Chapter 88

Faye would never stoop to stealing from Eleanor, but she knew that if she told the truth, her parents would inevitably be disappointed in her.

But p>

Growing up, Faye had always been looked down on by the family simply for not being a son. Her father had barely paid her any attention. It had taken years for her to finally prove herself, and she couldn’t bear to let him down now.

“Eleanor, it’s not that I wanted to take what’s yours-it’s just that you gave it to me,” Faye whispered, convincing herself before stepping out the door.

At the dinner table, Roland showered Faye with compliments again and again. Vanessa, wanting to maintain a good relationship with her younger sister, chimed in with her own praise. Mrs. Yeaton was practically beaming with pride; even though she’d never had a son, she wanted everyone to see that her daughter’s accomplishments were every bit as impressive.

“Vanessa, let’s invite Mr. Goodwin out to dinner sometime,” Roland said. “I owe him my thanks p>

“Of course, Dad,” Vanessa replied with a nod.

Roland wasn’t sure how his eldest daughter had gotten to know lan, but he knew she’d managed to win over this business mogul-and who knew, maybe someday he’d be lan’s father-in-law.

That afternoon, Eleanor didn’t pick up her daughter from school; Xavier had texted her to say that lan would handle it.

At four o’clock, the sound of Evelyn’s laughter and Princess’s barking echoed from the front hall.

Eleanor came down from the third floor just as Princess bounded over, tail wagging wildly. Evelyn was grinning from ear to ear.

Eleanor knelt down to look at her daughter, and lan came over. “Evelyn, time to wash your hands p>

“I want Daddy to help me!” Evelyn exclaimed, grabbing his big hand in hers.

After dinner, Eleanor settled in with her daughter to read picture books. When they got to a story about not accepting gifts from strangers, Eleanor watched Evelyn’s expression closely.

“So if Mr. Vaughn gives me a present, can I keep it?” Evelyn asked.

“Normally, you shouldn’t,” Eleanor replied, “but since Mommy will buy a gift to give back to Vivian, that’s just good manners-returning the favor p>

“What about the present Mrs. Shannon gave me?” Evelyn tilted her head, curious. “Evelyn, it’s not good to accept too many gifts from others,” Eleanor said gently. “Is it because she doesn’t have children?” Evelyn asked, her little face scrunched in thought.

Eleanor smiled. “That’s right. She doesn’t have kids of her own, so if you take her gift, Mommy can’t return the gesture p>

Evelyn seemed to understand. “Oh! Then I won’t take any more toys from her.” Eleanor kissed her daughter’s forehead. “You’re such a thoughtful girl p>

They read together until nine o’clock; knowing Evelyn had school the next day, Eleanor helped her brush her teeth and tucked her into bed.

Once under the covers, Evelyn squirmed for a moment, then drifted off to sleep. Eleanor followed soon after.

The next morning, Eleanor walked her daughter downstairs. Ian was already waiting for them.

“Daddy, are you taking me to school today?” Evelyn asked.

“I am! Let’s go,” lan answered.

“Bye, Mommy!” Evelyn waved.

Eleanor could only smile and watch them go.

At nine o’clock, Joel messaged her he’d made a breakthrough in his research and wanted Eleanor to come to the lab.

She parked outside the research building and stepped into the elevator, joining a group of medical students noisily heading up to a third-floor meeting.

“Did you hear? Faye’s giving a lecture today p>

“No way p>

“I’m serious! She’s so accomplished, she could probably skip straight to her PhD.” “She’s a shoo-in for the Nobel Prize, if you ask me p>

“Do you think she and Dr. Kingsley are together? They must be dating, right p>

“That’s the rumor! Dr. Kingsley’s crazy about her. Imagine the genius kids they’d have p>

“They should just lock them up together and let them have a whole bunch!” someone joked, and laughter filled the elevator.

By the tenth floor, Eleanor finally had some peace and quiet. She smiled wryly-

so Faye really was just taking credit for her work, as if it was only natural.

The elevator dinged open. Eleanor made her way to her office, where her

assistant Darcy greeted her excitedly. “Eleanor, you’re here p>

Even though everyone outside credited Faye with the miracle drug, Darcy knew

the truth—that it was Eleanor who’d made it all possible.

“Get the lab ready. I’ll be there in a minute,” Eleanor said.

“Will do!” Darcy hurried out.

Eleanor sat down to print out some data. Just then, someone knocked on the door. She looked up-it was Gwenda.

“Do you need something?” Eleanor asked.

Gwenda closed the door behind her, hesitating a moment before stepping

forward. “Eleanor, do you have any thoughts about the rumors that Faye’s the one who developed the cure p>

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. Was Gwenda genuinely curious, or fishing for someone else?

“Honestly, it’s not like Faye meant to take credit,” Gwenda went on quickly. “After that interview, everyone just assumed it was her, and she didn’t know how to explain. She tried, but how could she convince anyone with just her word? Don’t you think so?” She watched Eleanor closely, searching her face for any reaction.

Eleanor just gave her a faint smile, refusing to answer.

“In the end, the achievement belongs to our lab,” Gwenda continued, pressing on. “We all know it’s your work. What people say outside doesn’t really matter, right p>

Eleanor stood up. “I need to get to the lab. Haven’t you seen the memo about the Marlowe Village project p>

Realizing she’d get nothing more, Gwenda forced a smile. “Right. I should get back to work too p>