The next morning, after dropping her daughter off at school, Eleanor headed to theb. The Drexford Summit had been more rewarding than she''d hoped, and now it was time to settle in and focus on her research.


    Joel Kingsley called the morning meeting. Eleanor slipped on herb coat and joined the others.


    Simone Langley and her team arrived as well.


    No sooner had Eleanor stepped into the conference room than she felt a pair of envious eyes on her. Faye Yeaton had heard that Eleanor had been invited to the Drexford Summit—a world-ss medical conference-and she''d also learned from Vanessa Shannon thatn himself had apanied her.


    That kind of treatment was the envy of everyone. Maybe it was evenn who''d secured Eleanor''s invitation. After all, on the world stage of medical research, Eleanor''s reputation was hardly legendary.


    "Now, I''d like Eleanor to give us a brief overview of the summit-let us know what breakthroughs other countries are making in medical research," Joel announced, leading the apuse.


    Simone smiled encouragingly. "Eleanor, tell us what you saw and learned this time."


    Eleanor stood up calmly, walked to the projector, and brought up her slides.


    "This year''s summit focused mainly on gene editing and immunotherapy for cancer," she exined in detail. Then her tone shifted. "Of course, our own research is right at the forefront particrly our progress in leukemia treatment, and the advances we''ve made with our Al robotics. We''re leading the field globally in both areas."


    Simone''s eyes shone with pride. “Exactly. We''re more than capable ofpeting with the world''s best teams."


    Faye bit her lip in frustration. Both major research achievements Eleanor had mentioned were projects Faye herself had worked on. Clearly, Eleanor hadn''t missed a chance to showcase their sess at the summit.


    After the meeting, as Simone and Eleanor spoke in the hallway, Faye


    approached, clutching a folder. "Professor, did you get a chance to read the paper


    I submittedst week?"


    "Oh, not yet! I''ll take a look when I have time," Simone replied.


    Faye''s smile faltered. She''d hoped Simone would praise her in front of Eleanor- after all, she thought her paper was excellent.


    "Congrattions, Eleanor!" Faye said, forcing her brightest smile for Simone''s benefit. "You really put ourb on the map at the summit."


    Eleanor dipped her head in acknowledgement.


    "But next time, maybe someone with more experience should go-like Dr. Lyman, Professor Langley, or Joel. Don''t you think?" Faye''s polite tone barely concealed the jab at Eleanor for stealing the spotlight.


    "Faye." Simone gave her a pointed look. "Eleanor was invited by name because her work on targeted leukemia therapy is attracting international attention. Not just anyone gets that kind of invitation."


    Faye''s cheeks reddened. She managed a weak smile. "I just think that for international conferences, it''s better to send someone with more experience. They''d be more representative."


    "Eleanor did an outstanding job. If we get the chance, we''d all be happy to rmend her again," Simone said firmly, seeing right through Faye''s attempt to stir up trouble.


    Faye flushed. "I''m sorry, Professor. I misspoke."


    "I''ll head back to theb, Professor Langley," Eleanor said, turning away.


    Faye nced at Simone, wounded. Simone pointed at her. "If you put that energy


    into your research, you''d go far. I had such high hopes for you once."


    Faye''s fingers dug into her palm. "I know."


    After Simone left, Faye took a deep breath. Eleanor was gaining international recognition, while she was still stuck as an assistant researcher.


    Later, Joel joined Eleanor in theb, and they worked straight through till the end of the day.


    Eleanor was set to leave for Kingston in the morning. She mentioned it to Joel, who nodded approvingly. "It''s a great opportunity. If you can secure national-level support, our project will move forward much more smoothly."


    Eleanor was eager to win more resources for theb.


    At 4:30, her phone buzzed with a message fromn.


    "Heard you''re heading to Kingston for work. I''ll pick Evelyn up tonight and take her to my mother''s for a few days."


    Eleanor knew her daughter missed her grandmother; she''d asked about visiting justst night, and Eleanor had promised her she could go.


    "Okay," Eleanor replied.


    "I''ll be in Kingston for work too. Want to travel together?"n followed up.


    "No need," Eleanor answered, without hesitation.


    "I''ve arranged to go with Dr. Windsor," he texted back.


    "I''ve already made ns," Eleanor replied.


    "With Mansfield?"


    "None of your business."


    In his office at Goodwin & Co.,n stared at Eleanor''s message, drumming his long fingers twice on the desk before finally typing, "Alright, see you in Kingston."


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Vanessa was finally recovering after a high fever hadnded her in the ICU. Now, in her pale blue hospital gown, she looked even more delicate than usual.