Chapter 355
Eleanor stepped through her front door and shook off the mood that Serena had left her in. After a hot shower, she settled at her desk and opened her laptop to check her emails. She kept two separate inboxes: one for lab work, the other for company matters. Every week, Ellington sent her a comprehensive summary of everything going on at the company.
When Eleanor first inherited the business, she hadn’t had a clue how the corporate world worked. But Ellington’s reports were always painstakingly detailed, breaking down the basics so she could gradually learn how to read those complicated spreadsheets. Over time, she’d become fluent in the language of profit and loss.
By the time she finished reviewing everything, it was already half past eleven. With her daughter away for the night, Eleanor needed something to help her drift off. She put on a recorded lecture by a renowned university professor-one of those sleep playlists she’d bought online-and let his measured voice lull her toward sleep.
The next morning, Eleanor arrived at the lab just as Simone Langley came looking for her. “The Royal College of Medical Sciences wants you to give a talk this Saturday afternoon,” Simone announced.
“They originally invited Dr. Lyman, but he’s traveling abroad for a conference. The college considered canceling, but then the dean personally called to ask if you were available p>
Eleanor blinked in surprise.
Simone grinned. “See? The dean himself reached out for you p>
Eleanor smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ll start preparing p>
“Excellent. I know you’re more than ready to take the lead. I’ll send Gwenda along to assist you p>
Eleanor nodded again. Getting invited to speak was a real honor.
On Friday, Eleanor spent her afternoon at the Vesper Joy Hotel for a meeting. During the break, Ellington mentioned they’d need to hold a board meeting the following Monday to discuss the next quarter.
Eleanor agreed. She’d been running the company for six months now, and this would be her first time chairing a board meeting.
Saturday afternoon, Gina Quinn knocked on Eleanor’s door. She’d heard about Eleanor’s upcoming lecture in Luminova City and offered to look after Evelyn for the weekend.
Eleanor guessed Simone must have called lan and mentioned her lecture plans. But with Gina already at the door and Evelyn lighting up at the sight of her grandmother, there was no point in protesting.
“Mom, go do your work! I’ll be good at Grandma’s,” Evelyn assured her.
Eleanor smiled and brushed a hand through her daughter’s hair. “I’ll pick you up as soon as I’m back p>
Early the next morning, Eleanor and Gwenda caught a flight to Luminova City.
By Saturday afternoon, the lecture hall at the Royal College of Medical Sciences was packed to capacity. Eleanor wore a simple beige suit, her long hair swept back in a neat ponytail, the very picture of poised professionalism.
She stood at the podium, adjusting her slides, while a low buzz of conversation rippled through the audience.
“Is that Eleanor? She’s even more stunning than in the photos p>
“That’s lan’s ex-wife? I had no idea she was so accomplished p>
Eleanor adjusted the microphone and scanned the room, her calm smile immediately commanding everyone’s attention.
“Good afternoon, professors and students,” she began, her voice warm and clear. The crowd quieted instantly. “Today, I’d like to share with you some new breakthroughs in neuroplasticity and their implications for the treatment of disease p>
She clicked to the first slide a dense diagram of neural pathways—but her explanation was crisp and accessible, even to those outside her field.
Her pace was steady but persuasive, each point backed by data from her own research. Soon, even the most distracted students were paying attention, some scribbling notes at top speed, others snapping photos of her slides on their phones.
Nearly two hours later, Eleanor finally wrapped up. She offered an apologetic smile for running over time-she’d planned for ninety minutes, but her passion for the subject had made her lose track.