Chapter 399

In the cozy office, Myah overheard every word of the tense talk between Eleanor and Nolan.

She had a vague sense of the online drama stirring up trouble.

Nolan wasn't entirely at fault.

When Eleanor walked in, Myah took her hand with a warm smile, guiding her to the soft couch. "Eleanor,Nolan's a good man," she said gently. "He got tangled up with Elora because he felt bound to look out for her. Think about it: if he could turn his back on someone he considered family, would you feel safe trusting him with your heart?"

Eleanor could follow Myah's reasoning.

Nolan had his duties to carry out.

But love didn't run on clear-cut logic.

It wasn't merely Elora keeping Nolan and her apart.

Their bond didn't reach the heights she dreamed of.

She wanted a love that poured out freely,nothing less. With a small shake of her head, Eleanor stood. 'Myah.I've got some errands to take care of," she said. "I'll stop by soon to see you and the kids."

Myah watched her go, letting out a quiet sigh.

Young folks had to find their own way.

All she could do was observe and hope for their happiness.

As she stepped outside the orphanage, Eleanor's mind swirled like leaves in a breeze, only to be swarmed by reporters popping up out of nowhere.

"Ms. Warren! Was that Fannie Stewart who just left?"one called out.

"Was Mr. Stewart here to pick her up?" another asked.

"Are you sneaking around behind the orphanage's cover?" a third pressed.

A sharp-toned woman thrust a microphone close to Eleanor's face. "Mr. Stewart's fiancée is expecting.How can you slip around like this? What makes you any different from a homewrecker?"

Each question stung sharper than the last.

Eleanor kept her cool, unshaken.

Arguing with them felt like chasing the wind. She pushed through the crowd and slid into the Benton family's car parked nearby.

To the reporters, her calm silence looked like a confession.

Before long, rumors of Enigma and Nolan's secret meetup spread like wildfire online.

The press figured the Stewart family was clamming up.

Nolan wouldn't marry Elora.

Ady sprawled on her plush sofa, trimming her nails with slow precision, her eyes glued to the news on her tablet.

Did Nolan really think he could just wait this mess out?

How foolish.

She had spent too long weaving this careful trap to let him slip away.

She wouldn't just catch him-she would tighten the screws until he cracked.

With that,she called Elora.

"Ady." Elora's voice shook, soft and fragile.

Ady cut straight to it, her words sharp as a whip. "Post on Twitter that the Stewart family's pushing you to get rid of the baby. Play the victim for all it's worth.Say you want to keep the child, walk away with nothing, and sign whatever they ask."

Elora went still,her heart racing like a frightened deer.

How could she do that?

Nolan was already sinking under the weight of public judgment because of her. How could she heap more on him?

Her gut begged her to push back.

"Ady, isn't this too hard on Nolan?" she asked, her voice barely a murmur.

"Hard?" Ady's laugh was cold and biting. "Now you're worried about him? Listen, Elora, you're out of moves and out of choices. If you don't do this, I can't say what your ex might do to you."

Elora closed her eyes, a wave of hopelessness crashing over her.

"I get it, Ady," she responded, her voice empty