Eleanor ended the call without hesitation, tossing her phone aside. She had no intention of picking up again.


    She understood perfectly well: whenevern assigned Faye to a project, it was always because Faye had the skills to match. Without genuine ability, being shoehorned into a team would only make things harder for her.


    Faye belonged exactly where she could grow the most, not stuck in a cycle of envy andparison. Vanessa''s so-called help wasn''t helping at all—it was doing more harm than good.


    Breaking through technical barriers wasn''t something that could be forced.


    With Joel overseeing the project this time, even ifn tried to pull strings and push Faye into the team, Joel would stand his ground.


    Joel would neverpromise his professional standards-unlessn decided to cut him loose entirely.


    It was true thatn rarely said no to Vanessa, always indulging her requests, but this time, his professional judgment wouldn''t allow her to meddle. Maybe afterward, he''d offer her something else to make up for it, to keep both sisters satisfied.


    Meanwhile, Faye sat at her desk, unable to focus. The work in front of her felt meaningless; all she could do was wait for an answer.


    Vanessa had saidn would see herter-did that mean she''d have to wait until tomorrow?n was so busy, it was hard to say if he''d even be free tonight.


    The truth was, a man was usually his most agreeable in just one situation-when he''s in bed.


    Maybe she really would have to wait until tonight. Faye forced herself to calm down.


    Just then, her phone rang again. It was Simone. Faye paused, surprised-why was Professor Langley calling her now?


    She hesitated, then answered. “Hello? Professor Langley?"


    Simone''s voice was gentle. "Faye, how''s work goingtely?"


    "It''s all right, Professor Langley. Is there something you need?" Faye asked, curiosity piqued.


    "I heard you applied to the Neural Interface Project''s civilian applications team," Simone got straight to the point. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you''d be interested in joining the Sanctuary Cityb."


    Faye''s grip tightened on her phone. "The Sanctuary Cityb?"


    "Yes, they''re looking for a project lead over there. I think you''d be a perfect fit."


    Faye''s chest constricted. "Is this Mr. Goodwin''s idea?"


    "You guessed it, didn''t you? Yes, it''sn''s suggestion. You have real talent in materials science, and the Sanctuary City project would be a great opportunity for you." Simone''s tone softened, sincere and encouraging. "Faye, sometimes a change in environment is exactly what you need to excel."


    Faye''s heart sank. Son wanted to send her away?


    "Professor Langley, could I think about it? My family, my friends, my whole life is here in Ashford City. I really want to stay."


    "Of course. Take your time," Simone replied kindly.


    After hanging up, Faye sat back, feeling her breath quicken. Wasn never going to make an exception for Vanessa and push her into the civilian team? Was he simply trying to send her away, out of sight and out of mind?


    No matter how much she relied on Vanessa, Faye realized she had to reevaluaten''s character.


    And Vanessa wasn''t truly Mrs. Goodwin-not yet. Maybe she''d expected too much from Vanessa''s influence.


    Now, she couldn''t get into the Neural Civilian Applications Team, and she''d already requested a transfer from the Neural Core Project Team. And nown wanted to send her to Sanctuary City. Faye feltpletely stuck.


    No. She wasn''t going anywhere. She was staying in Ashford City. She would get into the civilian project team-on her own terms. If Joel wanted her to pass the assessment, then she''d do it.


    Faye pressed her lips together and dialed Vanessa''s number.


    "Vanessa, please don''t letn send me to Sanctuary City. I want to stay here in Ashford City. I''m going to take the assessment."