Gwenda had already shared the news. "Vanessa's here too-she was just chatting with Faye a moment ago!"

Eleanor considered this and wasn't the least bit surprised. If her research truly had the potential to save Vanessa's life, it made perfect sense for her to attend the conference.

"Well, let her come! Today's seminar is open to everyone." Eleanor turned her attention back to the conference agenda.

Gwenda let out an awkward laugh and slipped out of the room.

At exactly ten o'clock, Joel and Eleanor emerged together. Eleanor glanced at the nearly packed auditorium. Joel shot her an encouraging look. "Ready? Time to go up."

Eleanor took the stage. Before she could say a word, the hall erupted in applause. She swept her gaze over the first few rows.

There was Dr. Lyman, Simone, and several other familiar experts. Near lan sat Henry and Vanessa.

As usual, Vanessa looked stunning, whispering something into Henry's ear, while lan gazed intently at Eleanor on stage, poised to listen to every word.

Eleanor pulled her focus back and began her presentation.

She started by outlining the theoretical foundations of her experiment. Her voice rang out clear and confident, perfectly synchronized with the data displayed behind her. The entire report flowed seamlessly, each point building on the last.

A few rows back, Gwenda sat beside Faye. Faye's expression was cold, her mood as dark as expected. She hadn't wanted to come, but Simone had insisted, practically dragging her here to hear Eleanor's talk.

Yet as Eleanor spoke, Faye found it impossible to remain indifferent. With every slide, every argument, she felt a growing sense of shock. The gap between her and Eleanor was widening-fast.

Last time, Eleanor had told her she wasn't even worthy of being her rival.

Now, with her research front and center, Eleanor wasn't provoking her with words -she was doing it with facts, with undeniable achievement.

Faye's hand clenched the back of her chair so tightly her knuckles turned white. As she watched Eleanor shine on stage, a storm of emotion churned inside her- jealousy, frustration, defeat.

And, though she'd never admit it aloud, a trace of awe.

Vanessa's expression was just as complicated. Arms crossed, she stared at Eleanor with a cool detachment.

It wasn't until Henry's elbow brushed against hers by accident that the ice in Vanessa's eyes melted a little, a faint smile flickering at her lips.

Henry hadn't meant anything by it; he offered her an apologetic smile.

Vanessa reached for her water bottle and struggled with the cap. Henry noticed and, without a word, took it and opened it for her with ease.

She accepted it and took a sip.

lan, seated on Henry's other side, watched the stage. There was a glint in his eyes-relief, perhaps, or a sense of something finally falling into place.

This was exactly what he'd hoped for.

Eleanor had done it.

And he'd always known she could.

At that moment, Eleanor wrapped up her talk. "Of course, nothing is guaranteed until we move into clinical trials. But based on our current data, we have every reason to believe this could represent a revolutionary breakthrough in leukemia treatment."

lan's brow furrowed. Maybe it was still too soon to hope.