Chapter 262
Xavier glanced at Eleanor and asked, “Want to step out on the balcony and catch the moon p>
Eleanor nodded, her face lighting up. “Sure, that sounds nice p>
She was more than ready to escape the crowd and find a quiet spot to herself.
The two made their way toward the balcony, chatting softly as they went.
Across the room, lan watched their retreating figures, his grip tightening around his glass.
Vanessa noticed his distraction and leaned in, her voice gentle. “Ian, something on your mind p>
He pulled his gaze away, keeping his tone neutral. “It’s nothing p>
But Vanessa followed his line of sight, her eyes narrowing just slightly when she caught sight of Eleanor and Xavier talking side by side. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face.
Was Eleanor really that eager to cozy up to Xavier, hoping to hitch herself to his success?
Out on the balcony, Xavier looked up at the night sky. “The moon is beautiful tonight p>
Eleanor tilted her head back to look as well. Xavier took the opportunity to study her profile, his throat tightening.
To him, Eleanor’s beauty had already eclipsed the glow of the moon.
When they returned from the balcony, Faye approached Xavier. “Mr. Vaughn, may I have a quick word with Eleanor p>
Xavier nodded and turned to Eleanor. “I’ll be over there if you need me p>
Eleanor and Faye had never had much to say to each other. Eleanor turned to leave, but Faye called after her. “Eleanor, I had a chat with Dr. Smith earlier. Turns out a lot of your ideas overlap with his research. You wouldn’t happen to be p>
“Accusing me of plagiarism again?” Eleanor spun around, her tone icy, a mocking smile on her lips.
Faye’s expression soured, but then she smiled with a hint of malice. “Do you really think Dr. Smith pays attention to you on your own merits? If it weren’t for Mr. Goodwin, you’d never even get a seat at his table p>
Eleanor froze. She remembered how, just that morning, she’d asked lan to
introduce her to Dr. Smith. What version of the story had Faye heard?
Before Eleanor could answer, Joel’s voice cut through the tension. “That’s enough, Faye p>
Faye flushed, startled to see Joel standing there.
He’d clearly overheard Faye’s taunt. His gaze settled on her, stern. “Eleanor’s paper was published in a top international journal. She’s earned recognition in medical circles both here and abroad. Those are real achievements p>
Faye’s resentment flashed in her eyes before she turned and stalked away.
Eleanor turned to Joel, gratitude softening her features. “Thank you, Joel p>
He looked at her, a warm smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve always been the best in my eyes p>
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to hum with something unspoken.
Unbeknownst to them, lan watched from the shadows at the edge of the ballroom, his expression unreadable.
Tonight, he’d been treated to a front-row seat as two men vied for his ex-wife’s attention.
As Eleanor and Joel continued their conversation, Eleanor suddenly felt a gaze burning into her. She turned instinctively, locking eyes with lan. He stood in the dim light, his tall figure blending into the darkness beyond the balcony, but his eyes were impossibly bright.
Eleanor looked away and murmured to Joel, “I think I’ll head back to my room.” “I’ll walk with you p>
They’d barely taken a few steps when Dr. James from Xavier’s lab approached, beaming. “Miss Sutton, just the person I hoped to find p>
Eleanor blinked in surprise but stopped politely.
Dr. James smiled. “I read your article in Nature Medicine the ideas are truly innovative p>
“Thank you, that means a lot,” Eleanor replied modestly.
“Really, your research is exceptional.” Dr. James’s tone was sincere. “Our lab is very interested in your work. Would you consider collaborating on a joint project p>
Eleanor opened her mouth to answer, but a cold voice interrupted from behind. “Her research is indeed valuable, but she doesn’t have time for other labs’ projects p>
lan had appeared out of nowhere, impeccably dressed and utterly unyielding.