admitted, looking unsure. "Apparently, some PhD student from Drexford ising back to reopen theb."


    Faye couldn''t help but let out a dryugh. "So the once-famous Juliette Lab is about to be second-rate?"


    "Who says it''s second-rate?" A new voice cut in-Simone, who had obviously overheard the conversation as she approached.


    Faye and Nina both shrank back, startled.


    "Dr. Windsor is a world-renowned neuroscientist," Simone exined, not wanting her students to sound ignorant and embarrass her outside these walls. "He''s running his own brainputer research with top-tier resources."


    She finished her brief defense just as the elevator doors slid open. Simone stepped inside in a hurry.


    Eleanor was about to leave too, when Nina blurted out, "Wait, Eleanor, so you''re joining Dr. Windsor''sb for the brainputer project? Does that mean you and Faye are working on the same research?"


    Faye''s expression faltered for a second but she quickly regained herposure. "The brainputer project is cutting-edge. Meridian Dynamics has a bigger budget than anyb in the country. Eleanor, just don''t let your research stay theoretical."


    "Science isn''t about who has more money. It''s about real ability." Eleanor shot Faye a level nce. "Or do you think it''s like life—just about cozying up to the right people?"


    Faye''s face darkened. "Eleanor, you—"


    "The elevator''s here, Faye!" Nina quickly interjected, eager to diffuse the tension.


    Faye squared her shoulders. “Let''s settle it fairly, Eleanor. We''ll see whoseb makes a breakthrough first-yours or Meridian Dynamics."


    Eleanor gave her a dismissive look and turned to leave.


    Faye''s fingers tightened around the cardboard box she was carrying, leaving deep creases in the edges. But then it dawned on her-Eleanor was silent because she didn''t really believe she could win.


    She wouldn''t dare to make a bet.


    This wasn''t her territory. Brainputer research was a brand-new frontier; no team in the world had cracked it yet, and Eleanor was starting from scratch.


    With Goodwin & Co.''s fortune backing Meridian Dynamics, Faye was certain: their project would take the lead.