Chapter 381

Several days slipped by in a blur for Eleanor. Every waking hour was poured into the upcoming menswear line-sketches, fittings, revisions-she left no detail unchecked. The relentless effort paid off.

When the collection finally debuted, it turned out to be a big hit, earning praise from all sides.

At the same time, Jeff had been holding endless talks with the Cohen Group's board. After they ironed out every issue, their cooperation was officially sealed.

By Friday, both families were preparing a grand event,a ceremony meant to celebrate their entry into the domestic market.

But just as plans moved smoothly,the online chatter began to twist into something else.

Whispers spread quickly, and anonymous voices claimed that the Benton and the Cohen families weren't just joining hands in business but also in marriage. According to the rumors, the so-called signing ceremony was really a cover for an engagement announcement.

By the time this gossip reached Nolan, social media was already overflowing with speculation.

The air in his study felt heavy with tension.

Erick stood off to the side, nervous and barely breathing.

On the desk, Nolan's tablet glowed with headlines. His gaze locked on the single word "marriage" that made his blood run hot.

"Take these stories down. Now," he ordered.

Erick bobbed his head in agreement, but his words slipped out cautiously. "Even if we delete them, it might not help. People are saying Mr. Cohen's been buying up flowers from every shop in town, like he's preparing something big."

The lines of Nolan's face hardened, and his fists curled until the veins showed.

Eleanor was his girl. The thought of anyone else staking a claim on her burned through him like fire.

He had originally planned to clear up the mess in his own life before facing her again, to stand in front of her without baggage.

But time was a luxury he no longer had.If he hesitated even a moment longer, she might be taken from him for good.

"We're going too," he said at last.

Erick let out a helpless sigh. "They didn't send us an invitation."

Nolan froze.

The marketing team had double-checked more than once, yet neither the Benton family nor the Cohens had included him on their guest list.

To Nolan, this wasn't just an oversight.

It was a deliberate slight.

A cold scoff escaped him before he pulled out his phone.

Right then, a message flashed on the screen, and it was from Ryland. "I didn't get one either."

Nolan's face gave nothing away as he shut the phone off.

At that moment, the study door creaked open,and Fannie stepped in carrying a plate of neatly cut fruit.

"Nolan, are you going to the signing ceremony on Friday? I'm going with Grandpa," she said brightly.For Nolan,those words lit up a new path.

He reached out, ruffled her hair lightly, and responded in a calm but firm tone, "You're still too young for an event like that. Better if you don't go.

Before she could ask more, he was already striding out of the study.

Fannie stood there with the fruit plate in her hands,frowning in confusion.

Erick gave her a quick, helpless look before following after Nolan with a sigh.

When they reached the Stewart family's estate, things went downhill fast.

The moment they stepped out of the car, Hector was waiting at the gates, looking uncomfortable. "Mr.Stewart,your grandfather knows you came here for Miss Warren,but-"

The rest of his words died away as a booming,angry voice came from the courtyard.

Norwood, leaning heavily on his cane,appeared with a stormy expression. "Send him away! I have no such grandson!" he roared.

However, none of them realized that a servant was quietly watching from the corner, secretly sending Ady detailed updates of everything that was happening.