Chapter 364

Eleanor had just looked away from Vickie when a familiar voice pulled her back.

"The summit's starting," Maverick reminded her.

She gave him a small nod and let him lead her toward the banquet hall.

The host was already on stage, radiating energy as he welcomed the crowd. "I hope each of you secures the deals you're aiming for and walks away without any regrets!"

The moment he wrapped up, a group of guests holding wine glasses hurried straight toward Eleanor.

A round-bellied mnan whose sharp eyes missed nothing addressed her. "Ms. Warren, such a pleasure. We've admired Enigma for years. Would you ever consider branching into menswear,maybe with a partner like us?"

It was an obvious opportunity. Enigma ruled women's fashion, and a men's line could open doors to staggering profits.

But Eleanor's smile stayed cool, her tone gentle yet firm. "We've no plans to collaborate currently," she replied.

Enigma was her creation, built from the ground up with standards only her team could uphold. She wasn't about to compromise that.

Noticing the disappointment on their faces, she offered a softer landing. "My family is looking at domestic investments again. If you've got something solid, I'd be glad to make the introduction."

That got their attention.

The Bentons had been power players in Breoqua for years,their influence rivaling the Stewarts'.

Compared to that scale, these small ventures were barely crumbs.

The men exchanged uneasy looks, realizing they were out of their depth. After a round of polite goodbyes,they slipped away to chase easier prey.

Maverick,who had been quietly observing, leaned closer with a grin. "In that case, why not join forces with us? Imagine our families working together to take on the market. That would be a real show of strength!”

Eleanor chuckled softly but brushed his suggestion aside.

He was still young, just turning eighteen, and nowhere near the decision-making core of his family. Before he could press her furter, the host's booming voice cut through the hall again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have breaking news! The Stewart Group's very own Mr. Stewart has an important announcement. Please welcome him!"

Every head turned at once.

Nolan walked up confidently, his sharp black suit highlighting his strong presence.

He picked up the microphone, his intense eyes scanning the room before finally settling on Eleanor.

"We're hoping to enter a strategic partnership with the Benton family," he declared. "To show our sincerity,we'll be granting a fifty percent concession on every joint venture."

A ripple of disbelief shot through the audience.

Half the profits?

It was unthinkable.

Generosity like that bordered on madness. And yet,with the Stewarts behind them, the Bentons' return to the domestic scene would be nothing short of unstoppable.

Eleanor knew this as well as anyone. Her eyes stayed on the man at the podium,her thoughts spinning.

When Nolan stepped down and threaded his way toward her, she didn't retreat.

This time, she waited, composed and unflinching."Why?" she asked quietly once he was in front of her.

Nolan's expression revealed nothing. His voice was smooth and professional, every word perfectly measured. "The market here is too vast for one family to dominate. An alliance ensures mutual gain."

The explanation was seamless,too seamless.

Yet Eleanor wvasn't fooled. She could see Nolan's true intent. This wasn't just about business; he was trying to use the deal as a way to slip back into her life.

Even so, there was no denying the brilliance of the move.

The Bentons needed a strong local partner to reestablish themselves quicky, and no one fit that role better than the Stewarts.

Without missing a beat, Eleanor reached out her hand."Here's to a successful partnership," she said.

"Likewise," Nolan answered, his hand closing around hers. Finally, he had found a new connection to Eleanor,one she couldn't turn away from.

Slowly but surely, he would find his way back into her life.

Nolan swallowed down the rush of satisfaction rising inside him and was just about to invite her to dinner under the pretense of business talk when another voice slid into the moment.

"Mr. Stewart, we're preparing our own return.Perhaps you'd spare us a discussion as well?"

Maverick's interruption sliced through the charged air.

Nolan's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing just slightly before he inclined his head in agreement.

With Maverick shadowing them, Nolan found no chance to pull Eleanor aside again.

By the time the summit wrapped up, Eleanor had fallen back into step with David, heading toward the exit.

At the convention center doors, she paused.

Across the drive, Donald hovered over Vickie, and bent close to murmur something to her.

Jonny followed at their heels, his grin wide and sycophantic.

Mother and son, so alike it was almost unbearable.

Eleanor's gaze slid away, her expression unreadable.

Without a word, she slipped into David's car and left the scene behind.