Chapter 175
Eleanor glanced over just as Vanessa swept into the room, her figure wrapped in a chic, form-fitting suit that oozed confidence and just a hint of allure. Her long hair cascaded down her back as she took the lead, with Henry following close behind.
Vanessa lifted her gaze to the stage, and for a split second-when she realized it was Eleanor standing in the spotlight-it was hard to tell if her surprise came from seeing her old acquaintance or from nearly stumbling on the steps.
She lost her balance as she slid into her seat, tumbling straight into lan’s arms.
lan reacted instantly, his long arm wrapping around her waist, steadying her by the shoulder.
Henry quickly took the seat beside them. With lan’s help, Vanessa settled herself, flicked a strand of hair behind her ear, and flashed lan a radiant, playful smile before turning her attention to Eleanor on stage.
There was a glimmer of triumph in her eyes-one only Eleanor could decipher.
Vanessa had just arrived and had no idea why Eleanor was up there. She assumed Eleanor had joined the project team and was handling the introduction for the event.
But then, clear and confident, Eleanor began speaking in French, her slender hand tracing an elegant gesture in the air.
“Next, I’d like to invite you all to witness a magic that isn’t magic at all p>
As she spoke, the smart band on her wrist responded, and the entire hall was suddenly bathed in a deep, oceanic blue.
Tens of thousands of luminous particles swirled behind her, coalescing into a rotating model of a cell.
While the audience was still marveling at the breathtaking display, Eleanor’s calm, captivating voice carried through the hall, narrating, “This is the navigation program we’ve designed for T-cells p>
On the massive holographic screen, the cell membrane parted to reveal a tiny nanobot gliding through the cytoplasm. Its golden probe slid with perfect precision into the damaged mitochondrial DNA.
Her voice guided the audience through each transformation-poised, magnetic, and utterly enthralling, the very essence of scientific charisma.
The entire five-minute holographic presentation passed in a flash. When the lights came back on, Eleanor stood motionless at center stage, bathed in white light- intelligent, composed, and radiantly graceful.
Knowledge and poise seemed to flow from her, a natural elegance that was both refined and mesmerizing.
The applause that erupted was thunderous.
Vanessa’s earlier smugness had vanished. She stared in disbelief was that truly Eleanor, the same Eleanor delivering that dazzling French presentation?
It was, without question.
Faye’s expression had darkened; Eleanor’s talent never failed to get under her skin. Next to her, Gwenda sat stunned into silence, unable to fathom the depths of Eleanor’s abilities.
What else was Eleanor capable of that no one knew?
Both lan and Xavier looked thoughtful, their gazes fixed on Eleanor. Whether they were enchanted or simply engrossed in her presentation was impossible to tell.
Henry, too, was taken aback. Ever since the first time, at his villa abroad, when he’d heard Eleanor play the piano, he’d suspected she was no ordinary housewife —there was always something mysterious and fascinating about her.
Vanessa shifted in her seat, suddenly restless. She lifted her glass, using the motion as an excuse to sneak a glance at lan, only to find his eyes still on Eleanor —but his expression remained unreadable, showing none of the awe she’d expected.
Instead, it was Xavier whose gaze shimmered with a spark he couldn’t quite hide.
Vanessa’s lips curled. Ian must have known about Eleanor’s talents all along. If he did, then why was he so determined to divorce her?
Clearly, Eleanor had flaws the rest of them couldn’t see-flaws lan, after six years of marriage, must have known all too well, hidden behind her dazzling facade.