Chapter 351

When Nolan walked back into the villa in Regal Heights, he appeared drained, a hollow shadow with no spark left inside him.

Soft lamplight filled the living room with a faint glow.

Elora,wrapped in loose loungewear,rushed from the couch,hurrying toward him. "Nolan, you're back? How did it go? Did Eleanor take things the wrong way?"

Nolan brushed past her without a glance,dragging his weary body upstairs, every step heavy.

Eleanor's chilling detachment replayed endlessly through his thoughts.

Calm.

She demanded calm.

But how could calm possibly exist within him now?

A door slammed above with a sharp bang.

Elora's anxious mask slipped instantly.

She moved into a quiet corner, pulled out her phone,

and tapped out a quick message to Ady.

"Nolan and Eleanor must've have had a big fight.He just came back, looking terrible."

Her phone buzzed with a reply seconds later.

Ady's words cut like a blade.

"Good. Push while the wound is fresh. Make sure they end for good."

Elora stared at the message, though Nolan's broken expression lingered in her mind.

For a heartbeat, guilt stirred.

After all, Nolan had always treated her with care.

But the feeling dissolved quickly.

Her thoughts shifted to her ex, the man who had mistreated her and crushed her dignity.

Never again.

She swore never to return to that misery.

Her teeth pressed hard against her lip as she typed a single word.

"Okay." Before any further scheming could take shape, the villa door burst open.

Norwood,leaning against Hector's arm and driving his cane into the floor, entered with fury burning across his face.

Several bodyguards filed in behind him, their presence spelling confrontation.

Startled, Elora shoved her phone away and darted forward. "Norwood? Why are you here at this hour?"

Norwood let out a harsh snort, ignoring her completely, his sharp gaze sweeping the space."Where's Nolan?"

"He's upstairs resting."

Norwood barked at the maid nearby. "Go bring him down immediately!"

With that, he flung a photo onto the coffee table before Elora."Explain this!"

The photo was the one plastered across the news.

Nolan stood in the center, while Elora, wearing a flawless white strapless gown,leaned close beside him.

Her complexion drained of color instantly. "Norwood, "Don't call me that!" Norwood cut in, his cane pounding the floor. "Standing arm-in-arm with Nolan before the entire crowd. What were you plotting?"

His accusations sliced straight through her.

Elora trembled,eyes flooding with tears.

Hearing the uproar, Nolan descended, his expression dark. "Grandpa,why are you here?"

Norwood's fury only deepened at the sight of him,and he ignored the question entirely.

Seizing the moment, Elora darted behind Nolan, her voice quivering. "Nolan, I didn't mean it. I never thought anyone would mistake me for your fiancée."

She lifted tear-filled eyes to him,her sobs pitiful."Nolan, perhaps you should hold a press conference to explain everything. Even if... even if my ex learns about it, that's fine, as long as Eleanor doesn't feel hurt."

Nolan's temples pounded.

Eleanor trusted him.

The rift between them had nothing to do with that photograph or the ridiculous engagement gathering.

It was the endless string of events weighing Eleanor down.

She was exhausted.

A press conference now would only anger her further.

All Nolan could do was stay patient, give her space,then win her heart back.

Nothing else mattered.

He pressed his fingers against his brow, his voice hoarse. "There's no need. Drop it, and never bring it up again."

He finally faced Norwood. "Grandpa, I'll deal with this."

Norwood's chest heaved at the stubbornness before him.

Deal with it?

This was nothing but shielding Elora.

What a foolish boy.

Disappointment flooded Norwood's eyes as his cane struck the ground with force. "Fine! Fine! Let's see how you manage this mess!"

Without another glance at the grandson who let him down,he stormed out. Such a waste to lose a granddaughter-in-law who could have brought pride.