As the elevator doors to the twenty-seventh floor closed,n said to Eleanor, "Thank you."


    Eleanor watched the doors slide shut, her heart not entirely unmoved. She had felt his apology and his willingness to back down, but the past wounds were too deep. Some things couldn''t be redone.


    For instance, her love for him, her passion for him, and the feelings that had long since died.


    They could be friends, partners, an investor and an investee—anything but husband and wife.


    When Eleanor got home, she told Joslyn she wouldn''t be home for lunch and went upstairs to work.


    At 11:30 AM, Eleanor received a message from Joel. As she headed downstairs, her mind preupied with work, she suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching: Mrs. Vaughn, Xavier Vaughn''s mother.


    Eleanor prepared to greet her, but Mrs. Vaughn seemed to walk right past without seeing her. It was only when Eleanor was beside her that she abruptly looked up, staring for a few seconds before recognition dawned.


    "Eleanor, it''s you!" Mrs. Vaughn said with a smile, then chided herself. "It''s my own fault. My memory has been getting worsetely. I forgot my phone at home again, and I was just on my way back to get it!"


    Eleanor noticed that Mrs. Vaughn''s eyes didn''t seem as bright as they used to, and the signs of old age appeared more pronounced. In a sh, she realized it had been over half a year since they''d run into each other, despite living in the sameplex.


    "I''m sorry if I startled you," Eleanor said with an apologetic smile.


    "Are you still busy with work? You must take care of yourself. Look at me, my memory is just getting worse and worse." Just as Mrs. Vaughn finished speaking, her caregiver hurried over. "Ma''am, I brought your phone down for you."


    Eleanor smiled at Mrs. Vaughn. "Well, I''m off to meet a friend, Mrs. Vaughn." Mrs. Vaughn waved. "Go on, then! You young people are always so busy."


    After walking a few steps, Eleanor couldn''t help but look back at Mrs. Vaughn. She had a feeling it wasn''t just normal age-rted


    forgetfulness, it seemed more like the early symptoms of dementia, Perhaps she should mention it to Xavier.


    Eleanor reached the main gate and spotted Joel''s car. She walked over quickly, pulling open the passenger-side door and getting in.


    Seeing how much her energy andplexion had improved after some time off,


    Joel smiled. "It seems a good work-life bnce is really important."


    "Yes, it is," Eleanor agreed with a smile. She had been feeling greattely.


    They arrived at a nearby restaurant, where Joel brought up work. There were a few different directions he needed to discuss with her.


    Although Eleanor had withdrawer


    from the Neural interface Project,


    she was still the one who had


    proposed its core theory, and she offered some very insightful opinions.


    "You''re really lucky your new project received so much funding. Now you can continue your research without any worries," Joel said with a smile.


    "I know, I feel very fortunate. Of course,n''s help and influence were a big part of it," Eleanor said honestly.


    Joel''s expression grew more serious. "Ellie, have you ever thought about whyn is so invested in your affairs? Do you really think it''s just about making money?"


    Eleanor''s breath caught for a moment. She pressed her lips together. How could she not know?


    "From the very beginning, when he invested in theb, I could tell arge part of it was for you. Of course, your research didn''t disappoint him


    helped him gain a foothold in the pharmaceutical world and made him a lot of money. But on a personal level, I think he wants to remarry you."


    Joel rarely spoke so bluntly about Eleanor''s private life.