Chapter 382

Ady was lounging on the sofa, trimming her nails when she got the message.

She gave it a careless glance, then frowned.

She hadn't expected Nolan to still cling so tightly to Eleanor.

Even after Norwood publicly rebuked him, he remained at the door, shaming himself with stubborn devotion.

Whispers about the marriage alliance between the Bentons and the Cohens had also reached her ears.

If that alliance went through, the Bentons would be bound to the Cohens, and Nolan's chances of winning Eleanor back would be slim to none.

She had clawed her way to this point-Colson obeyed her every word, and the Stewart Group's power was nearly in her hands. She couldn't allow all her hard work to crumble now.

Why not strike while the iron was hot and crush any hope of Nolan and Eleanor reconciling?With that thought, she set aside her nail file, picked up her phone, and fired off a quick message to Elora.

The notification chimed just as Elora sat by the window.lost in thought.

She froze the moment she read the short command.

The phone slipped from her hand and landed on the carpet.

Her face drained of color, her body trembling

How could she possibly do this?

She and Nolan had never even been intimate.

If the truth came out, Nolan would never forgive her.

But disobeying Ady would be far worse-she knew better than anyone the cruelty hidden behind Ady's smile.

Tears slid down as Elora shut her eyes in despair.

There was no turning back. She could only step into darkness, praying for a flicker of light.

A sudden knock startled her.

Fannie pushed the door open and walked in.

Elora jumped, scrambling to snatch her phone and shove it under the blanket.

Her panicked movements caught Fannie's eye. "Elora.what are you hiding?"

Without waiting for an answer, Fannie sat beside her.leaning close with a playful whisper. "Let me tell you some gossip. I heard that Grandpa scolded Nolan harshly and even struck him with a cane. But guess what? After all that, Grandpa still handed him the invitation."

Fannie chuckled at the memory, recalling Nolan's look of silly relief. "You should've seen him,Elora.When he came back, he smiled like a carefree child."

But Elora was too weighed down by her own troubles to listen.

She forced a faint smile, eyes lowered. "Is that so?"

Fannie's laughter faded as she noticed Elora's pale face.She reached out, worried. "You're sweating. Are you sick?"

Almost on instinct, Elora touched her lower abdomen,her voice soft. "Lately, I've been feeling nauseous...Like I want to throw up. Maybe I just need rest.A good sleep will help."

Fannie didn't press further, assuming it was nothing more than being shut indoors too long. But when she saw the worry in Fannie's eyes, Elora's heart clenched. She gripped her friend's hand, her voice trembling.

"Fannie... For the signing ceremony on Friday,can l come along with you?"

Fannie hesitated, so Elora quickly added, "I just want to see Eleanor. To apologize face-to-face."

That softened Fannie.

Elora's sincerity might move Eleanor more than Nolan's words ever could.

Moved by the idea, Fannie felt Nolan had been too cruel,locking Elora away.

Elora was frail already, and keeping her confined would only make her worse.

At that thought, Fannie decided she wouldn't listen to Nolan,believing that taking Elora out for some fresh air would be beneficial.

So Fannie made up her mind. She nodded brightly."Of course! We'll go together. Stay close to me, and Nolan won't dare stop you."

Yet Elora felt no relief.

She gazed at Fannie's innocent smile,her chest heavy with guilt

She didn't want to deceive her.

But right now, she had no choice.