Chapter 378
Eleanor hadn't crossed paths with Nolan for several days.
Anything that involved the fabric partnership was left entirely in Mike's hands, which worked out perfectly for her since it spared her from unnecessary trouble.
That afternoon,Mike came over carrying a fresh set of fabric samples.
Eleanor ran her hand over them carefully,taking her time to check the texture and colors.
She was very pleased. "These are excellent, Mr. Crisp.Thank you. You've done well," she said with genuine appreciation.
Mike grinned, his easygoing warmth filling the room."It's nothing, really. Just doing my job."
Then,as though something had suddenly come to mind, he added almost offhandedly, "Oh,right.I noticed Mr. Stewart hasn't shown up at the factory lately. I asked a little here and there, and people said there might be some trouble in his family. But no one knew the details." Eleanor's hand paused briefly as she flipped through the samples, but almost immediately she carried on like normal, her face steady and unreadable.
"I see," she replied flatly, as though the news had nothing to do with her at all.
Catching her disinterest, Mike dropped the subject.After a bit more conversation, he excused himself and left.
Not long after, Besty came in with a folder. "Boss,this contract needs Mr. Stewart's personal signature Should I send it over to his assistant?"
Eleanor took the contract and skimmed through it,but Mike's earlier comment replayed in her mind.
What exactly had happened with the Stewarts? Was it something serious?
Her grip on the paper unconsciously tightened.
After a moment of hesitation, her eyes grew firm. "No need. I'll take it over myself."
Besty froze for a second, clearly worried.
If Eleanor visit Nolan's place in person, wouldn't that stir up old wounds?
She was about to protest, but Eleanor gave her no opening. With the contract in hand, she turned and left the office.
Moments later, Maverick came strolling in,holding a fancy cake box and wearing a bright smile.
"Besty, I brought you all some cake," he announced cheerfully, and then he glanced around the office,only to realize the person he wanted to see wasn't there.
"Where's Eleanor?" he asked.
Besty let out a quiet sigh and told him the truth.
The second Maverick heard Eleanor had gone to see Nolan, the smile vanished from his face.
He set the cake box down without another word and left in a hurry.
Meanwhile, Eleanor had already arrived at the villa in Regal Heights and pressed the doorbell.
The servant who opened the door froze in shock at the sight of her.
From inside the villa, a few more servants peeked out cautiously. Their unease was obvious,yet none of them dared to speak.
Eleanor's brows knitted slightly at their strange behavior,though she had no idea what had happened. Choosing not to dwell on it, she stated plainly.1m here to see Nolan."
That seemed to snap the servant out of her daze.With a nervous nod,she invited Eleanor inside.
The living room was quiet, almost uncomfortably so,carrying a heaviness Eleanor couldn't quite place.
She sat on the sofa and waited. After a short while,footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Nolan appeared, dressed in a dark gray lounge set.
His face was pale, and his entire demeanor seemed weighed down and tired.
The moment he saw Eleanor, surprise flickered through his deep-set eyes.
The situation with Elora hadn't been resolved, and of all times, he hadn't imagined Eleanor would show up now.
He felt the shame of everything that had happened pressing against him, something he hoped she would never find out.
Eleanor caught the change in his expression, and it confirmed what Mike had said. Something truly had gone wrong in the Stewart household. Skipping pleasantries, she rose and handed him the file she had brought.
"This is the cooperation contract. Please go through it.If there are no issues, add your signature," she said evenly, her voice stripped of anything personal.
Nolan accepted the document, flipped through it quickly, and signed at the end without hesitation.
Neither spoke beyond what was necessary, yet a quiet tension hummed between them.
At that very moment, a maid came rushing downstairs,panic written all over her face.
"Sir! Something's wrong. Miss Guyton is running a high fever!"
Eleanor had the signed contract in hand and was just about to head out when that name made her pause mid-step.
Hadn't Elora already moved out?