She''d spent ten relentless years of her life plotting to tear them apart. Was it all for nothing in the end?


    Seeingn''s deep, steady gaze fixed on Eleanor''s face, Vanessa''s heart ached. The way he leaned in showed a rare patience and focus. Eleanor, tilting her head up slightly, looked calm and earnest.


    It seemed the animosity between them was truly gone.


    Vanessa bit down on her lip. She''d given up so much right down to shackling herself to an aging man like Walden Wells. Why did Eleanor get to slip back ton''s side so easily, and end up with even more of his protection and care than before?


    "What are you looking at? Still thinking about your old me?" Walden Wells suddenly pinched her waist.


    Vanessa snapped her gaze away and put on a flirtatious expression. "Walden, I''m just angry for you. Thatn has no respect for you at all."


    Walden snorted, his own gaze turning towardn, his eyes dark. "Hmph. We''ll see how long he gets to be smug. I won''t forget this."


    This was exactly what Vanessa wanted-Walden''s animosity towardn. With Walden''s status, he could actually challenge him.


    "Walden, look at how Eleanor hasn wrapped around her finger. The way he''s defending her... I bet there''s some kind of shady deal between them!" Vanessa added, fanning the mes.


    Walden narrowed his eyes, studying Eleanor from afar. She was indeed a rare beauty, but what was more remarkable was her unique aura. He scoffed. "Whatever is going on between them, I''ll find out."


    ***


    Meanwhile, Eleanor''s eyes were once again clear and determined. "Thank you. I understand now."


    "I''m confident your results will speak for themselves in the future,"n said, straightening up, his tone more rxed.


    Just then, a board member approached them. "Dr. Sutton, there''s someone I''d like you to meet."


    Eleanor smiled at him. "Of course."


    She was led to an elderly, white-haired professor in a wheelchair. Eleanor


    recognized him instantly. He was her father''s mentor. She stepped forward to greet him. "Professor Vinson, hello."


    Professor Vinson adjusted his reading sses and studied Eleanor, a look of pleasant surprise gradually appearing on his face. "You''re Elliot''s daughter?"


    Eleanor''s eyes welled up slightly as she nodded. "Yes, Professor Vinson. I met you when I was a child. How have you been?"


    "I''m well," Professor Vinson said, looking at her with excitement. "Elliot raised a good daughter! Your father was my most promising student. He had such a gift for medicineЯt''s just a shame-"


    The old professor stopped himself and looked at Eleanor. "You''re the one picking up


    where he had to stop, and you''re making that work your own. The scientific


    Eleanor sat down and began to chat with the professor. He was very supportive of her research direction. As they talked, her path forward became even clearer. She couldn''t


    give up such an advanta Couldn''t


    research opportunity. Personal matters could be set aside for now. Her research wasn''t for profit or fame; it was for the benefit of humanity.


    Not far away, tan was surrounded by a group of people from The Guild of Commerce. He mingled, a ss of red wine in hand, but his gaze frequently drifted to the woman talking with the old professor and he was in an excellent mood. Cóntent