The words tore from her, sharp and bitter. She was furious. How dare this man play God while leaving her completely in the dark? Her chest heaved, and her eyes burned with unshed tears. She gripped the phone so tightly it felt like a weapon; if lan were standing in front of her, she would have plunged it into his heart.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong," he said immediately, his voice filled with sincere apology. "It was wrong of me to hide my mother's condition. I thought I could control it, that I could spare you all the worry. I know I was a bastard, and I hurt you. I know no amount of apologies can-"

"Don't give me that!" Eleanor cut him off, her voice sharp with frustration. "Is Dr. Smith's team coming back with you?"

"Yes. A few years ago, I received approval to build a private laboratory. They'll continue their research there, and the facility will become fully operational. Eleanor, I need your help."

She wanted to scream at him, to list every one of his transgressions, but she knew that yelling, hitting, or even killing him would solve nothing.

"Fine," she said, running a hand through her hair. "I'll wait for Dr. Smith to arrive." Suddenly, she felt dizzy and reached for the desk to steady herself, but instead sent a stack of files scattering to the floor, along with her coffee cup, which shattered on impact.

The crash echoed over the phone line. "Eleanor, what happened? Are you okay?" lan asked, his voice sharp with alarm.

Eleanor stared at the mess on the floor, her chest still rising and falling with

ragged breaths. She blamed him for all of it. "I hate you, lan," she said, her voice cold as ice.

"I know," he replied, accepting her anger without defense. "Are you hurt? Did you stay up all night?"

"I don't need your concern," she snapped.

"I'm sorry."

Again, no arguments, only apologies. His passive acceptance was infuriating, like punching a pillow. Her anger had nowhere to land.. Finally, she took a deep breath, her

forcing down the store

personal feelings. This wasnt the time to settle old scores. Her daughter's future was at stake, and she needed solutions.

As for lan building a lab without her knowledge-it was just another secret. But she would accept his proposal. She would work with Smith, because her daughters

health came first.

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A knock came at the door. "Ma'am?" It was Joslyn. "Did a cup break? Do you need me to come in and clean up?"

Eleanor composed herself and opened the door. "There's coffee on the floor. Could you please take care of it?" she asked, turning to pick up the scattered files.

Evelyn peeked into the room. "Mommy, can I help?"

The sight of her daughter's innocent smile was a balm to her frayed nerves. All

her anger and fear melted away. "Of course, sweetie. Come on in."

As she and Evelyn tidied the room together, Eleanor's resolve

hardened. As soon as Smith's team arrived, her daughter would undergo the most comprehensive genetic screening possible.