"But the neural interface project is still just a pipe dream for now. At least it got my brother-inw out of this mess and secured his ce as CEO, so I guess that''s something," Faye said.


    On the other end of the line, Vanessa managed a strained smile. "Yeah, I suppose


    so."


    Faye hung up and bit her red lip, muttering to herself, "Eleanor are you really that talented, or just ridiculously lucky?"


    Meanwhile, Eleanor was resting in her office when Gwenda burst in, beaming. "Ellie, I heard you convinced the shareholders. That''s incredible!"


    Eleanor looked tired. "At least they''re not pulling their investments anymore."


    Gwenda was genuinely impressed. Goodwin & Co. had been dominating the business headlines for days, and now, with a single speech, Eleanor had managed to turn the tide-even the shareholders who''d been dissatisfied withn left the meeting in good spirits.


    "Eleanor, Mr. Goodwin really owes you a big thank you now," Gwenda said.


    "He doesn''t need to thank me. He can just keep his distance," Eleanor replied coolly, straightening up her desk.


    That afternoon, thetest headline about Goodwin & Co. broke:


    ''Former Vice President Marcus of Goodwin & Co. Under Police Investigation for White-Cor Crime''


    With that,n''s battle with the shareholders ended in a perfect victory.


    Online chatter about Goodwin & Co. quickly died down. Even the tabloids stopped reporting on the scandal.


    By four-thirty, Eleanor was headed to the parking garage when Vanessa''s car pulled up right beside hers.


    Vanessa hade to pick up Faye for dinner, but she hadn''t expected to run into Eleanor leaving work.


    "What a coincidence," Vanessa said, stepping gracefully out of her car and greeting Eleanor.


    Eleanor didn''t even acknowledge her.


    "I heard you helpedn out of this mess," Vanessa continued, "As his girlfriend, I really do appreciate it."


    Eleanor, still outside her own car, heard her loud and clear.


    "But no matter how wonderful an ex-husband is, he''s not yours anymore. Please remember that," Vanessa added just as Eleanor mmed her car door shut.


    Eleanor rolled up her window and drove off without a backward nce.


    Just then, Faye appeared, shouldering her bag as she walked over from the lobby. She slipped into the passenger seat of Vanessa''s Ferrari.


    "I just ran into Eleanor. She''s changed a lot," Vanessa said as she started the engine.


    "She really has," Faye agreed, running her fingers through her hair. "She''s so arrogant at work, acting like Meridian Dynamics would crash and burn without her."


    Vanessa nced over. "She didn''t get to you, did she?"


    Faye snorted. "As if! I''m not that easy to knock down. No matter what happens, I''ll finish my PhD in a few years. I can build my career anywhere I want."


    "Don''t go running off. Stay at Meridian Dynamics, and I''ll make sure you get every opportunity you deserve," Vanessa promised.


    Faye used to look down on Vanessa, but in this moment, she genuinely felt a sense of sisterhood.


    "Thanks," Faye said, ncing over with a grateful smile. Then she added, "No matter how impressive Eleanor is, she''s still just an employee. When you marry into the Goodwin family, you''ll be her boss. No matter how hard Eleanor works, she''ll never beat you at life. All the money she earns will end up with your kids someday."


    Vanessa smiled faintly but didn''t reply.


    Faye felt a wave of satisfaction. Eleanor was working herself to the bone, but what did she really have to show for it? Even if she won awards and caught the public''s attention, none of the Goodwin family''s wealth would ever be hers. In the end, all her hard work would just benefit Vanessa''s children, while Eleanor''s own life would amount to nothing. That, Faye thought, was the sweetest justice of all: no matter how brilliant Eleanor''s life became, she could never outdo Vanessa''s by marrying into the Goodwin family.


    Later, Eleanor arrived at the university and spotted two figures chatting beneath the trees by the front gate.


    Thete autumn sun filtered through the branches, casting a warm glow over them. A few young mothers, waiting early to pick up their children, kept sneaking nces at the two men.


    "It''s been ages since we sat down for a drink," Xavier said, sounding nostalgic. "Yeah,"n nodded, "I''ve just been swampedtely."


    "Did you manage to calm down your shareholders?" Xavier asked, squinting slightly.


    "All thanks to Eleanor,"n said evenly.


    Xavier arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"


    Xavier''s gaze darkened with thought. Just then, he caught sight of a familiar car pulling up. A glimmer of recognition shed in his eyes as he looked over.


    "She''s here," Xavier said. Without another word, he strode toward Eleanor''s car.


    Eleanor was scrolling through news on her phone when she sensed someone approaching. Expectingn, she braced herself for a chilly exchange-only to see Xaviering her way.


    She stepped out and greeted him with a warm smile. "You''re early today."


    "Yeah, I came straight from the office," Xavier replied.


    Eleanor nced past him, locking eyes withn. Instantly, her smile faded and her expression grew cold.


    "I heard fromn that you were the one who settled the shareholder drama?" Xavier asked, eyes fixed on her, as if waiting for an exnation.


    Eleanor turned her gaze back to him. “I was just doing my job—for the sake of my research project."


    Xavier liked that answer. He chuckled softly. "Well, whatever the reason, you did brilliantly."


    Eleanor tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks for thepliment."


    "What are you two talking about?"n''s voice interrupted, cutting through the moment.