Laverne no longer had a contract with Vanessa. She had stayed by her side partly because she saw her potential value and partly because of their long-standing friendship.


    From this day forward, she was done with Vanessa for good.


    At seven in the evening, Eleanor took her daughter down to the yground. As Eleanor was lost in thought, Evelyn''s voice rang out in happy surprise, "Vivian!"


    Eleanor looked up and saw Vivian over by the slide. Then, she nced toward the parents'' area and saw Xavier on the phone.


    Eleanor hadn''t expected to run into them here. At that moment, Xavier saw her too and walked over.


    "Eleanor. It''s been a while," Xavier greeted her with a smile.


    Eleanor nodded. "It has. Been busy?"


    "It''s been alright," Xavier replied.


    Eleanor suddenly remembered seeing Mrs. Vaughn recently. As someone with a medical background, she was more sensitive to certain symptoms.


    "I ran into your mom the other day. It seemed like she had forgotten something." Eleanor looked at Xavier seriously. "Has she been forgetting things oftentely?"


    Xavier thought for a moment, then his brow furrowed. "Now that you mention it, I have noticed my mom has been rather forgetful recently. She even almost forgot to turn off the stove once while cooking. Luckily, the housekeeper smelled something burning and turned it off in time."


    A knot of anxiety tightened in Xavier''s chest. He had previously dismissed it as simple forgetfulness due to old age, but now that Eleanor brought it up, he realized something might be wrong.


    "Eleanor, is there a problem with my mom''s condition?" he asked urgently.


    Eleanor was only specting. She said gently, you have the time, you might want to take her for a full check-up, especially a neurological and cognitive assessment. If there is an issue, the sooner you catch it, the sooner you can intervene."


    A flicker of worry crossed Xavier''s eyes. He took a deep breath, his gaze filled with gratitude Thank you Eleanor appreciate you pointing this out. I''ll take her for a check-up tomorrow."


    He had been so focused on work that he had neglected to pay close enough attention to his mother''s health.


    "I hope it''s nothing serious," Eleanor said sincerely.


    "By the way,n mentioned yourtest research is on neurodegenerative diseases. Does that mean-"


    Before Xavier could finish, Eleanor


    understood his question. She


    nodded. "Yes, my new project involves exploring the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. But right now, it still in the theoretical Stages. We''re a long way from any clínical applications."


    Xavier looked at her intently. "I believe in you. I''m sure you''ll make a breakthrough."


    Eleanor had indeed made a breakthrough, but she couldn''t be sure how long it would take to fully develop it. Still, with the support of the Neural Interface Project, she was confident.


    "Alright, don''t get ahead of yourself. Let''s wait for the detailed test results."


    Xavier nodded. "You''re right. But knowing about your research does make me feel a bit more at ease."


    Eleanor smiled faintly. They both watched their children ying together, afortable silence falling between them.


    Until a deep male voice called from behind them, "Eleanor. Xavier."<pn had arrived at some point, standing just a few feet away in the evening light.