Chapter 357

While Nolan waited in vain, Eleanor had made her way to Nightfall.

On her journey home, Lillian had called, persuading her to drop by for a bit.

The moment Eleanor stepped into the private lounge,she immediately spotted Maverick.

Lillian sprang from the couch and hurried over,looping her arm through Eleanor's. "You sure took your time getting here!"

Without giving Eleanor a chance to protest, Lillian guided her straight to a seat right beside Maverick.

Anyone could see that Lillian was eager to play the matchmaker.

Maverick,however,kept things light, steering clear of any mention of dating.

He gently nudged a colorfu,low-alcohol drink toward Eleanor before unlocking his phone and pulling up a digital sketch. "Eleanor, your menswear collection is incredible. My design professor is obsessed with your work. I've always wondered where you draw your inspiration from.Would you mind sharing your creative process? Oh,and I've been wrestling with a question about silhouette tailoring. Could you offer some advice?"

Maverick skillfully kept the conversation centered on fashion, asking questions that struck just the right balance.

Eleanor welcomed the discussion, enthusiastically answering Maverick's inquiries with clarity and depth.

From her spot at the side, Lillian watched the two of them interact, her chin resting in her hands, a wide,knowing smile spreading across her face.

She became more convinced with every passing minute that Eleanor and Maverick were made for each other.

Eleanor's poised elegance blended perfectly with Maverick's easygoing warmth.

Together, they drew admiring glances wherever they sat.

Compared to Nolan's controlling and older ways,Maverick was a breath of fresh air. Lillian was still lost in her matchmaking fantasies when the private room's door swung wide open.

Who barged in like that? The audacity!

Annoyed, Lillian glanced toward the door to see who it was.

Jonny strode in.

Jonny had come hoping to reconnect with some influential acquaintances,angling for fresh investment to revive his reputation.

Instead,people barely acknowledged him, treating him like he were the plague.

Just as Jonny was about to give up and leave, a sliver of light from the doorway revealed Eleanor sitting inside.

It was Eleanor, chattingwith a younger man.

Without missing a beat, Jonny burst into the room,putting on a wounded act. "Eleanor, seriously? You and Nolan just broke up, and you're already cozying up to someone else? Are you really that desperate for a man? If you're really that eager for company,why choose someone so young? I understand you way more than he ever could!" Lillian's patience snapped in an instant.

She slammed her palm on the table and glared daggers at Jonny. "Who do you think you are,barging in and running your mouth? You don't get to judge Eleanor for anything."

Meanwhile, Maverick, completely unfazed by Jonny's jab, maintained his relaxed, easygoing smile.

With a playful grin, Maverick decided to add, "Sir,you're barking up the wrong tree.Eleanor's got pretty high standards, and she doesn't go for old men like you. Shouldn't you be home by now? Burning the midnight oil at your age isn't great for your health."

Jonny,already fuming,practically shook with anger.

Who did this guy think he was, talking to him like that?

Jonny was absolutely furious!

He refused to let that insult slide!

Feigning outrage, Jonny stormed out, but not before slyly snapping a photo through the crack in the door and sending it straight to Nolan.

Given how possessive Nolan was, he would absolutely blow a fuse.

Even if they had split up, Jonny was sure Nolan would lose it at the sight of Eleanor with another guy.

As far as Jonny was concerned, that young man was in for a world of trouble.

Smirking to himself, Jonny slipped his phone back into his pocket and vanished down the hall.

Meanwhile, inside the lounge, Eleanor, Lillian, and Maverick had no idea what Jonny was up to.

Lillian couldn't help herself, and she flashed Maverick a dramatic thumbs-up. "Maverick, you've got some sass! I like your style."

Eleanor cracked a smile, nodding her agreement.

She had to admit, Maverick's quick comeback had genuinely amused her.

There was something refreshingly honest about him.

Shaking off the awkwardness, the three of them dove right back into their lively conversation, completely losing track of the time.