“Eleanor, have you thought this through? This project requires total isolation. Once you head off, you won’t be able to see your family.”
Jonathan Hensley’s words pulled me back from my thoughts. My eyes were still damp.
A lot had happened at home these past few days—nothing everyone at the institute didn’t know about. I, Eleanor Shaw, was a fraud.
“I know this incident has hit you hard, but you shouldn’t act rashly. This concerns your life.”
Noticing the sorrow in my eyes, the director of the institute clasped his hands behind his back. His expression was heavy with concern.
“Please rest assured, Dr. Hensley. I’m not acting on impulse. The only reason I didn’t accept this immediately was my family—I couldn’t bear leaving them. But now, given how things have turned out, leaving would be the right decision.”
I steadied myself, wiping away a tear I hid from Jonathan.
I was truly heartbroken, but at the same time, I felt a sense of relief.
It was as though I had always known this would be my final decision.
Rather than causing everyone unhappiness, it was better to step aside early and make room for the replacement.
“Alright, I trust you. Take care of yourself. Departure is in half a month.”
Jonathan didn’t press further. Instead, he gently patted my shoulder. He knew I needed comfort but couldn’t find the right words. Hence, he could only let his actions show that he was always on my side.
“Thank you.”
I nodded at him and walked out. People in the research institute all turned to look at me.
Since my identity was exposed, my colleagues had been especially sympathetic.
In their eyes, everything I had achieved was the result of my own hard work. However, my brother, Jeffrey Shaw, had publicly declared on the company’s website that all my achievements were thanks to the Shaw family’s name. As such, I had no right to blame them, nor did I deserve any sympathy.
