Xavier's gaze flickered for a moment, but it was lan who picked up Eleanor's bottle of water. After unscrewing the cap, he tightened it again before setting it back, just as casually as before.

Eleanor glanced over, her expression calm and detached-she showed no sign of gratitude, and didn't touch the water.

On stage, Byron finished his impassioned speech and paused, emotion coloring his voice. "Tonight, I owe a debt of thanks to someone in this room. She inspired me-one simple conversation with her triggered a flood of ideas, and that's what led to today's breakthrough." His eyes landed on Eleanor. He gestured toward her. "The person I want to thank is Miss Sutton. Our chat last time set my mind in motion. You're the reason for all of this, Miss Sutton. Thank you."

Eleanor acknowledged him with a serene nod and a faint, composed smile.

Applause swept through the room. Once it faded, Byron spoke again, his tone respectful. "Next, I'd like to invite Mr. Goodwin to say a few words."

As lan made his way to the stage, Eleanor quietly slipped from her seat and headed to the restroom.

Serena walked in just as Eleanor was washing her hands. Touching up her lipstick, Serena glanced over and remarked, "You really know how to steal the spotlight, don't you?"

Eleanor, mindful that Serena was her father's sister, replied coolly, "Just doing my job."

Serena shot her a warning look in the mirror. "Let me give you some advice: it's best if you don't set your sights on Xavier."

Eleanor chose to ignore the remark.

Serena paused, lipstick poised in mid-air. She assumed Eleanor's silence meant guilt and pressed on, "No matter how desperate Xavier is, he'd never go for a divorced woman."

Eleanor finished washing her hands and met Serena's eyes in the mirror. "So in your mind, a divorced woman is worthless?"

"Isn't she?" Serena sneered. "It's like a dress-once someone else has worn it, it's dirty."

Eleanor laughed, unable to help herself. "By your logic, knowledge loses value when someone else learns it? Water's no longer clean once fish swim through it? When did a person's worth start depending on whether they've been 'used' before?"

"You" Serena's face went pale with rage.

Eleanor continued, "A dress can be cleaned, but prejudice and narrow- mindedness don't wash out so easily. Using that kind of metaphor to belittle someone just reveals how limited your own thinking is."

"Eleanor, you—" Serena was practically shaking with indignation.

"Miss Goodwin," Eleanor said evenly, "things of real value don't become worthless just because others have touched them. Books grow more meaningful the more hands they pass through. But your attitude, in my eyes, is cheaper than any secondhand dress."

With that, Eleanor turned and walked out.

Serena was left standing there, as if she'd just been slapped. Her complexion shifted from red to white and back again-Eleanor had cut her down with just a few words.

"Damn it." Serena stamped her foot in frustration.

Back in the conference room, Eleanor returned to her seat just as lan finished speaking and stepped down from the stage. The meeting was officially over.

lan had to leave for another engagement. When he saw Eleanor, he hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but she turned away and moved past him, heading toward Byron instead. Glancing at his watch, lan left without another word.

Byron greeted Eleanor warmly, launching into conversation. Joel joined them a moment later. Xavier and his team approached, and Eleanor smiled in greeting as they came over.

Xavier handed her a bottle of water.

Eleanor blinked in surprise but accepted it politely. Only then did Xavier head out. At the door, Serena caught up with the group-she'd pulled every string she could and had finally landed herself a spot as Xavier's personal assistant.