Chapter 375

Erick pulled up at the villa in Regal Heights, clutching the bank transfer records he had tracked down, only to be told Nolan was nowhere inside.

The staff pointed him toward the pool area out back.

As he walked closer, a heavy, unfamiliar scent hit him,making his head spin for a moment.

He pushed through the glass doors-and instantly froze.

Nolan was stretched out on the tiles near the pool,while Elora, dressed only in her underwear, was curled up beside him in a position that left little to the imagination.

Shock widened Erick's eyes.

What had he just walked in on?

Before he could move, Elora stirred, jolting awake.

Her eyes fluttered open, only to widen in terror at the scene around her.

A scream burst out of her as she scrambled upright, wrapping her arms around herself, her whole body shaking.

"No,no,this can't be happening! How did it end up like this?" she cried, her voice dissolving into panicked sobs.

Erick started to say something, but Elora shot to her feet,bolting from the room like she was running from a nightmare.

"I can't show my face here ever again! I just want to disappear!" she yelled, her voice cracking as she vanished down the hallway.

Erick let her go, choosing instead to rush to Nolan's side and drop to a crouch.

"Mr. Stewart! Can you hear me?" He shook Nolan's shoulder, desperate for a response.

A deep frown cut across Nolan's forehead as he let out a low groan, finally opening his eyes.

He pushed himself upright, wincing as a sharp ache pulsed behind his eyes.

Looking down at his rumpled clothes, he struggled to piece things together. "What the hell happened?"

"When I got here, you and Miss Guyton were both out cold on the floor. That's exactly how I found you,"Erick explained without wasting a second. Nolan's expression turned grim.

Flashes of what happened earlier came back to him -the lightheadedness, the odd scent in the air, and how quickly everything had gone fuzzy.

Nolan was sure of one thing: nothing inappropriate had occurred between him and Elora.

"Not a word of this leaves the house. No one finds out what really happened here," Nolan said, his tone glacial.

"Yes, sir," Erick answered without hesitation.

Suddenly, a maid burst through the door, her face drained of all color.

She took in the scene around the pool and nearly staggered,looking seconds from passing out.

"Mr. Stewart, it's urgent! Miss Guyton has locked herself in her room-she says she'll end her life!" the maid blurted, panic in her voice.

Nolan's frown deepened at the news.

He straightened,irritation flickering in his eyes.

Curiosity winning out, Nolan decided he needed to see for himself what Elora was plotting this time.

Without a word, he strode out of the pool area. Erick, momentarily forgetting the transfer report clutched in his hand, rushed after him.

Fannie happened to be coming down the stairs just then, stopping short when she caught sight of Nolan -clothes askew, face clouded with anger, Erick on his heels looking completely frazzled.

What was going on?

She blinked in confusion, then hurried down to intercept them, grabbing Erick by the arm.

"Erick, what's happening? Why does Nolan look like that?" Fannie asked, making it clear she wasn't letting go until she got answers.

Erick gave a quick, uneasy look toward Nolan-already several steps ahead-then leaned in to fill her in on what had happened.

As soon as she heard,Fannie's hand flew to her mouth,all the color draining from her cheeks.

"Miss Stewart, you absolutely can't let Miss Warren find out about this, or things will spiral fast," Erick warned.

Fannie nodded,swallowing hard.

Wasting no time, they both hurried after Nolan. By the time they caught up, a crowd of staff had gathered outside Elora's door.

The lock was still engaged from the inside.

Nolan stood by, unmoved, his expression as unreadable as stone.

Erick and Fannie shared a worried look, both silently wondering if the situation was about to explode.