Chapter 401

Eleanor caught the headlines the next morning.

The news was brutal, every title dripping with mockery,while the comment sections were a feeding frenzy,people despising Nolan.

She didn't say a word; she just sat there in silence,eyes fixed on the screen.

In the photo, Nolan looked nothing like the man she remembered-the ever-composed Stewart Group CEO. Now,he seemed stripped of his armor, exposed to the world.

Myah's words lingered in her mind, but the chaos splashed across the screen was proof enough.

Suddenly, Lillian bourst in, catching sight of what Eleanor was reading.

She leaned over with a sly smirk. "Well, well...checking out our glorious CEO, are we? Don't tell me you're actually feeling sorry for him."

Eleanor clicked the tablet off and set it aside, her expression unreadable. "No," she replied evenly, her voice cool and detached. After a pause, she added, almost to herself, "I just think Nolan's situation... it's a little pathetic,really."

After all, being set up, toppled from grace, and turned into the internet's favorite punchline was no small punishment.

She knew the sting of public scorn, maybe not this severe, but enough to empathize.

"Pathetic? Please. He dug his own grave," Lillian scoffed, plopping down beside her. "Couldn't see through Elora's act and got played like a fiddle. Serves him right."

"But." Lillian's voice softened, taking on a different edge. "Ryland says they've started digging into Ady.Turns out she was behind a lot of shady stunts-dirty tricks, all of them. But nothing on the baby yet. Ady covered her tracks way too well."

Lillian gave her hair a rough tousle, clearly at her wits 'end.

Ady's ironclad schemes left barely a crack, making it nearly impossible to pin her down for anything involving the baby.

Eleanor didn't flinch, her disinterest plain.

She stood, smoothing the fabric of her blouse. "Forget it. Let's go to the store. This quarter's dividends just cleared. I'll have finance wire your cut."

The moment money was mentioned, Lillian's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Perfect!" she chirped,dropping the Nolan-Ady drama in an instant as she trailed eagerly after Eleanor.

In the car, Lillian was glued to her phone, giggling at the comments flooding Enigma's official account.Fans were losing their minds over the new menswear collection-pieces flying off the shelves faster than they could restock.

"Eleanor, you're brilliant! The sales are insane-styles selling out the second they launch!"

She grabbed Eleanor's arm, shaking it with excitement.

"So, what's next? Gonna ride the wave and roll out more menswear?"

Eleanor's gaze stayed on the city blurring past the window, her expression calm, almost thoughtful.

"I'm planning to merge the men's and women's lines,"she replied at last, revealing the idea she had been nurturing for some time. "Matching couple outfits are too narrow. I want to push into something broader-genderless, unisex collections. A style for anyone, no labels attached." Fashion was a constantly shifting tide, never still for long.

Eleanor hoped her creations would empower the wearer, clothing that complemented a person's essence rather than dictating it.

Lillian's eyes widened in amazement as she listened.

A moment later, she snapped back to herself,clapping her thigh with a burst of excitement. "Brilliant!Genderless fashion! What an incredible concept!"

She was genuinely impressed by Eleanor's sharp business instinct and refined sense of style-qualities rarely found together.

"I always thought dividing clothes by gender felt far too restrictive! A great design should flatter anyone who wears it!" Lillian's enthusiasm grew with every word. "Eleanor, you were born for fashion!"

Eleanor laughed softly at Lillian's animated response.

Compared to the tangled web of love and resentment in high society, she far preferred this-holding the reins of her own life.

As for Nolan... his battlefield was his own, while hers was here.They could part ways without regret. Deep down, she trusted Nolan had the strength to face his challenges.