No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 92

Eleanor was thrilled to have won the award. After chatting with Joel a bit more about the situation in Marlowe Village, she hung up the phone.

***

Lab.

Gwenda had always had a talent for collecting gossip, and it just so happened that she'd caught wind of the upcoming June award ceremony held by the National Academy of Sciences.

"Faye, have you heard? The National Academy is announcing their awards soon."

Faye barely looked up. "What's it got to do with us?"

Gwenda leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Aren't you even worried that Eleanor might be on the winners' list?"

Faye's hand, poised with her pen, paused mid-sentence. She glanced up at Gwenda. "Is she?"

Gwenda grinned. "I'd bet on it. She's the one who developed that miracle drug, after all—the results speak for themselves."

Faye, a little agitated, swept her long hair back from her face. "For all we know, maybe she just inherited the formula from her father."

"And get this," Gwenda went on, her eyes glinting, "I heard Joel even took her down to visit the autopsy room. He must really have his eye on Eleanor."

Faye's jealousy flickered in her eyes, and Gwenda caught it, quickly offering consolation. "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll catch Joel's attention too."

Clenching her fist under the table, Faye felt her determination harden—she had to prove herself in the Marlowe Village case. She couldn't let Eleanor steal the spotlight again.

***

Joy shot Eleanor a quick glance, then asked, "Where'd you hear that? Is it true?"

Thalia leaned in. "When Vanessa was eighteen, Ian was already head over heels for her. Everything she has today—her success, her status—it's all thanks to Ian's money and connections."

Joy hadn't expected such an early scoop about Ian and Vanessa's history. She exchanged a look with Eleanor and pressed further, "Are you serious? I thought Vanessa came from a wealthy family herself."

Thalia shook her head. "She's an illegitimate child. When I first met her, she was just an ordinary girl. Then, all of a sudden, she shows up at school in designer clothes, and a Bugatti picks her up after class. Any time there was a chance for a scholarship or a promotion, it went straight to her. Later, we found out one of the top heirs in the country donated a fortune—ten million dollars—to our school just for her. That heir was Ian."

Joy let out a low whistle, glancing sideways at Eleanor.

"She's really got it made. I heard she's headlining a concert tour this spring, owns several design companies, and just bought a mansion in the most exclusive neighborhood. Word is she's worth millions already. Some people really are born lucky, huh?"