No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 298

“We’re here. Thanks for checking in,” Eleanor replied.

Xavier messaged back almost instantly. “Get some rest.”

She was about to put her phone down when another notification flashed across the screen—it was Ian.

“All finished?” he asked.

Eleanor didn’t bother replying. Instead, she got up and rummaged through her bag, pulling out her father’s old brooch. For a moment, she let herself remember how Ian had ended up with it in the first place.

Ian was a collector—he’d gathered pins and badges from some of the most influential figures in the world. Eleanor couldn’t recall how the topic had come up, but on Ian’s birthday, her father had gifted him a brooch commemorating one of his major academic achievements. Ian had been delighted, adding it to his treasured collection.

During the divorce, Eleanor had completely forgotten about that brooch. Otherwise, she would have insisted he return it right then and there.

Now, he’d sent it back as a birthday present—as if to draw a clear line between them, once and for all.

Just then, Eleanor’s phone began to ring. She glanced at the screen—it was Ian calling.

She bit her lip before answering, her tone chilly. “What is it?”

“Is Evelyn around? I just wanted to talk to her for a bit,” Ian’s voice came through.

Eleanor’s grip tightened on the phone as she instinctively glanced toward the bathroom. From inside, she could hear her daughter’s happy shrieks as Joslyn bathed her, the sound of splashing water echoing through the apartment.

“She’s in the bath right now,” Eleanor replied evenly. “If you need to tell her something, I can pass it along.”

There was a pause on the other end. When Ian finally spoke, his voice was low. “Happy birthday.”

Eleanor’s fingers curled a little tighter around the phone. She lowered her gaze, her voice turning even colder. “I got your gift. Thank you for returning it. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

She ended the call, placed the brooch among her most cherished keepsakes, and headed off to take a shower.

The next morning, after dropping Evelyn off at school, Eleanor made her way to the lab. Ever since their recent breakthrough, she and her team had been working nonstop, running experiments to validate their findings.

She slipped into her lab coat, sweeping her hair into a neat bun. Instantly, her focus sharpened.

To help speed up their progress, Simone had assigned two young lab assistants to support her.

When Eleanor arrived, the team was already at their stations, calibrating equipment.

“Eleanor, last night’s data is in,” Zola, her assistant, hurried over with a report in hand.

Eleanor took the report, flipping through the pages with practiced speed. As she scanned the numbers, a faint, involuntary smile touched her lips. The results far exceeded their initial expectations. This new synthesis method had achieved a real, tangible breakthrough.

“Let’s prep for the fourth set of trials,” Eleanor said, setting the report aside. “This time, let’s adjust the catalyst ratio and see if we can push for a more stable threshold.”

The lab snapped into action.

Eleanor took her place at the central workstation, fine-tuning a piece of precision equipment herself.

Outside the glass wall, Simone was standing with someone—Ian. He’d come to Ashford Medical University for a meeting and had stopped by the lab.

It wasn’t the first time Ian had watched her at work. But today, something about Eleanor’s presence was different—every gesture radiated a quiet authority. She’d become a leader in her field.

“Eleanor, could you look at this molecular structure?” A young researcher hesitantly pointed at his monitor.

Eleanor leaned in, a stray lock of hair falling across her face.

“She took care of me for a whole year,” Ian replied softly.

Simone sighed, sensing there was little more to say. She remembered that Ian had given Faye his spot for the doctoral program, and realized any advice would be pointless.

“Professor Langley,” Ian said suddenly. “I need a favor.”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Could you sound Eleanor out? After this trial, see if she’d be willing to move abroad.”

Simone looked surprised. “You want her to leave the country?”

Ian nodded. “I’ve invested in a lab overseas. I’d like her to come do research there.”

Understanding dawned on Simone. She nodded slowly. “Alright, I’ll find a chance to ask her.”

Just then, Ian’s phone rang. He answered quickly. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s me—something’s happened. Vanessa collapsed at home and they’re rushing her to the hospital.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed. He glanced toward the lab, where Eleanor was working, then said, voice tight, “I’ll be right there.”

He turned to Simone. “Professor Langley, please do what you can to get Eleanor’s research to clinical trials as soon as possible.”

“That won’t be easy for her.”

“Then she’ll just have to find a way.” Ian’s words were clipped as he strode away.