Chapter 59
“I’m confident,” Eleanor replied, her eyes lighting up with certainty.
“Good. If you need any help, just let me know p>
As they rounded the corner, Tanner trailed after Faye, trying to keep up with her brisk pace. “Faye, don’t be upset. There’s no way Eleanor could outdo you-l really believe your approach is the best p>
Tanner had been pursuing Faye since college, but her pride had always kept him at arm’s length. Joining the lab this time was just another attempt to get closer to her, to win her over.
Faye stopped and flashed him a quick smile. “Alright, then help me out. This time, I want to show her what real skill looks like p>
Inside the lab, Eleanor pulled on her mask and carefully retrieved samples from the chilled storage, immediately immersing herself in the research. Her assistant, Darcy, stood by, helping wherever needed.
Eleanor moved deftly between instruments, recording each batch of data with practiced ease. Darcy, who had been quietly worrying about his future since joining Eleanor’s team, couldn’t help but be impressed. Watching her work, seeing the accuracy with which she observed and logged the virus samples, he felt a flicker of hope.
By carefully managing her time, Eleanor finished testing all the samples before four o’clock. She turned to Darcy. “Darcy, can you contact the supplier for me? I need ten pounds of sweetgrass with roots attached delivered by ten tomorrow morning p>
“Understood. I’ll call right away p>
Eleanor checked the clock, shrugged off her lab coat, and hung it on the rack. “I’m heading out for the day. You can finish up and leave before five p>
By four-thirty, Eleanor hurried-slightly out of breath-to her daughter’s school. She spotted Xavier sitting with her daughter, Evelyn, and his niece, Vivian. Relief washed over her as she approached. “Thank you, Mr. Vaughn, for keeping Evelyn company p>
“I noticed Serena’s been picking her up the last few days p>
Eleanor smiled. “Yes, but it’s my turn today p>
The two girls played together until five, when it was finally time to leave. Before parting, Eleanor asked Xavier for his phone number, and he handed it over without hesitation.
Back home, Evelyn bounced into the house, grinning from ear to ear. “Mom, can I invite Vivian over to play this Sunday p>
Eleanor considered for a moment, then nodded. “Of course you can p>
“So it’s settled! I’ll invite Vivian this weekend p>
“But first, we need to check if Mr. Vaughn is okay with it,” Eleanor reminded her with a laugh.
“He’ll definitely say yes!” Evelyn declared, brimming with confidence.
Eleanor thought it was a good idea; her daughter’s weekends were getting a bit monotonous, and having a friend over would do her good.
During dinner, lan messaged to say he’d be away on business for a week. Eleanor replied simply, “Got it p>
She had no interest in lan’s company affairs or his travel plans. Whether he was really on a business trip or off somewhere with Vanessa, Eleanor didn’t care.
At eleven that night, Detective Trent sent her a message: “Mrs. Goodwin, your husband just left for the airport. He’s traveling abroad with his lover p>
Four photos followed. Ian was wheeling his suitcase, while Vanessa’s assistant pushed a matching one beside him-clearly prepared for an overseas trip. In the last picture, Vanessa looked up at lan, laughing at something he said, and he smiled back, clearly in good spirits.
The next morning, after dropping Evelyn off at school, Eleanor headed straight to the lab. In the hallway, she caught sight of Faye, who was moving briskly with her own assistant—clearly focused on her experiment.