Eleanor stepped into the plush jet cabin, pulling her jacket tighter against the chilly air conditioning. ncing up, she spottedn by the window, immersed in a stack of documents. He barely spared her a nce before returning his focus to the


    pages.


    "Eleanor, just pick any seat you like," Byron called out.


    She chose a spot away from him and settled in. The ne soon began to taxi and took off smoothly.


    Once they reached cruising altitude, a flight attendant brought over coffee and pastries. Byron struck up a conversation about the new medication they were developing, but before long, exhaustion seemed to catch up with him. He slumped over his tray table and fell asleep as if he''d pulled an all-nighter.


    Two hourster, theynded at Kingston International Airport. Byron was refreshed again as they made their way to the waiting car. Just as Byron was about to take the passenger seat up front, Eleanor spoke up. "Mr. Chase, I get carsick. Would it be all right if I took the front seat?"


    Byron paused, nced over atn, who-expression cool-opened the back door and slid inside without a word. Byron nodded and let Eleanor have the front, then climbed into the back himself.


    The city shed by outside the window, but inside the car, the mood was heavy and quiet. Ian leaned back and closed his eyes, looking as if he could use a rest, too.


    As Eleanor gazed out the window, a billboard caught her eye: Vanessa, the face of a luxury jewelry brand, stared down from above.


    After an hour and a half, they arrived. Eleanor stepped out of the car in front of a gray building, where two uniformed security guards stood at the entrance.


    She recognized a few familiar faces, though she couldn''t recall their names. They greeted her warmly anyway. "Mr. Goodwin, Dr. Sutton, the military delegation is already waiting in the conference room."


    Eleanor was surprised. Byron wasn''t even allowed to attend the meeting? Just how high-level was this?


    "Eleanor." From across the lobby, a familiar figure approached. Garrison strode


    over.


    "Dr. Bradley," Eleanor greeted him.


    They entered a solemn conference room. At the head of the table sat Mr. ck, and on the screen behind him, bold letters read: "Symposium on Military Applications of Brain-Computer Interfaces." Eleanor instantly understood the gravity of the asion.


    The meeting began. Garrison, representing the military,unched into his presentation. Eventually, he touched on the initial findings in brainputer interface technology. Eleanor listened attentively until Mr. ck''s gentle voice broke in.


    "Eleanor, ording to our research, you worked on simr projects during your time at Drexford, didn''t you?"


    She steadied herself, took a breath, and replied, "Yes. I participated in early-stage brainputer interface research at Drexford. Our focus was on medical rehabilitation-helping paralyzed patients control exoskeletons via brainwaves, or enablinga patients to reestablish neural activity. But for personal reasons, I left theb two years ago."


    "Dr. Sutton, do you still remember the core theoretical framework?" Garrison asked.


    Eleanor nodded. "Even though I left, I''ve continued to study the fundamentals."


    Mr. ck''s eyes shed with approval. "Your honesty is vital, Dr. Sutton. Our country urgently needs breakthroughs in this field, and scientists like you are essential."


    At that moment,n, who''d been silent until now, spoke up. "Mr. ck, Goodwin & Co. has alreadyunched a brainputer interface project. Dr. Sutton will be our chief researcher."


    Mr. ck nodded. "Ourst strategic coboration was a great sess. We have every confidence in this partnership. Thank you, Mr. Goodwin, for supporting our military initiatives."


    He nced at Eleanor. "It will remain confidential. The core technology will be controlled by the military, whilemercial applications will be managed by Goodwin & Co."


    For the first time, Eleanor looked atn directly. There would be little, if any,mercial return in the near future—perhaps not for five or ten years. That was entirely out of character forn, a man notorious for his shrewd business sense and aversion to unprofitable ventures.


    Yet, this arrangement suited Eleanor perfectly. She didn''t want her research to be just another moneymaking tool.


    The meeting concluded with Mr. ck''s solemn closing remarks. This was yet another strategic partnership, building on the foundation of their previous coboration.


    As they left the conference room, Mr. ck suddenly caught sight of someone and hurried forward, his entourage falling in step behind him. Eleanor nced up; her breath caught. Garth Ellington had arrived.


    After a few polite words with Mr. ck, Garth bypassed the others and called out warmly, “Eleanor, could youe here for a moment?"


    Everyone turned in surprise as Eleanor walked over. Garth led her down a side corridor, and she followed.


    Barely two minutester, Eleanor returned, echoing Garth''sst words in her mind:


    "Mansfield is currently on assignment abroad, but he''s very concerned about you. If you ever want an update, just reach out to me. I also met with Dr. Windsor-he spoke very highly of you. This project will need your full attention."


    Eleanor exhaled softly. So, it was Mr. Ellington whom Dr. Windsor had visited. Even he was closely watching this research. No matter which team she joined, Eleanor realized, her efforts would be poured into this project.


    Mr. Windsor had recruited her for Meridian Dynamics specifically because an independent research team could more easily coborate with hisb. That''s what he meant by "the Trojan Horse."


    Looking up, Eleanor metn''s probing gaze. He walked over to her. "Dr. Sutton, the offer letter from Meridian Dynamics has already been sent to you."