Chapter 129
Eleanor answered immediately, “No need. I’ve already booked a flight for this afternoon to take my daughter home p>
“Then let’s go together!” lan chimed in.
The last thing Eleanor wanted was to share a plane ride with him. She was about to refuse, but Evelyn tugged at her hand, pleading, “Mommy, let’s go home with Daddy p>
Eleanor couldn’t say no to her daughter. She nodded, “Alright p>
Just then, Joel walked over. “Eleanor, I’m meeting a friend tonight, so I’ll head back to Ashford City tomorrow p>
Eleanor understood-Joel was giving her and lan some space. She nodded again, “Okay p>
At noon, they had lunch together in the hotel restaurant. Ian booked seats on the three o’clock flight home.
Eleanor half-expected to run into Vanessa but, thankfully, this time lan was traveling alone; at least she didn’t have to stomach Vanessa’s presence.
The flight took just two hours, and when they landed in Ashford City, Gavin was already waiting for them outside the airport in his car. The evening light was fading across the sky as Eleanor cradled her sleeping daughter all the way home.
When they arrived, both mother and daughter woke up. Evelyn was wide awake and full of energy, while Eleanor still felt groggy from her nap. She headed upstairs for a quick shower.
Evelyn played for a bit before turning to lan. “Daddy, I want to call Grandma p>
lan dialed his mother’s number and handed Evelyn the phone.
“Grandma! Grandma, you have to watch TV tonight, okay? Mommy’s going to be on TV-she’s bringing home a huge trophy p>
Gina was taken aback. “Your mom’s going to be on TV p>
“Yep! You have to watch, Grandma!” Evelyn hung up, satisfied.
At Goodwin Manor, Gina didn’t think much of her granddaughter’s words. But Magdalen, who always watched the evening news, was already sitting on the sofa, sipping her herbal tea as she flipped to the Ashford City news channel.
The news hour began.
Magdalen took a slow sip, watching the day’s headlines flash by. Suddenly, she spotted Eleanor on the screen. Startled, she exclaimed, “Was that Ellie p>
Gina came over, “Mom, you must be seeing things. Why would Eleanor be on the news p>
Right then, the anchor began the top story: the National Academy of Sciences award ceremony. She read out the list of this year’s winners, and when Eleanor’s name came up, Magdalen said firmly, “I heard her name. Ellie’s on the winners’ list p>
Gina sat down beside her mother-in-law. The footage showed Eleanor accepting her award, lan handing it to her, and even a clip from Eleanor’s interview. The anchor’s voice was clear as she introduced Eleanor’s achievements.
“Eleanor’s the researcher behind the new medicine? That can’t be,” Gina muttered, stunned.
But Magdalen beamed. “It’s Ellie-how wonderful! She’s amazing p>
“I thought it was Vanessa’s sister?” Gina was confused, but as she watched Eleanor standing on the podium, pride bubbled up inside her.
After all, her son wasn’t divorcing Eleanor, and Eleanor was still a part of the Goodwin family. The more outstanding Eleanor was, the better it made her son look. It was, in the end, a good thing.
Just then, Serena came in from outside. “Grandma, Mom, I’m home p>
“Serena, come here! We have great news-your sister-in-law was on the news. She even won an award!” Magdalen waved her over to join in the excitement. Serena looked surprised as she joined them. The news had already moved on to other stories, so Gina asked, “Serena, who did you say developed the new drug?” “It’s Vanessa’s sister, Faye,” Serena replied.
Gina was puzzled. “Then why was your sister-in-law Eleanor on stage at the National Academy of Sciences accepting the award? The news said she’s the lead researcher behind the new medicine p>
“No way. You know what kind of education my sister-in-law has,” Serena shot back, clearly skeptical.