"Besides," someone chimed in, "didn''t you notice Mr. Goodwin''s expression today? He was nothing but respectful and pleased with Dr. Kingsley, but I sure didn''t see him treating Faye like a future sister-inw."


    "Exactly! Unless he''s looking at Eleanor, Mr. Goodwin acts like the rest of us are invisible."


    "So what''s Faye going to do now? I heard there''s already a line for the civilian project group! If she can''t even get into a specialized team, won''t she be theughingstock of the entireb?"


    Faye''s chest tightened as she gritted her teeth, fists clenched. She barely resisted the urge to storm into the bathroom and let off steam. In the end, she turned sharply and walked away.


    She had barely stepped into the hallway when a group of assistants carrying files caught sight of her. They all fell suddenly silent.


    Faye marched past with her eyes fixed straight ahead, one thought ringing in her head-No matter what, I have to get into the civilian project group.


    ***


    Joel knocked on Eleanor''s office door and stepped inside.


    "Joel," Eleanor greeted him with a smile.


    "Sorry I didn''t mention this earlier I figured it''d be announced at the meeting today anyway," Joel said.


    Eleanor''s smile was easy. "It''s fine. With you leading the civilian project group, I couldn''t ask for a better arrangement."


    Joel met her gaze. "Mr. Goodwin will be assigning Callie to assist you. She''s capable and trustworthy. I''ll make sure the handover is smooth."


    Eleanor nodded; Simone had already called to brief her.


    "I''ll be busy recruiting the team for a while," Joel continued. "Since Mr. Goodwin''s put the project fully in my hands, I need to deliver results." His eyes lingered on Eleanor, sincere and determined. "Any profit from the civilian project will be funneled straight into the Neural Interface Project Team. That''s Mr. Goodwin''s promise to me."


    Eleanor''s eyes widened in surprise. Joel had actually gottenn to make that kind of promise? So his decision to join the civilian team was really to safeguard her research?


    "Joel..." Her voice caught, eyes shining with emotion.


    Joel smiled. "It''s all in the name of science. Your talent should be put where it matters most. My job is to make sure Goodwin & Co. earns enough so you never have to worry about research funding."


    Eleanor couldn''t help but look at him gratefully. "The underlying logic of the civilian project and neural interface oveps a lot. Once we get it running, it''ll be a huge boost for my clinical trials, too."


    Suddenly, something urred to her. "What are you nning to do about Faye?"


    Joel''s expression was calm. "I''ll follow protocol-start with a technical assessment. If she''s got what it takes, I have no reason to turn her away." His voice dropped, steady and resolute. "But rest assured, I won''t lower the bar for anyone, no matter my personal connections."


    "And ifn tries to force her into the group?" Eleanor asked.


    She knew it wasn''t impossible. If Vanessa pushedn hard enough, he''d cave.


    Joel''s face grew cold. "If Mr. Goodwin interferes, I''ll hand in my resignation on the spot. I won''t stand for it."


    Eleanor stared at him for a moment, then broke into a smile. That was Joel all over-upromising when it came to professionalism. Even ifn was his boss, he''d never y favorites.


    After Joel left, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a message fromn: "Any thoughts on Joel''s arrangement?"


    Eleanor frowned. He''d already made the announcement-why bother asking her opinion now?


    "None," she replied coolly.


    At Goodwin & Co.,n sat on the sofa, staring at Eleanor''s terse reply. He didn''t send another message. Just then, Gavin knocked and entered. "Mr. Goodwin, Miss Shannon is here."