Eleanor hadn't expected that, after she left, it would be Faye who stepped in to take her place during the interview.
After watching the entire segment, she headed outside to the backyard, joining the kids for a game of catch.
That evening, Eleanor invited Vivian to stay for dinner. At half past eight, Xavier arrived to pick up his daughter, gift bag in hand. The two little ones parted happily after exchanging hugs.
Later, Eleanor gave her daughter a bath and told her a bedtime story. Before it was even ten o'clock, Evelyn was already fast asleep, and Eleanor, exhausted, closed her eyes and drifted off as well.
At the hospital, Vanessa was on the phone with Faye, her voice warm and congratulatory. "Faye, I just watched your interview! So, the new miracle drug is actually from your lab? That's incredible."
On the other end, Faye replied modestly, "It's not my achievement—it's all thanks to Dr. Kingsley."
"I was just about to say," Vanessa continued, "Dr. Kingsley seems like a really great guy. You should seize the opportunity."
Faye didn't deny her feelings. "He really is an exceptional person."
Vanessa's thoughts wandered to Eleanor-she remembered how well Joel and Eleanor had hit it off abroad. She teased, "You know what they say when a woman pursues a man, it's as easy as lifting a veil. You've got the looks and the talent. I'm sure you'll win him over."
She figured, with a man that outstanding, better for her own sister to win his heart than let Eleanor get the chance.
"Oh, and I heard lan still isn't divorced. Don't get yourself tangled up. Don't bring trouble to our family."
"Don't worry. I won't." Vanessa's confidence rang through her laughter.
After hanging up, Vanessa dialed lan's number.
"Hello?" lan answered.
"lan, you've been working hard these days. Try to get some rest."
"Alright."
"Don't worry about me. I'm doing much better now."
"Good."
Vanessa's voice softened into a gentle smile. "Did you see the news? Turns out the new miracle drug was developed in my sister's lab."
"I saw it."
Vanessa let out a sigh of relief. "Remember, I was the one who told you about that lab project in the first place? I was worried I'd recommended the wrong thing."
"I'm driving right now. We'll talk later."
"Drive safe," she said tenderly before lan ended the call.
Vanessa's mind drifted back to the day her father had entrusted her to deliver the lab's proposal to lan's company. She'd thought lan would pass on the project, but to her surprise, not only was he interested-he'd invested three billion dollars on the spot. As for her father, who'd been bogged down with lawsuits, he quickly became the lab's top equipment supplier.
The next morning, Eleanor took her daughter to school. The teacher hurried over as soon as they arrived, updating her about Goldie—the boy had withdrawn from school.
Eleanor smiled. "Thank you for keeping an eye on Evelyn.'
"Don't worry, Mrs. Goodwin. We'll make sure nothing like that happens again." The teacher had learned firsthand not to underestimate the Goodwin family's influence.
Afterward, Eleanor drove to the research building. As soon as she stepped into the lobby, she headed for the restroom. While she was in one of the stalls, she overheard two women chatting as they entered.
"Faye looked amazing on camera last night. She could be a movie star with that face-so pretty and poised. She really made our lab proud."
"She and Dr. Kingsley look great together, don't they? Like a perfect couple. Do you think something's going on between them?"
"I heard it was Eleanor who actually developed the new drug. So why was Faye the one in the interview?"