After Eleanor and Gwenda left the restroom, Faye lingered behind, leaning against the sink as she bit her red lip. With a bitter laugh, she muttered to herself, “A doctorate? So now she’s Dr. Sutton.”
Nina, standing nearby, tried to comfort her. “Faye, don’t worry. You’ll achieve just as much as she has, maybe even more.”
But Faye’s jealousy and longing couldn’t be put into words. Eleanor’s honor was something she’d dreamed of her whole life.
Now Eleanor had it, and in such a spectacular way, her achievement seemed all the more extraordinary.
When Eleanor returned to her seat, Simone raised her glass. “Let’s toast to Eleanor once more!”
“To Eleanor!” the group echoed in unison.
Faye slipped back to the table as well, looking a little sour but keeping her feelings in check—especially with Simone there. She couldn’t let herself lose composure in front of her mentor.
After lunch, Eleanor carried the bouquet back to her office. As she was saying goodbye to Joel, she glanced down at the flowers in her arms and then back at him. “Did you get these for me?”
Joel looked momentarily surprised, then chuckled and shook his head. “I barely made it here on time—I didn’t get you flowers. I’d bet Professor Langley arranged them.”
Eleanor blinked, wondering if Simone really had ordered them in advance.
“Drive safe, Joel,” she called as he left.
Gwenda walked with Eleanor back to the lab. She hesitated, then asked, “Eleanor, is it true? Are you really leaving?”
Eleanor nodded. “Yeah. Once the new drug trials are finished, I’ll be moving on.”
“Do you know where you’ll go?” Gwenda asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
Eleanor shook her head. “No plans yet.” Dr. Windsor had reached out to her about reopening his lab, but they hadn’t spoken in detail, so nothing was settled.
Back in her office, Eleanor set the bouquet on her desk. She absently brushed a petal with her fingers, thinking that if Simone had sent the flowers, she would have mentioned it at lunch.
While she was lost in thought, Andie knocked and poked her head in. “Ellie, Professor Langley would like to see you in her office.”
Eleanor stood and made her way to Simone’s office, taking a seat across from her. Tentatively, she asked, “Professor Langley, about the flowers earlier—”
Simone smiled and asked in return, “Weren’t they from Joel?”
Eleanor held her breath. Not from Simone, and Joel had denied it too. Then who…?
“Professor Langley, besides Joel, did you tell anyone else about me being awarded the doctorate?” Eleanor pressed, curiosity piqued.
Simone twisted the lid off her tea, thinking for a moment. Suddenly, realization dawned and she cleared her throat. “Eleanor, the university made an official announcement. There are quite a few people in the know by now!”

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