"I bet it's because she doesn't have the credentials. Who's going to believe someone who never even finished college could develop a breakthrough medicine? If people see her interview, they might not even trust the drug!"

"You're right. Faye definitely presents a better image for our lab."

The two women chatted as they left the room.

A few minutes later, Eleanor stepped out. She entered the elevator and pressed the button for the lab floor. She tried not to let her colleagues' gossip bother her, but it still left a bitter taste.

Turning into the corridor, she spotted Gwenda walking arm-in-arm with Faye. Faye's eyes narrowed at the sight of her, but Eleanor simply nodded in greeting.

"Hi, Eleanor," Gwenda called out with a friendly smile.

As they passed, Faye suddenly stopped and turned, calling after her. "Eleanor, I need to explain. I never meant to take your spot for last night's interview."

Eleanor turned, meeting her gaze.

She said nothing, but Faye could feel the weight of her resentment, and it made her squirm.

"Eleanor, the interview last night was scheduled for two people," Gwenda interjected, trying to smooth things over. "Faye had to step in at the last minute. Don't blame her."

"I'm not blaming her," Eleanor replied coolly.

But Faye bristled. "You say you're fine with it, but that's not what you really think, is it?"

"Faye, I'm sure Eleanor isn't blaming you," Gwenda soothed. "Don't overthink it."

Eleanor offered a faint smile and turned away.

Faye's expression soured even further; she couldn't shake the feeling that Eleanor's smile was mocking her.

"What's so special about her anyway?" Faye grumbled, biting her lip. "She just got lucky."

Gwenda laughed. "Honestly, you looked amazing on camera last night.

Everyone's saying you looked even better than a movie star! And you and Dr. Kingsley made quite the pair."

A faint blush crept across Faye's cheeks. "Who said that?"

"Everyone's talking about it-wondering if you and Dr. Kingsley are secretly dating."

Faye smirked. "That's pure rumor."

"You never know," Gwenda teased. "Sometimes rumors have a way of coming true."

Faye shot her a playful glare, but inside, she secretly enjoyed the thought.

If only it were true, she mused.

Eleanor slipped into her lab coat and entered the cold storage room, retrieving several boxes of newly arrived samples for testing. She focused on the data, methodically recording results. Last night's news replayed in her mind-more and more people in that village were presenting symptoms. It was clearly an outbreak in a localized area. But what had caused it?

At lunch, Eleanor had just sat down when Joel joined her with his tray, fresh from a meeting.

After asking about her daughter, he mentioned last night's interview, regret in his voice. "That should've been your moment. It's a shame you missed it."

Eleanor smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter who did it, as long as the lab is represented."

Joel, however, couldn't help but feel disappointed. He'd hoped it would be Eleanor sitting beside him on camera.

That afternoon, the two of them visited a nearby hospital again. Eleanor noticed that Vanessa had already been discharged.

"The coroner's examining a newly deceased patient tomorrow," Joel told her. "Do you want to come?"

Eleanor considered it-an autopsy might yield new answers. She nodded. "I'll go." "Not scared?" Joel asked, grinning.

"Not with you there," Eleanor replied with a small smile.

Joel chuckled. "Alright. If you get nervous, just let me know."

He glanced toward the cafeteria entrance, then leaned in. "Your husband's here."

Eleanor stiffened, following his gaze. Ian strode through the noisy cafeteria in a sharp black suit, his striking looks and commanding presence impossible to ignore.

She had no desire to see him, especially in front of her colleagues. Grabbing her tray, she murmured to Joel, "I'm leaving."

Joel blinked in surprise as Eleanor, barely having touched her lunch, got up and walked away.

lan watched her retreat, his brows furrowing in annoyance. But it was clear he hadn't come for Eleanor-he headed straight for Joel's table and sat down across from him.