From today's meeting, Byron had gleaned something he was delighted to see: Eleanor might just become the future Mrs. Goodwin of Meridian Dynamics.
So, wasn't it perfectly normal for the company's patents to be completely open to her?
Eleanor smiled at Byron. "Thank you, VP Chase."
"Don't thank me. You should thank Mr. Goodwin. After all, he was the one who authorized this level of access," Byron said with an awkward laugh, feeling he couldn't take credit for it.
Slightly taken aback, Eleanor turned toward lan and said again, "Thank you."
lan's gaze remained fixed on her face, his expression one of almost indulgent calm. "Your research deserves the best resources."
His words finally clued in the other engineers, and their eyes began to dart between the two.
Eleanor's cheeks grew warm. She avoided lan's overly direct gaze and composed herself. "Thank you for Meridian Dynamics' trust and support. However, my team and I will follow all the proper procedures and pay any required fees according to the rules."
Clearly, Eleanor preferred to keep things professional. She didn't want to owe him such a huge favor, especially since this was her personal research project. An excessive allocation of resources from lan wouldn't be conducive to her team's independent development.
lan's eyes darkened slightly. He understood her meaning and didn't insist. "All right," he nodded. "We'll do it your way."
"Then we'll be on our way," Byron said, leaving with his team.
Diaz Archer finally snapped back to reality. He glanced at the time and said to Eleanor, "Ellie, I have to get back to the lab."
Eleanor nodded at him. "Drive safe."
"Will do." Diaz smiled at lan. "Mr. Goodwin, I'll be going now."
lan gave a faint nod, but his eyes lingered on Diaz's face for a moment. Diaz's smile froze as he felt a sudden wave of pressure. He quickened his pace and hurried out.
Soon, only two people were left in the conference room.
Eleanor looked at the man at the head of the table. "You don't need to make time for meetings like this in the future."
lan's lips curved into a smile. "What? You think I'm disturbing your meeting?"
"I don't want to waste your time," Eleanor said, closing her laptop and casually packing her documents into her bag.
"I've booked a restaurant. Let's go," lan said in a low voice. He had really just come to have lunch with her.
Just as Eleanor was about to pick up her laptop bag, a large hand got to it first.
She paused, trying to take it back, but he wouldn't let her.
Her hand closed on empty air, so she gave up and let him carry it.
The two walked out of the conference room side by side, seemingly unfazed by the sideways glances from employees they passed.
Since Eleanor had driven, lan didn't take his car. He got into hers and entered the address of a nearby restaurant into the navigation.
The restaurant was elegant and private. After they ordered, Eleanor suddenly had something she wanted to discuss with lan.
"Evelyn starts elementary school in September. I've chosen a school for her that's relatively close to the lab," Eleanor said, naming one of the top international private elementary schools in Ashford City.
lan nodded. "Good. I'll look at properties nearby. You two can move out so it's more
convenient for her to get to and from school."
Eleanor had indeed been thinking
about moving. Their current
neighborhood was quite far from the school, and for the sake of her work and her daughter's education, she wanted to shorten the commute.
"I'll check with a real estate agent," Eleanor said, not wanting to trouble him with it.
"The listings for houses and villas in
that area are very tigh
Without
connections, it's hard to get one, stated in a low voice. "I'll handle it."