"He only ever discussed the research with me. I never asked for more details. After all, with your father''s influence at the time, it would have been easy for him to attract investment,” York exined, then added, "When your father agreed to let you drop out of school to marryn, he was likely thinking that—-in the worst-case scenario-if something did happen to you,n, out of his affection as your husband, would continue his research to save you. Of course, that might not sound very pleasant, but as parents, we always want to pave the best possible path for our children''s futures."


    Listening to him, Eleanor''s eyes welled up again. She could imagine her father''s anxiety and painstaking efforts.


    "You could say your father wanted to make sure you married into a family that would stand by you." York said frankly.


    Eleanor took a shallow breath. "I understand his intentions."


    "That''s why I was so surprised and worried when I heard you two had divorced. I even medn for it. It was onlyter that I learned you were the one who initiated the divorce." York let out a sigh of relief. "But then you went and solved your father''s problem yourself, sessfully developing a treatment to save yourself. It''s remarkable."


    Eleanor lowered her gaze. "Thank you for telling me all this. I understand everything now."


    "Good, as long as you understand." York looked at her with a fond expression. "What''s important is the present and the future. I can see thatn is very supportive of your research. Even after the divorce, he hasn''t forgotten his promise to your father and has invested heavily in this project. I admire him for that."


    Eleanor knew it too. Ian''s willingness to invest in this experiment regardless of the cost wasn''t for profit. It was to honor the promise he made to her father, and it was also to save her.


    The realization left her reeling, her chest pulled tight with too many emotions to name.


    Finally, she gave a wry smile. The debts between her andn were already a tangled mess, impossible to tally.


    "I know. He-he has done a lot," Eleanor said, looking up.


    York then returned the conversation to her experiment, affirming several of her uing research directions.


    "Keep it up. I hope you''ll win a Nobel Prize and bring it back for me to see."


    Hearing York''s words, which were half-joking and half-encouraging, Eleanor didn''t shake her head modestly as she usually would. She lifted her teacup took a sip, and her clear eyes shone with a determined, undeniable light.


    "I''ll do my best, Mr. Windsor." Her voice was soft but clear.


    York saw her passion for scientific research and had great confidence in her expertise and the progress she had already made.


    "Good. That''s the spirit," York praised.


    After lunch, Eleanor drove back to theb. Her conversation with York had left her feeling warm and empowered, solidifying the path she was determined to follow.


    Back at theb, she quickly changed into herb coat and threw herself back into her work. For the next few hours, she shut out all external distractions.


    It was only when she finished her current experiment that she snapped back to reality and asked Diaz, who was nearby, "Diaz, what time is it?"


    Diaz nced at his watch. “Eleanor, it''s 5:50 PM."


    Eleanor was startled. She hadn''t realized she had lost track of time. She said to Diaz, "Could you please log the data for me? I have something urgent and need to leave now."


    "Of course, Ellie. You go ahead!" Diaz nodded.


    Eleanor''s phone was in her office. She picked it up and checked it, feeling slightly stunned. There were several messages from both Jan and She opened the most recent


    Serena


    one, sent byn five minutes ago.


    [I''m on my way, almost there.]