As the elevator ascended,n stood right behind Eleanor, a steady, powerful presence, like an immovable mountain guarding her back.


    The elevator pinged softly, and the doors slid open.


    Inside the conference room, several key executives from Meridian Dynamics were already waiting.


    At the long conference table,n pulled out the chair directly next to him. "Sit here," he told Eleanor.


    She hesitated for a second, but Byron smiled warmly. "Miss Sutton, please have a seat."


    Everyone in the room naturally turned their attention to her. They all knew this wasn''t a real strategy meeting; they were just here to y their parts and walk through the motions.


    Eleanor looked atn. He was already seated and gesturing for her to join him.


    She took the seat beside him. Ian immediately took control of the room. "The main reason I called you all here today is to finalize the deep strategic partnership between Dr. Sutton''s project and Meridian Dynamics. The framework agreement is set. The project managers will handle the specifics moving forward."


    The executives nodded in unison, voicing their agreement.


    Byron pulled out a document and handed it to Eleanor. "Miss Sutton, take a look at the contract. If everything is in order, you can send a trusted representative to iron out the details with us."


    She epted the folder but smiled pleasantly at the room. "Would you all mind giving us a moment? I''d like to discuss this privately with Mr. Goodwin."


    Byron looked surprised, but the rest of the room seamlessly took the hint. They all stood up and filed out of the conference room.


    Eleanor didn''t even open the folder. She simply looked up, locking her calm gaze onto the man beside her.


    "I''m assuming this partnership was entirely your personal idea," she stated point- nk.


    He didn''t deny it. That was exactly what he was doing.


    Eleanor pressed her lips together, conflicting emotions shing in her eyes. She was moved, yes, but she also fiercely disagreed with his methods.


    Sensing her hesitation,n leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a persuasive murmur. "I know you


    don''t want to feel indebted to m


    and you don''t want anyone thinking your sess relies on my backing. But I''m not doing this just to hand you resources. I genuinely believe in the absolute value of your work. I just... want to clear the path for you in my own way, so you can stand higher and go further."


    Eleanor felt an immense, chaotic pressure in her chest. This massive personal gift from him felt incredibly heavy.


    Her research simply didn''t align with Meridian Dynamics'' core focus. There was no practical reason for a deep partnership; it was just a tant waste of hispany''s


    resources.


    She stood


    up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. With her back to him; she let out a soft sigh "Thank you for getting me this far Without your initial investment and constant support my research never would have progressed so smoothly."


    Then she turned around, her eyes crystal clear andpletely resolute. "But this


    time, I''m refusing your help."


    She held his gaze, her tone brokering no argument. "I''ve thought this through. My research direction and Meridian Dynamics'' core strategy have almost no ovep. There''s no reason to force a partnership, and frankly, it''s not a sound business decision for yourpany."


    sharply.