Chapter 332

Eleanor was beyond caring at this point.

Her walking away wasn't out of spite or rage.

To her, there was simply no sense in clinging to something that didn't matter.

Eleanor had barely stepped out of the restaurant-hadn't even made it to the curb-when a swarm of reporters descended like vultures.

"Miss Warren, is it true you and Mr. Stewart are finished?"

"Rumor has it you got dumped. Care to confirm?"

"Was this meeting just to iron out the breakup? We need a statement!"

The barrage was relentless.

Eleanor had no choice but to halt in her tracks. "No comment," she said evenly.

She had nothing more to give them.

Explaining herself felt pointless. Her relationship with Nolan would resolve itself eventually.

But to the press, Eleanor's calm silence was the loudest confirmation yet.

"So you are admitting it, Miss Warren?"

"What is it like, being the one left behind?"

...

Just then, the Bentons' chauffeur, stationed close by,caught sight of the frenzy. Alarmed, he shoved his way through. "Step aside, please! Make room!"

Eleanor slipped quickly into the car, wasting no time.

And to the hungry reporters, even that small action was a feast of interpretation.

To them,the story was clear;Eleanor and Nolan were finished.

And Eleanor was heartbroken, too broken to even speak.

Before long, hashtags such as #

EleanorGettingDumped and #

StewartGroupCEOFallingForChildhoodFriend surged to the top of social media, grabbing widespread attention. The online mob buzzed like hornets-some pitied Eleanor, others mocked her.

Jeff and Hilda saw the news headlines.

Jeff paced the living room like a caged lion, fuming."What utter nonsense! Those bottom-feeding reporters have some gall! Dumped? If there is any dumping going on, it's Eleanor dumping Nolan!"

Hilda caught his arm, coaxing him down gently. "Why let it rile you up so much? Didn't you see Eleanor last night? She wasn't the least bit shaken. She is not losing sleep over this."

Eleanor, having just reached the top of the stairs,overheard her parents.

She hurried down with a soft smile. "Dad, Mom is right.Don't let this stress you out."

At once, Hilda's expression softened as she looked at her daughter. "Sweetheart, what would you like for breakfast? Let me fix you something."

Eleanor checked her watch and shook her head lightly."Thanks, Mom, but I've got a packed schedule. I'll grab a bite on the way."

Hilda let it slide with a knowing nod, saying nothing more. But Jeff, convinced his daughter was too heartbroken to even think about food, spoke up hurriedly. "Eleanor,about those rumors online, I'll-"

Before he could finish, Eleanor cut him off with a weary sigh. "Dad, I couldn't care less about Internet gossip, whether it's true or not. I'm fine.I'm heading to work."

With a light, almost carefree step, Eleanor swept out the door, leaving Hilda and Jeff staring after her in bewilderment.

Hilda nudged Jeff with an elbow. "So... Did they break it off or not?"

Jeff didn't hesitate. "Of course they did. And it was Eleanor who called it quits. Otherwise,why would she be this calm? Remember the last time they fought?She was beside herself, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep.This time she is steady as a rock-no tears, no fuss.That tells me she is the one who walked away."

His reasoning landed.

Hilda slowly nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "Then we had better start keeping our eyes open for top-tier bachelors. Someone better than Nolan. That'll shut those trashy reporters up good.Remember that prince from Eltonia? Why not reach out?"

Jeff snorted in disdain. "Not a chance. Their customs allow a man to take multiple wives. I'll never let our daughter get tangled up in that nonsense.We'll keep looking."