By epting the junior role, Faye hoped to both make a good impression on Joel and have the opportunity to work alongside him. It was apromise she was willing to make.


    News that Faye had passed the assessment quickly spread through theb. Gwenda, who was helping Eleanor organize files, brought it up. "Faye is pretty sharp, I guess. I heard she passed, even if it was just by a hair."


    Eleanor, typing away at her keyboard, nced up. "Good for her."


    "Well, at least with her gone, you''ll have some peace and quiet," Gwenda added.


    After all, Faye often acted entitled, unting her connection as Mr. Goodwin''s future sister-inw.


    Seeing Eleanor was already absorbed in her work again, Gwenda dropped the subject. Secretly, she was thrilled about Faye''s transfer.


    Just then, Callie came over to discuss an experiment with Eleanor. As they sat down to talk, Gwenda leaned in to eavesdrop but found the conversation bafflinglyplex. The theories Eleanor was proposing were concepts she had never even heard of in medical school.


    Meanwhile, Faye sat in a coffee shop, wanting to tell Vanessa the news. But she remembered Vanessa was traveling abroad for several months, and even more enviably,n was with her.


    She figuredn was taking her on a trip around the world to lift her spirits after her recent bad moods.


    She decided to wait until tomorrow to share her news. Instead, she grabbed her purse and headed to her father''spany. It had been a while since herst visit. Yeaton Holdings had recently acquired an office tower in the city center, and the building looked impressive in thete afternoon sun.


    Faye stepped out of her car and walked into the grand, modern lobby of Yeaton Holdings. The receptionist''s face lit up upon seeing her. "Good afternoon, Miss Yeaton."


    "Hello," Faye said with a slight nod. She was so caught up in herb work that she sometimes forgot her other identity: the heiress of Yeaton Holdings.


    Here, she could soothe the bruised ego she''d suffered from the exam. Here, she was someone to be fawned over, not a research assistant desperately trying to prove her worth while living in Eleanor''s shadow.


    She headed for the executive elevator, and every employee she passed greeted her with a respectful nod.


    "Good afternoon, Miss Yeaton."


    "You look lovely today, Miss Yeaton."


    The ttery was a balm to her soul. If she weren''t so determined to make a name for herself, she could easily live the life of a socialite, enjoying every luxury.


    But she wasn''t content with that. She wanted to achieve something in the academic world, a kind of honor and recognition that a life of leisure could never provide.


    Just then, a man in a suit carrying a briefcase walked toward her. Faye''s smile vanished. She tried to turn away before he noticed her, but it was toote.


    "Faye!" Horace''s voice was filled with excitement as he hurried over. "Its really is you! I was hoping you''d visit thepany I cant believe was, lucky enough to an into you today."


    A sh of annoyance crossed Faye''s face. The main reason she avoided the office was to avoid Horace. She didn''t mind being ttered by other men, but Horace''s attention grated on her.


    His eyes were fixed on her, glowing with admiration. "Faye, you look more sophisticated every time I see you. Being a scientist really suits you."


    Faye took a step back, creating distance between them. "Horace," she said with a forced smile. "How are you settling in at my father''spany?"


    Horace beamed. "Thanks to you, I''m doing great. I''m not a team lead anymore. I was just promoted to manager."


    He waited for her to congratte him, but her expression remained cool. He felt a pang of awkwardness. "Of course, a position like mine is nothing to someone like you, Miss Yeaton."


    "Well, you should get back to work. I have to see my father about something," Faye said dismissively.


    "Your father stepped out. He might not be in the office," Horace said, his concern evident. "Is everything going well at theb? With your talent, I''m sure you''re excelling."


    His words were meant as a<ppliment, but on a day when she felt anything but sessful, they struck a nerve. Her face darkened. There''s nothing to tell Research takes years to yield results."