Chapter 373

After leaving home, Nolan made no move toward his office.

Instead, he pulled his car over outside a small pharmacy, stepping inside to buy a fresh roll of medical bandage.

Once back behind the wheel,he carefully wrapped his wrist, making sure it looked like a real injury.

After his failed attempts to reconcile with Eleanor,he needed a new angle.

He knew all too well that Eleanor's tough front hid a soft spot-she could never ignore someone else's pain.

About thirty minutes later, Nolan's car rolled up in front of the Enigma boutique.

Pushing open the glass door, he found Eleanor bent over a table with Besty, sifting through a stack of design sketches.

The door chimed, drawing Eleanor's attention. She glanced up,her face instantly hardening when she saw Nolan. Nolan walked right up as if her icy stare didn't even register, placing a file on the table in front of her. The fresh bandage on his wrist stood out in plain sight

"There are a few questions about the fabric I need you to look at directly," Nolan said, voice even.

Eleanor's gaze flickered over his bandaged wrist for a brief moment before she turned away. Her voice was flat. "Do you really have nothing better to do?"

Nolan hesitated for a moment, caught off guard.

She barely looked up before blurting, "You really think this is important enough to show up yourself? Next time, send one of your people."

Every word landed like a blow, leaving no doubt she was unimpressed.

Eleanor didn't even bother glancing at his carefully bandaged wrist, ignoring the whole act altogether.

That realization sent a familiar wave of irritation rolling through Nolan.

Once it became clear his little act was pointless, Nolan let the performance drop,settling into his usual poised composure. "This isn't just some routine contract," he replied, sliding the file across the table. His tone was all business now. "We're about to break into the domestic fabric market. Teaming up with Enigma is the first move. If this partnership works out,the profits could completely reshape what we're capable of."

Nolan's explanation was polished, laying out exactly why Enigma Group mattered and giving a logical reason for showing up himself.

Everything sounded perfect on paper-clear,professional, not a shred of personal attachment.

With nothing to argue, Eleanor glanced over the document, noticing the technical jargon woven throughout.

"I get it," she responded, her voice cool and distant."I've got work to do. If there's nothing else, you know where the door is."

Her tone made it obvious-she wasn't going to budge.

Seeing there was no room for discussion, Nolan simply nodded and headed for the exit.

Right as he reached the door, Maverick appeared,walking in.

For a moment, neither of them looked away, and tension rippled through the air.

Maverick's easy grin faltered just a bit, while Nolan's stare sharpened,his presence suddenly threatening Nolan paused, dropping his voice to a quiet warning."You'd be smart to remember. Mr. Cohen-some things just aren't meant for you."

Maverick,unfazed by Nolan's icy warning, let a sly grin tug at his lips. "Mr. Stewart, you had your shot and blew it. There's nothing wrong with me stepping up to see if she'll give me a chance. Love's never been against the rules,right?"

Without waiting for a reply, he brushed past Nolan and strode confidently into the store.

Nolan stayed rooted in place, eyes locked on Maverick's retreating figure, fists curling tight at his sides.

Once he slid into the backseat of his car, a stormy look still clouded his features.

From the driver's seat, Erick peeked at him in the rearview mirror and asked, careful not to push too far,"Mr. Stewart, should I have the Cohen family put under pressure?"

Nolan let his eyes fall shut for a moment, then opened them with a calm that looked freshly pasted on. He answered, "Let it go. This is an even playing field. And in the end, Eleanor's going to pick me."

There was no doubt in his mind that Maverick never stood a chance. Erick, hearing his boss's confidence, suddenly remembered something he had read online. "Younger guys always have more stamnina."

The thought startled him so much, he snapped his eyes forward, lips clamped shut, refusing to say another word.

He started the engine,silent as ever.