But to Faye, the gesture carried another meaning entirely.


    No matter how extraordinaryn''s abilities were, he was still subject to the same impulses as any other man.


    Though Faye was annoyed by it all, she kept a mask of focus, appearingpletely absorbed in the meeting.


    Eleanor, face cool andposed, listened intently to Byron''s report, acting as ifn wasn''t even there.


    Across the table, Faye noticed every detail. Ian might have looked as unbothered as ever, but his actions were tinged with something subtle, probing a question flickering in his eyes.


    Hadn really not moved on from Eleanor?


    The thought left Faye unsettled. Ian just didn''t seem like the kind of man who would revisit the past.


    And yet, there was the undeniable fact: Eleanor had been about to leave theb for good, butn had personally asked her to return, assigning her as lead researcher on their most critical project.


    Faye shot a nce atn. So much for men being above it all, she thought with a trace of disdain.


    She couldn''t help but feel sorry for Vanessa, who had devoted so many years to this man.


    "Mr. Goodwin, do you have any suggestions regarding theb equipment upgrades?" Byron asked, turning ton.


    Eleanor nodded at Byron. "Just forward it to me, VP Chase."


    Byron nodded back. "Alright. That''s it for today. If anyone has questions, post them in the group chat."


    As the meeting wrapped up, people stood and began to file out. Eleanor quietly collected the folder in front ofn, then walked out without looking back.


    Faye watched her go. Outwardly, Eleanor''s attitude towardn seemed cold, even impatient, but who didn''t know she was secretly pleased? No woman would be indifferent to being put in charge of a gship project by her ex-husband-Eleanor had her pride, too.


    Eleanor made a quick stop at the restroom. Soon after, a group of assistants came in, chatting and reapplying their makeup.


    "Did you hear? Faye''s sister is dating Mr. Goodwin. I bet she''s jealous now that Eleanor''s on the brain-machine project team."


    "I wouldn''t be surprised if she''s already causing drama behind the scenes!"


    "I''ll bet Mr. Goodwin''s sweet-talking her as we speak."


    "Oh, I''d love to see how Mr. Goodwin makes it up to a woman. He must be so charming when he wants to be!"


    "Honestly, if I were his girlfriend, all it would take is a look from him and I''d forgive everything."


    "Not me. I''d want him to throw me on the bed and hold me all night as an apology." Thest assistant''sment sent the others into peals ofughter. "I want that too!"


    Eleanor waited for them to leave before stepping out. Her reflection in the mirror was as calm andposed as ever.


    She thought, if those girls had lived through her marriage, they wouldn''t beughing so freely now.


    Back in her office, her phone rang. It was Xavier.


    Eleanor stepped over to the window and answered. "Hello, Xavier."


    "I heard you decided to stay atn''sb. Is that true?" Xavier sounded genuinely surprised.


    Eleanor sighed quietly. "Yes, I''m staying."


    "Can I ask why? Or is that too much?" Xavier''s voice was slightly hoarse.


    "I''d rather not say, but it''s not what you''re thinking," Eleanor replied.


    "So, it''s got nothing to do withn?" he pressed.


    "Ian and I are over. That hasn''t changed," she said firmly.


    "Alright. No matter where you work, I''ll support you."


    "Thank you for leasing theb to Mr. Windsor," Eleanor added gratefully.


    "Ab should be used for research. Letting it sit empty is just a waste," Xavier said


    with augh. "Let''s grab a meal together sometime."


    "Sure. I should get back to work now," Eleanor said.


    At lunch, Eleanor ate in thepany cafeteria with Gwenda. Meridian Dynamics'' cafeteria was famous for its top-notch food; Gwenda speared a piece of fresh salmon and sighed, "At this rate, I''m going to gain at least a few pounds."


    Eleanor grinned. "Well, the work is intense too. You''d better be ready for that." "I''m not worried. I''ll give it my all," Gwenda replied, determined.


    Later that afternoon, Eleanor got a call from York, asking her toe by for an introduction.


    She hurried to the presidential suite at the Vesper Joy Hotel, where she found a middle-aged couple, both in their early fifties, sitting on the sofa.


    "Eleanor, this is Tanya and Julian Grant. They''re from the Montir research division."


    "I''ve been following your published papers over the past year. We''ve read every one-impressive work," Tanya said, her short hair and sses giving her a sharp, intelligent air.


    "We met your father a few times, actually-shared a meal at Drexford College. You must have been just a child back then," Julian added with a warm smile.


    The mention of her father made Eleanor feel instantly at ease. “It''s nice to meet you both," she replied.