Chapter 344

While Eleanor threw herself into work, Nolan's days were swallowed by preparations for the upcoming engagement banquet.

For several days straight, he had been at the venue,overseeing every detail.

The long hours left him drained and slightly tense,yet beneath the fatigue was a current of excitement and joy he couldn't hide.

When Brodie walked by, holding the swelling on his face,he saw Nolan looking proud and busy with the engagement banquet.

The sight burned him inside.

Why was Nolan preparing to celebrate, while he himself had been reduced to this pathetic state?

Unable to accept it, Brodie pulled open the car door,ready to confront Nolan and ruin his mood.

But just then, a neat, steady hand stopped him.

He turned and met Ady's sharp, calculating gaze. "Not yet," she murmured. "The happier he looks now, the more humiliating it will be later."

Her words caught Brodie off guard. He blinked at her in confusion. "Mom, what are you planning?"

Ady didn't answer directly. Instead, she smoothed down his messy hair with a mother's gentleness,though her smile remained cryptic. "You'll understand soon enough."

Brodie, ever trusting of her, swallowed back his questions.

If his mother had a plan, it was enough. He shut the door again without protest.

Ady leaned back in her seat with composed elegance and told the driver, "Take us away."

At the hotel entrance, Elora was helping arrange flowers for the decorative wall. As she bent down to adjust a basket, her eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of Ady's car.

Her fingers trembled so badly she nearly let the basket slip from her hands.

Why was Ady here?

Did she mess something up? The thought made Elora's pulse quicken, panic bubbling inside her chest. Nolan noticed her sudden stiffness and followed her gaze. His eyes narrowed in recognition of the car."Why are you so worked up just seeing Ady?" he asked.

Elora jerked her head away, trying to mask her reaction. "I'm not. I just... when I saw her, I thought about those awful days near the end of Reyna's life..."

Her words softened as she spoke until her voice broke into a fragile, choked murmur.

Nolan's suspicion eased. Seeing her on the verge of tears tugged at him, and he brushed aside his earlier question.

He immediately gestured for his driver.

"The setup here is nearly done," he said to Elora gently. "Go home and rest. I'll have the driver take you back."

Elora felt a sharp squeeze in her chest at those words."And you,Nolan?"

Nolan's lips curved into a gentle smile, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Tomorrow's the banquet.I'll go over the schedule one last time before heading home."

Her stomach knotted. What if he used this chance to see Eleanor? If he slipped, Ady's careful plans could unravel. But she had no excuse to linger.

After a pause, she forced a small nod and stepped away.

Once she was gone, Nolan stayed behind at the banquet hall, walking slowly through the venue with careful eyes.

He inspected everything, from the flowers at the entrance to the stage backdrop, down to the small name cards arranged neatly on every table.

Not until he had gone over every detail did he allow himself to breathe easy.

Tomorrow,Eleanor would be here. Tomorrow, she would slip on the ring he had prepared with his own hands.

The very thought of that moment sent waves of excitement rushing through him.

The urge to see her, even if just for a heartbeat, was overwhelming.

Without thinking twice, Nolan left the hall and drove straight toward the Enigma store.

Inside, Eleanor was bent over her desk, sketching new designs.

The bell above the door chimed as it opened, drawing her eyes up. She froze for a second,startled to find Nolan standing there.

Nolan spoke up first. "Eleanor, tomorrow at ten in the morning at the Grand Sterling Hotel. Please come.I have something important to say to you."

His words landed heavily. He was really going through with it. He was going to get engaged to Elora, and he wanted her to watch.

The ache pricked at her heart, but she let it pass quickly.

Masking her feelings, she gave a calm nod. "Alright."

Nolan's chest eased. When Eleanor made a promise,she kept it. That was who she was.

His smile widened, his joy spilling out with every glance.

By tomorrow,she would no longer just be someone in his heart. She would stand before the world as his rightful fiancée.

Buoyed by the thought, he turned and left.

Eleanor,however,remained in place long after he was gone.

She wasn't drowning in sadness. It was more like she had finally accepted that their relationship had reached its end.

Turning to a staff member, she instructed, "I won't be here tomorrow. If anything comes up, listen to Besty's instructions."

Then she grabbed her bag and walked out.