Chapter 374
Unaware of Nolan's suspicions, Elora stayed locked in her bedroom through the day.
Drawn curtains sealed the windows, shutting out every trace of brightness.
Ady still hadn't called, unsettling her more deeply than any insult could.
Patience had run dry.
Refusing to let Ady dictate everything, she chose to seize control herself.
Dependence on anyone else could no longer continue.
Elora threw wide her door and walked outside.
Spotting a young maid sweeping nearby, she yanked the girl into a shadowed corner.
Elora pulled a bank card from her pocket and pressed it firmly into the maid's hand. "I need something from you,"she said.
The maid's gaze lingered on the card, greed flickering in her eyes. "Please say it, Ms. Guyton," she replied. "I want Nolan's gym timetable."
Surprise flickered across the maid's face, though temptation smothered hesitation quickly. "This-"she muttered.
"200 grand sits inside," Elora said, sweetening the bribe.
The maid's breathing quickened. She bit her lip, then gave a small nod. "Deal."
That night, a folded schedule appeared quietly on Elora's nightstand.
She picked up the paper, pausing at the words "indoor pool."
Nolan swam faithfully every afternoon from three to four.
There would be only one chance.
The following day,water shimmered across the villa's private pool.
Nolan had just finished several laps when footsteps echoed from the doorway.
He paused mid-stroke and glanced behind.
Elora stood by the pool's edge, unease plain beneath her skimpy swimsuit. Nolan." Her attempt at a smile trembled faintly.
"You're here swimming too."
Nolan's brow creased slightly
Without speaking, he cut through the water toward the far side, dismissing her entirely.
His indifference rang loud as silence.
Her smile faltered, nails digging sharply into her palmns.
She eased down the steps, water creeping past her ankles, sliding up her calves, then circling her waist.
Nolan finished another lap and leaned againstthe edge.
Unease tightened his chest as Elora's gaze bore into him.
When he started climbing out, a violent splash erupted behind.
"Help!"
The desperate plea cracked with terror.
Nolan twisted around.
Elora flailed at the center, arms smacking water,sinking little by little. The pool area stood empty.
Servants remained busy at the front during that hour.
Nolan's stare hardened, body still.
Yet as her head dipped under, movements fading,he couldn't ignore her.
Cursing under his breath, he surged across the water toward her.
Reaching him, Elora latched on, clamping her arms around his neck, legs locking around his waist.
Her figure leaned firmly against Nolan's.
His expression darkened like a storm cloud
"Let go!" he barked, shoving at her, but she clung with an iron grip.
Fabric ripped sharply in the struggle.
The flimsy strap of Elora's swimsuit snapped, exposing underwear beneath.
She gasped in apparent shock and jerked him down instinctively.
Caught off guard, Nolan inhaled a mouthful of water.
The pool carried a faint, peculiar scent. Strong swimmer that he was, Nolan regained control swiftly.
He snatched Elora, grabbed the fallen garment,tossed it overher, and hauled her toward the edge.
He tossed Elora upon the ground and dragged himself out.
She coughed, trembling, sprawled pitifully on the ground.
Nolan turned to summon a maid.
But dizziness slammed himn suddenly.
The world spun violently.
Vision blurred, shapes doubling.
Strength drained instantly.
What was unfolding?
That thought flickered before everything went black.
Nolan's tall frame crumpled hard.
Elora slowly raised her head, false panic vanishing.
She crawled closer.
"Forgive me, Nolan. I didn't wish for this either," she whispered.
Thankfully, her swimsuit carried a hidden sedative,diluted just enough in the water to knock him unconscious.
Her expression flattened as she sighed.
She reached for his belt, unfastening it.
Glancing at her own body, she pinched her arm hard,leaving angry red welts.
She stopped once bruises mottled her limbs.
Elora tossed the torn swimsuit into a nearby trash bin.
Then she slid her phone from a folded towel.
Stretching out beside Nolan, she angled carefully.
The flash caught the intimate scene flawlessly.
The photo was sent to Ady immediately.