Chapter 257
That night, Eleanor finished writing a research paper and submitted it to a leading international medical journal. Her findings immediately sparked lively debate
within the medical community.
Before long, several major news outlets abroad were quoting her paper, and her name was suddenly everywhere.
Meanwhile, preparations for the upcoming Ashford City International Medical Summit were in full swing. The summit, sponsored by Ashford City, would be held that weekend at a coastal resort hotel two hundred kilometers from downtown-a much-anticipated event that no one in the field wanted to miss.
One name on the attendee list drew particular attention: a Nobel Prize-winning physician from overseas, scheduled not only to attend but also to present his latest research. The summit was shaping up to be a landmark gathering for the world’s top medical minds.
Eleanor, naturally, was both excited and eager.
On Friday, Eleanor received a call from Magdalen, her great-grandmother. The elderly woman missed her great-granddaughter and hoped Eleanor would bring the little girl to spend the weekend with her.
Eleanor readily agreed. With the summit taking place so far from the city, and the trip promising to be both exhausting and time-consuming, it made sense to leave her daughter with family.
After dropping her daughter off at the Goodwin family estate, Eleanor went inside to chat for a few minutes. Magdalen took her hand, her expression tinged with regret. “I heard Vanessa is expecting lan’s child,” she sighed. “I’ll admit, I’m sorry to see you go, but at this point, my grandson isn’t right for you anymore. I only hope you’ll live well and find your own happiness p>
Eleanor smiled gently. “Grandma, I’ll come visit whenever I can p>
“That’s all I could ask for,” Magdalen replied, squeezing her hand.
Their conversation was brief, and after saying goodbye, Eleanor met up with Joel. They planned to check in early at the summit hotel that evening, along with a few scholars from Kingston, hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to exchange ideas before the main event.
At six-thirty, Eleanor and Joel arrived at the seaside villa complex. The entire resort was decorated to reflect the summit’s theme, giving the place a solemn yet grand atmosphere.
After checking in, they agreed to wait for their friends in the hotel’s main lobby. Just then, the entrance doors opened and more guests arrived-Vanessa and Faye among them.
Faye and Vanessa were hardly surprised to see Eleanor. For a conference like this, her attendance was a given.
“Joel, are you two waiting for someone?” Faye asked brightly.
Joel nodded. “A few friends from Kingston p>
“Is it for an academic discussion? Mind if I join?” Faye asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
Joel glanced at Eleanor for her opinion. Before Eleanor could answer, Faye added, a bit defensively, “If it’s inconvenient, that’s fine—I don’t want to intrude p>
“Of course, you can join,” Joel said, nodding. Faye was now part of his research team, and their discussions would overlap with projects relevant to Eleanor as well.
Faye’s eyes lit up. “Great! I’ll check in and be right back p>
A few minutes later, Xavier Vaughn and Henry Holt arrived together. Spotting Eleanor in the lobby, Xavier walked over with a warm greeting. “Miss Sutton, when did you get here p>
“Not long ago,” Eleanor replied with a smile.
There was a flicker of anticipation in Xavier’s gaze, but he simply nodded and went off with Henry to check in.
By the time everyone gathered in Conference Room Three, the group was complete. Faye came prepared with her notebook, eager to contribute. The academic exchange lasted an hour, during which Faye managed to voice her opinions and even won the approval of a few seasoned scholars, giving her a surge of confidence.
Working with Joel had taught her a great deal lately. She thought to herself, in another year or two, she might just surpass Eleanor.
After the meeting, everyone drifted off to their rooms. As Eleanor made her way down the hallway, she noticed someone on the phone-it was Xavier.
He finished his call and grinned at her. “What a coincidence-we’re next-door neighbors p>
Eleanor paused, then laughed. “That is quite the coincidence p>
A mysterious glint flashed in Xavier’s eyes. In truth, their rooms being next to each other was no accident, but rather a detail he’d arranged himself.