Chapter 139
Joel had just gotten off the phone with Jude Vaughn, who’d asked him to talk some sense into Eleanor. Jude was worried Eleanor was pushing herself too hard, considering skipping a grade and taking her medical board exams early. The pressure could easily get to her, maybe even mess with her head.
As soon as the call ended, Joel made his way straight to Eleanor’s office. When she saw him walk in, she could already guess why he was there.
“Here to talk me out of it?” Eleanor looked up, meeting his eyes.
“Ellie, are you really planning to take those exams early?” Joel came right out with
it.
She nodded. “I am p>
“Are you sure this is a decision you made with a clear head p>
Eleanor gave a small smile. “I’m perfectly rational, Joel. Calm, too p>
Strangely, Joel found that he didn’t want to talk her out of it at all. In fact, he was curious—he wanted to see just how brilliant Eleanor truly was, this prodigy everyone talked about.
“Go for it. I believe in you,” Joel said, giving her an encouraging smile.
“I thought you’d be here to stop me,” Eleanor teased with a laugh.
“I’ll support whatever you decide,” Joel replied, his eyes softening with a fondness he rarely showed.
Meanwhile, Faye was delivering some files to Simone, but she couldn’t resist dropping a comment about Eleanor’s plans to take the exams ahead of schedule. Simone raised her eyebrows, surprised, but quickly regained her usual cool composure. “I can’t deny her father was an exceptional man,” Simone said, her tone detached. “But Eleanor is just a second-year med student who hasn’t even graduated yet. The fact that she developed a breakthrough drug this time—well, luck probably played a big part p>
“Professor, do you also think Eleanor only managed this because her father left her some secret formula?” Faye pressed.
Simone’s answer was noncommittal. “Her father’s research covered a lot of ground. He was involved in just about everything p>
Inside, Faye was smirking. The professor’s words were all the confirmation she needed-Eleanor’s success must be due to taking advantage of her father’s unfinished work, not her own talent.
To Faye, Eleanor was no genius. She was a fraud.
After Faye left, Simone murmured quietly to herself, “Elliot, your daughter really does take after you. I’m curious to see what kind of woman she’s become p>
By three-thirty, Joel and Eleanor were headed to the parking lot together. Joel’s car wouldn’t start, so Eleanor offered him a ride.
Not far away, Faye and Gwenda were also in the lot. They watched as Joel got into Eleanor’s car, and Faye’s eyes flashed with a mix of envy and resentment.
“Faye, do you think those two are going on a date?” Gwenda whispered.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Joel would never get between a married couple,” Faye snapped.
“Right, right, Joel’s not that kind of guy. Must be Eleanor making a move on him,” Gwenda quickly amended.
Faye felt a wave of irritation. Even if Joel was the most disciplined man in the world, she doubted he could resist Eleanor if she kept throwing herself at him like this. It might be time to take matters into her own hands.
Eleanor drove Joel downtown, where he hopped out to catch a cab and meet a friend. She headed off to pick up her daughter from preschool.
As Eleanor waited outside the school, a parent approached her, a look of recognition dawning on her face. “You’re Eleanor, aren’t you? You’re the one who developed that new medication, right p>
Eleanor smiled warmly. “Yes, that’s me p>
“Oh my goodness, I thought I’d seen you somewhere before. Turns out our kids go to the same school p>
Soon, a few more parents gathered around, introducing themselves and greeting Eleanor with admiration and respect shining in their eyes.
From the back of the crowd, a pair of eyes watched her closely-it was lan, who had just arrived to pick up his own daughter.