Joel, who had been about to serve himself some food, paused. He nced fromn to Eleanor, as if silently asking for her permission to answer. Eleanor looked up atn, her displeasure obvious.


    Pushing his sses up his nose, Joel smiled and replied candidly, "Eleanor and I? You could say she''s my junior. Her father was my mentor for a year when I was abroad. Later, I returned to the country and joined theb because of her."


    He said it all with such frankness and sincerity, especially the part about returning for Eleanor''s sake.


    It was apliment, yet it carried an indescribable undertone.


    Eleanor met his gaze, her voice cool. "I thought we weren''t discussing personal matters." The implication was clear: his question was out of line.


    Joel understood that "back then" referred to the timen and Eleanor were married.


    Eleanor didn''t respond.


    Joel stepped in smoothly. "I assume, Mr. Goodwin, that you invested in ourb''s project because you value our professional capabilities and coborative spirit, not for any other... irrelevant reasons." His words were a subtle reminder thatn, as an investor, should focus on the project itself.


    He then steered the conversation back to work, easing the awkwardness. Joel readily engaged, and the rest of the meal was dedicated to business.


    After they left the restaurant, Eleanor immediately got into Joel''s car. As she did,n reached out and pped Joel on the shoulder. "Dr. Kingsley, I


    have great confidence in your el


    project. But I won''t tolerate unnecessary factors affecting its progress Especially... the


    rtionships between team members."


    The words were both a reminder and a warning.


    Joel understood perfectly. The warmth in his expression faded. "I believe the person bringing personal feelings into the workce is you, not me I suggest you mind your own emotions Mr. Goodwin and refrain from distracting your employees. It could affect the research."


    Joel''s words were like a surgeon''s scalpel, precisely cutting throughn''s


    professional facade to expose his personal agenda. Ian was clearly taken aback


    by the direct rebuttal and stood speechless for a few seconds.


    Seeing his reaction, Joel gave a polite nod. "Excuse me."


    As Joel''s car pulled away,n remained standing there, his expression.unreadable. But Gavin, standing beside him, could feel his boss''s displeasure radiating off him in waves. Joel had essentially used him of using work as a pretext to get close to Eleanor Mr. Goodwin Gavin thought, must be furious at being so bluntly called out and having his intentionsid bare.


    "Mr. Goodwin, shall we―"


    "Back to the office,"n said curtly.


    Joel drove Eleanor back to her car. She had research to attend to that afternoon and headed straight for theb.


    On Thursday evening, Eleanor called Laura to check on Simone Langley''s condition. Laura told her there was one more test result due back at ten that night, and the data was critical. Eleanor asked her to send it over as soon as it came in, and Laura agreed.


    At nine, Eleanor was sitting on the living room sofa, reading a story to her daughter. No matter what, she had to go to Kingston tomorrow.


    Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from Mansfield Ellington.


    "I heard your mentor has been hospitalized. When are you nning oning to Kingston?"