Chapter 45
“I leave the investing to someone else,” Eleanor said with a helpless smile.
“He’s got a good eye for it,” Joel remarked.
Eleanor wasn’t surprised. Thinking about how lan had handled business over the years, it all made sense. Ever since he took over the company, he’d been expanding his reach nonstop, practically dominating half the investment world. Goodwin & Co. had a presence in every stable, growing industry. Ruthless, decisive, and sharp as a tack, lan was the textbook definition of a business prodigy.
Not far behind them, Gwenda looped her arm through Faye’s, casting an envious look at Eleanor. “She’s amazing. Wherever Eleanor goes, Joel’s right there with her p>
Faye’s eyes flashed with disdain. “Being his friend is one thing. Being his colleague? That’s another story p>
Gwenda caught her meaning, her voice tinged with worry. “You think Eleanor’s going to slow down our research p>
“I doubt she could even pull off the simplest experiment. I’m curious to see how long she’ll last p>
Just then, Faye’s phone rang. She picked up, her voice brisk. “Hello p>
“Is your lab about to be established p>
“We’ll have the opening ceremony in a few days. Goodwin & Co. holds sixty percent of the shares p>
A chuckle came from the other end. “He’s always had sharp instincts p>
After a brief chat, Faye hung up. Gwenda couldn’t help but tease, “Was that your world-famous pianist sister on the phone p>
Faye replied coolly, “That’s her p>
“Your family must have been blessed by the gods! One’s a piano prodigy, the other’s a future star in medicine. Both so impressive p>
But Faye shrugged it off. She and her half-sister were nothing alike, with entirely different ambitions.
“Does your sister know the CEO of Goodwin & Co p>
“Oh, she knows him all right. He might even end up my brother-in-law.” As Faye entered the dining hall, her eyes landed on Joel.
Gwenda stared at her, surprise turning into a mix of admiration and thinly veiled flattery.
At a nearby table, Eleanor had just sat down with her lunch when Joel took the seat across from her. They picked up their conversation right where they’d left off.
Faye thought about joining them, but her pride wouldn’t let her stoop to asking Eleanor for a seat.
She found herself watching them, wondering what on earth they could be talking about. Why was Joel, the medical genius, so captivated by Eleanor? Surely, he only cared about topics from his own field. Eleanor hadn’t even set foot in the world of medicine-what could she possibly have to say that would interest him? But right then, Eleanor was discussing immunology with Joel. “The technology isn’t there yet, but developing nanobots that mimic immune cells is where things are headed. The idea is they could deliver targeted medication and monitor inflammation in real time. It’s a promising direction p>
Joel gazed at her, hanging on every word. “Ellie, it seems you’re making quite a mark in the lab p>
“Eat your lunch before it gets cold,” Eleanor laughed.
Joel glanced down, realizing he’d forgotten all about his food. He chuckled, “Talking with you makes me lose track of everything else p>
At four o’clock, Eleanor pulled into her daughter’s school parking lot. She was scrolling through emails in her car when a silver Bentley slid into the space next to hers.
She turned her head-and found herself locking eyes with the man in the driver’s seat.
For a moment, she was completely caught off guard.