Of course Eleanor knew. To conduct cutting-edge research, talent alone wasn''t enough; it required powerful resource support.


    "Of course,"n''s tone shifted. "If you insist on leaving, I''ll respect your choice. But as a... friend, I hope you''ll consider this carefully."


    It was as if he really was just a ''friend'' looking out for her best interests.


    "Can you give me some time to think about it?" Eleanor asked, looking up at him with a hint of a plea in her eyes.


    "Of course,"n nodded. "Let me know whenever you''ve made a decision."


    After breakfast, on the way to the airport, Eleanor was quiet. She was mulling over her next steps. Transferring the Neural Interface Project to the military was the best course of action, and with Joel Kingsley managing the civilian projects, she could indeed focus on her own research direction.


    However,n''s analysis was very objective. The path through The Guild of Commerce would certainly make her future research much smoother.


    But that would mean she''d owe him again. As the chairman of The Guild of Commerce, tilting resources this way would put him under pressure.


    After boarding the ne, Eleanor finally broke the silence. "Will doing this affect your reputation as chairman of The Guild of Commerce? After all, such a clear tilting of resources-"


    Eleanor''s brow, however, remained furrowed. After a moment''s thought, she couldn''t help asking again, "Is such arge-scale investment of funds really not a problem?" "The foundation''s funding sources are quite broad," Ian said, glossing over the details. "Besides the Guild''s own funds, there are annual donations from many memberpanies. Scientific research is, after all, the most promising field." Eleanor looked at his calm andposed expression, blinked, and then bit her lower lip gently, staring out the window as she thought.


    To the man across from her, she looked like a novice in the world of business. A small smile tugged at his lips, as if he was grateful for something.


    Thank goodness she was a scientific genius, not a business one. Otherwise, how could he so calmly weave this well-intentioned lie?


    A month ago after his conversation with York Windsor, he had funneled


    funds from an overseas co


    into The Guild of Commerce. On paper the Guild was footing the bill for the foundation but foundation, but in realityn in realityn was bankrolling almost all of it himself. The remaining twenty percent came from the Guild''s


    special support fund. He had deliberately designed aplex


    financial structure precisely so she


    wouldn''t see through the truth.


    Fortunately, Eleanor clearly had no intention of digging deeper. She nodded lightly. "Alright. If the procedures arepliant, then I''ll ept the project support from The Guild of Commerce."


    A smile lingered inn''s deep eyes, though he was secretly relieved. He maintained hisposed demeanor. "Good. I''ll have someone from The Guild of Commerce contact you in a few days."


    "Thank you," Eleanor said sincerely. No matter what, he had used the Guild''s support fund to help her, and that was a favor she owed him.


    "Are you sure this won''t bring you any criticism?" Eleanor was still worried about this. From the bottom of her heart, she didn''t want to cause him trouble.


    Two hourster, the ne began its descent. Eleanor looked out at the familiar city skyline, her mind already nning her future work This brought her a sense of peace Most importantly, the research funding was secured, and from now on, she could focus solely on hef research.


    At the airport exit, passengers from another international flight were also justing out. In the crowd, a figure with a troubled expression, nked by two assistants emerged It was Vanessa Shannon.


    She had just returned from a check-up at a hospital abroad. As her eyes scanned the area, her pupils suddenly dted.


    She sawn and Eleanor. Ian was pulling a small suitcase, clearly a woman''s, while Eleanor walked ahead with her bag. Ian followed her closely.


    The sight made her breath catch. The man who was always so cold and aloof was not only willing to carry Eleanor''s luggage but also wore a gentle expression she had never seen before.


    Laverne saw them too and immediately asked Vanessa, "Vanessa, should we wait a bit before going out?"


    Vanessa suppressed the jealousy in her heart and put on her sunsses. "Why should I have to hide?"


    Just thirty feet away, a mischievous little boy ran by, about to collide with Eleanor.n grabbed Eleanor''s arm, pulling her to his side and away from the two roughhousing boys.


    Behind them, Vanessa, though wearing sunsses, saw everything clearly. Her hand, clutching her bag strap, turned white.


    Without her in the way, he couldn''t wait to be stuck to Eleanor every second of the day, could he? Had he already thought of names for their second child?