Eleanor abruptly pulled her hand fromn''s grasp, her gaze frosty. n, please respect my boundaries."
"I don''t want to waste even a single minute." Eleanor turned to leave.
Suddenly,n called after her, "As far as I know, Professor Williams is one of the leading authorities on pancreatic cancer. I''d like to bring him to Ashford City to consult with Professor Langley. Another expert means another perspective, another chance."
Eleanor finally looked up at him. She kept tabs on thetest in the medical world and knew full well just how renowned this expert was in the field of oncology. Ifn could really get him to consult, Simone''s chances would be that much better.
"They call pancreatic cancer the king of cancers. I hope you''ll agree with me on this,"n said quietly.
Eleanor relented. Simone''s condition weighed heavily on her heart.
"How soon could you get him here?"
"Earliest would be Monday next week,"n replied.
"Alright." Eleanor gave him a steady look. Ian seemed like he had more to say- his Adam''s apple bobbed twice-but just then, his gaze shifted over Eleanor''s shoulder, brow furrowing as he looked down the corridor.
Following his eyes, Eleanor saw Vanessa standing at the end of the hall, her manager supporting her. She looked frail, silently waiting forn.
Vanessa didn''t call out, but just by standing there, she was impossible to ignore. Eleanor broke the moment, stepping pastn and walking away.
Simone, ever sensitive to Eleanor''s moods, gave her a searching nce. “Eleanor, sometimes people leave your life so you have space to meet the right ones."
Eleanor caught Simone''s meaning and nodded. "Professor Langley,n just offered to bring Professor Williams from Montir for a consultation. Can we wait one more week? After his assessment, we can go to Kingston if necessary."
Simone''s eyes widened. "Williams? That''s-"
A world-ss specialist money alone couldn''t buy. Simone looked at Eleanor, overwhelmed. "That''s asking so much of you."
"It''s no trouble," Eleanor replied. In moments like this,n''s connections and influence were actually a blessing.
Simone let out a weary sigh. "Ian really does care."
Eleanor didn''t say anything more. She escorted Simone downstairs and made sure she got home to rest.
The heaviness lingered as Eleanor returned to theb. All she could hope was that Simone would pull through.
Back in theb, Joel walked in, wanting to know what had happened. Eleanor didn''t hold anything back; she told him about Simone''s illness.
"If Mr. Goodwin can really bring in Professor Williams from Montir, that gives us a much better shot," Joel agreed, though he looked at Eleanor with concern. She was putting herself right back inn''s orbit for Simone''s sake.
"I''ll also send Professor Langley''s test results to the experts at the Military Medical University for a second opinion," Eleanor added. "The more options, the better."
That afternoon, Eleanor had a video consult with one of the university''s specialists.
Meanwhile, at the hospital-
Once Vanessa had finished a battery of tests,n left. Not long after, Henry Holt arrived, carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers. He''d rushed back from another city as soon as his assistant had seen the news online about Vanessa''s ident.
"Something this serious, and you didn''t tell me?" Henry''s tone was gently reproachful as he set the flowers aside and sat on the edge of the bed, studying her face.
Vanessa managed a weak smile, a strip of gauze taped to her forehead. "You''re always so busy. I didn''t want to bother you."
"Some things take priority-if something like this happens, nothing else is more important." He brushed her hair back gently, concern etched across his face. "Is it bad?"
"Split my forehead open, it''s still swollen. Mild concussion. Otherwise, I''m fine," Vanessa said gamely.
Henry''s gaze fell on a suit jacket tossed over a nearby chair, his brow darkening. n was here?"
Vanessa nced at the jacket and nodded. "Yeah. He stayed with me through all the tests before he left."