Chapter 326

At the Benton family's villa, Eleanor's gaze lingered on the wall clock, then drifted to the untouched dinner,and a quiet sigh slipped past her lips.

She and Nolan had planned to enjoy a cozy dinner together tonight.

Yet now, at eight o'clock sharp, Nolan hadn't answered her calls, nor had he walked through the door.

Eleanor figured work had him wrapped around its finger again.

After all, steering such a massive company demanded every ounce of attention and endless juggling.

She tried calling once more, but silence answered,nudging her toward the study.

Just as her fingers released the phone, the screen blinked with an unexpected anonymous message.

The moment she opened it, her breath caught at the scene before her. It was a picture showing a cemetery, Nolan and Elora locked in a tighnt embrace as if the world had shrunk to only them.

A timestamp in the corner marked it an hour old-right when their plates should have been warm.

So Nolan had spent the entire evening with Elora,not sparing a glance at his phone?

A sharp pang twisted in Eleanor's chest, bitter as cold iron.

But she shoved the feeling aside quickly.

If Nolan meant to step back from their bond,she would take it with quiet dignity. Life wasn't over yet.

Sliding her phone into her purse, Eleanor told the maid to toss the food and made her way toward the study.

Work was a safer harbor than the storm of emotions swirling inside.

She called Betsy to hammer out the next quarter's strategy.

But Betsy's usual brisk tone never arrived.

After a tense pause, Betsy murmured, "Boss, I need some time off." Eleanor's brow twitched slightly.

Betsy, the relentless worker, asking for a break?

Something had felt different about Betsy ever since the banquet.

What on earth had happened?

Curiosity pricked at Eleanor, sharp as a thorn.

Naturally, Betsy couldn't spill the whole truth. "It's nothing. I've just been running on empty lately and need to rest."

Eleanor didn't press. Everyone carried secrets tucked under their skin. "Then take care of yourself."

"Thank you,boss."

After the call,Eleanor muted her phone and returned to her sketches, letting her mind float elsewhere.

She already knew how love could sting like a winter chill.

She silently hoped Betsy wouldn't stumble down the same path.

Meanwhile, Betsy, occupying Eleanor's thoughts,walked the store staff through precise instructions,packed her things, and readied herself to leave. She needed a short escape from Ryland.

Once his excitement burned out, he would let her go.

But as Betsy reached the door, Ryland appeared,blocking her exit, a bright smile plastered on his face,red roses clutched in his hands. "Going out?Perfect.Let me drive you home."

Betsy's temples throbbed, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. "I've said it over and over. That was just a fluke. You don't owe me a single thing. Please, stop pestering me!"

Ryland insisted, "But then I'd be a fool!"

Exasperation painted Betsy's expression in vivid strokes. "Just leave me be!"

She brushed past him, moving with the precision of someone determined to vanish.

Ryland followed swiftly. "Besty, wait!"