After tidying up, Faye bit her red lips, murmuring, “Eleanor, just once in this life—I have to beat you.”
Eleanor wasn’t irreplaceable in the lab.
There was still her.
Later that day, Simone heard from her assistant, Andie, that Ian had stopped by. She could guess he’d come to talk to Eleanor, probably to persuade her to stay. Simone genuinely hoped Eleanor would remain. Setting aside any personal grievances, this place was the best possible base for research, and the support Ian could offer Eleanor was second to none, even by the highest national standards.
This time, the independent PI funding had no cap. If Eleanor wanted it, Ian would move mountains for her.
If Eleanor really left, it would be a terrible loss.
At two thirty in the afternoon, Faye returned to her office at the research center. A flash of determination crossed her face as she straightened her shoulders and knocked on Simone’s door.
“Come in.”
“Professor Langley, I’m back.” Faye pushed open the door. Simone had always been her mentor, and Faye was undoubtedly her star student.
Simone looked up in surprise. “Faye, you’re back already? The Meridian Dynamics project is finished?”
“Yes, we’re nearly at the end. Joel is taking over for the final phase.” Faye set a folder down on the desk. “This is my research report from Meridian Dynamics, Professor Langley. Please have a look when you have time.”
Simone reached for it immediately, flipping through the pages and nodding in approval. “Excellent work.”
“But—” Faye blurted out, cutting Simone off. “I’m perfectly qualified! I have experience in genomic sequencing too.”
“Faye.” This time, it was Simone who interrupted, her tone grave. “You are talented, but Ian is looking for groundbreaking results.”
Even if Simone didn’t finish the thought, Faye understood. Only Eleanor could deliver that.
Her nails dug into her palm as she struggled to mask her frustration. “So if Eleanor leaves, the whole project just disappears? Professor Langley, can you really watch the lab lose such an incredible research opportunity?”
Simone sighed deeply. “That’s exactly why I’ve been trying so hard to persuade Eleanor to stay.”

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