Chapter 154
Faye returned to her office. She needed to make sure Eleanor’s risky bet got out, but she had no intention of spreading the word herself. Someone else would do it for her.
She picked up the phone and dialed the extension. “Gwenda, could you come to my office for a moment?” True to form, Gwenda knocked on the door a few minutes later. Faye was still on a call, so she waved Gwenda in and said, “Just give me a second p>
While finishing her conversation, Faye spoke loud enough for Gwenda to overhear, “Eleanor made a bet with my mentor-if she passes the accelerated graduation exam, he’ll let her join the team. If she fails, she said she’ll quit medicine altogether p>
Gwenda perked up, her curiosity instantly piqued by the bombshell. Where on earth did Eleanor get the confidence she could actually pull this off?
When Faye finally hung up, she handed a folder to Gwenda. “Could you file these documents for me p>
But Gwenda was already buzzing. “Wait-Faye, were you serious just now? Eleanor actually made a bet with Dr. Langley p>
Faye pretended to caution her, “Let’s keep this between us, okay? Don’t go telling everyone p>
Gwenda promised, but Faye knew her too well. With Gwenda’s loose lips, the story would be all over the place by lunchtime. Eleanor’s gamble was about to become the group’s hottest gossip.
Sure enough, Gwenda turned into a one-woman newswire. By the end of the day, everyone in the lab was talking about Eleanor’s bet, and laughter echoed through the halls. People couldn’t wait to watch her crash and burn, certain she’d soon be forced out of the medical field.
That evening, as Eleanor arrived home with her daughter, her phone rang. It was Jude Vaughn.
“Eleanor, is it true?” Jude asked. “Did you really bet with Simone p>
Eleanor froze for a second. How did everyone find out about something that was supposed to be just between her and Simone?
Simone was always focused on research, not the type to gossip. Clearly, someone had deliberately leaked the news, hoping to see her fail and enjoy the spectacle. Faye, most likely-with Gwenda as her megaphone.
“If someone like you left medicine, it would be a real loss for the country,” Jude said.
Eleanor chuckled. “Don’t worry about me, Jude. I’m ready for whatever comes p>
On Friday, Gina called lan to ask if he could take Evelyn to Goodwin Manor for the weekend. Ian checked with his daughter, then sent Eleanor a message.
Eleanor was about to head out to pick up Evelyn when lan’s text arrived. She replied simply, “Alright p>
A few minutes later, lan sent another message: “I have a dinner meeting tonight. I won’t be home for dinner p>
Eleanor rolled her eyes. Did he really think she cared where he ate? With Evelyn at Goodwin Manor, she doubted Ian would waste any time before running to Vanessa. All week, he’d been the doting father, home every night; the weekend, though, was clearly reserved for his lover.
Eleanor decided to call Joy and meet up for dinner in the city, hoping to clear her mind.
Joy suggested a new rooftop restaurant that had just opened downtown- supposedly incredibly romantic and, though pricey, worth the splurge.
Eleanor dressed for the occasion: a little black dress with spaghetti straps, a champagne-colored cardigan, her long dark hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, and a touch of natural makeup.
She drove out and met Joy at the entrance.
When Joy saw her, she grinned. “Wow. Some things never change-you still look like the prettiest girl in school p>
Eleanor laughed. “That was ages ago. High school is ancient history p>
Joy shook her head. “Honestly, does lan have his eyes on backwards? You’re every bit as beautiful as Vanessa-except, well, you don’t try so hard p>
Eleanor’s smile faltered for a moment. She thought about how she played the perfect wife and mother in front of her daughter, and how-once upon a time- she’d done the same for lan p>