Chapter 23
Although Evelyn wasn’t thrilled about it, she had no choice but to agree. lan grabbed his keys and drove off. Eleanor stood by the window, watching his car disappear down the driveway.
“Joslyn, I won’t be home for lunch or dinner today, so you don’t need to prepare anything for me,” Eleanor called over her shoulder as she headed out.
“Of course, ma’am,” Joslyn replied.
There was a welcome party for Joel at the lab tonight, so dinner would definitely be out. Eleanor planned to grab a quick lunch at the campus cafeteria before heading to the lab for a meeting around noon.
When she arrived at the research building at Ashford Medical University, Eleanor had barely stepped out of her car, clutching her bag, when she ran into Jude Vaughn. His face lit up as he hurried over.
“Ellie, great news! Several major companies have sent us partnership proposals. These are big names-we’re on the map p>
Eleanor smiled and nodded. “That’s incredible, Jude. Thanks for handling all this p>
“It’s nothing! Hey, is your husband interested in the pharmaceutical industry? Would he ever consider investing in biotech p>
Eleanor paused for a heartbeat, her first instinct to keep lan far away from the lab. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “I doubt it. He’s much more interested in tech or oil investments p>
“Well, if you get a chance, maybe pitch our project to him. You never know-he might change his mind p>
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Eleanor agreed politely, though she secretly hoped lan would never catch wind of this project.
By five-thirty, the entire research team was heading out. Jude had booked a table at an upscale hotel restaurant for the evening.
Eleanor was delayed, first by finishing up her proposal, then by a traffic accident that left cars at a standstill. It was nearly seven when she finally arrived at the hotel, her phone buzzing with yet another call from Jude.
“I’m in the lobby now. I’ll be right up,” she said, stepping quickly toward the elevators.
As she entered the elevator foyer, Eleanor suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Vanessa stood nearby in a slinky champagne evening gown, looking ready for a gala, a tall, distinguished man at her side-her husband, lan.
The elevator doors slid open, and Vanessa and lan stepped inside together, side by side.
So, lan had dropped their daughter off at his mother’s house just to spend the weekend alone with Vanessa?
Eleanor didn’t have feelings for lan anymore, but watching him so brazenly flaunt his affair right in front of her still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Inside the private dining room, the food was already laid out. Jude waved her over. “Ellie! There you are, we’ve been waiting for you. Come, sit next to Dr. Kingsley. You’ll want to toast with him later p>
Eleanor took the seat beside Joel, drawing a few envious glances. Faye was there too; she’d clearly been hoping to snag that spot, but Jude had gently steered her away it was obvious Joel’s side had been reserved for Eleanor.
Seated together under the warm lights, Eleanor looked serene and striking, while Joel’s refined good looks made them seem perfectly matched.
Faye cast a jealous glance at Eleanor, but reminded herself that, with her own expertise, she’d soon outshine Eleanor at work. There was no need to rush.
Jude stood and raised his glass. “First off, the fact that our lab even exists is something to celebrate. Tonight, let’s raise a toast to our biggest contributor- Eleanor. Without her, none of this would have been possible p>
Faye rolled her eyes inwardly. Eleanor was still an undergrad-how could she possibly have come up with this proposal? It must have been something left behind by her late father.
Eleanor rose with a calm smile and clinked glasses with her colleagues. Though young, she carried herself with an easy composure-confident, modest, and quietly self-assured.