Chapter 409

As he stepped out of the hospital, Nolan made a beeline for the Enigma store, his heart racing with anticipation.

The entire journey, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about what to say to Eleanor when they finally met.

Should he offer a heartfelt apology?

Lay bare his explanations?

Or simply beg for her to return to his side?

He rehearsed a dozen lines in his head, each one polished to perfection.

Yet, the moment Eleanor's familiar silhouette came into view, every carefully crafted word vanished,leaving Nolan's mind as empty as a blank canvas.

Eleanor was engrossed in her work, deftly arranging clothes on the rack.

She smoothed a freshly pressed shirt into place before turning to him, her expression calm and unruffled. "Can I help you, Nolan?" Her words struck Nolan like a dagger to the heart,sharp and cold.

His voice rough with emotion, he managed to speak."I just wanted you to know-I've sent Elora away. She is gone for good, out of the country."

Eleanor paused for a fleeting moment, her hands stilling, then resumed her task with the same effortless grace.

"I see," she replied lightly. "Anything else?"

"No,that is all."

What more could he say?

His longing to see her had driven him to the edge of reason,yet words failed him now.

The air between them grew heavy, thick with unspoken tension.

Two souls, once so intertwined, now stood as strangers bound by familiarity.

Nolan's gaze lingered on Eleanor's face, the one he had once caressed with tender kisses. The urge to sweep her into his arms, to hold her close and never let go, surged within him, almost overpowering.

But he held back. He had already caused her enough pain, and the last thing he wanted was tostartle her again.

Swallowing his turmoil, Nolan adopted a casual tone."Actually, there is one more thing-something you might find interesting."

Eleanor said nothing, merely lifting her gaze to meet his,her eyes steady and unreadable.

She gestured toward the sofa, inviting Nolan to sit,and poured him a glass of water with a quiet grace."Go on."

Nolan slipped back into his composed facade,as if he wasn't the one teetering on the brink of desperation moments ago.

"One of my team members mentioned a shipment of denim fabric that just arrived from overseas-a rare,deep blue shade. He asked if you would need it for your designs. If you're interested, he'll set it aside for you. The overseas factory has shut down, so once this batch is gone, it's gone until our own factory can replicate it."

His tone was all business, stripped of personal sentiment, but Eleanor saw through it. This was his subtle way of drawing her closer.

She knew his game. Nolan always had a knack for making offers she couldn't refuse, and this was no exception.

Unique,high-quality fabric was her Achilles' heel,and this deep blue denim was exactly what her next season's collection demanded.

Despite recognizing the trap, Eleanor stepped into it willingly. "Thank you for letting me know," she responded with a nod. "Please reserve it for me."

Relief flickered in Nolan's eyes, though he masked it well. "When would you like to visit the factory to see it for yourself?"

After a brief pause, Eleanor replied, "The day after tomorrow, in the morning."

Nolan curbed the excitement bubbling within him,rising to his feet with measured politeness. "Then I won't keep you any longer," he said, and with that, he turned to leave, resisting the urge to linger.

Eleanor watched his retreating figure, her thoughts momentarily adrift.

She reached for the glass of water and took a delicate sip,lost in her reflections.

Just then, Besty appeared from the back lounge, her expression brimming with concern. Nolan always had a knack for making offers she couldn't refuse, and this was no exception.

Unique,high-quality fabric was her Achilles' heel, and this deep blue denim was exactly what her next season's collection demanded.

Despite recognizing the trap, Eleanor stepped into it willingly. "Thank you for letting me know," she responded with a nod. "Please reserve it for me."

Relief flickered in Nolan's eyes, though he masked it well. "When would you like to visit the factory to see it for yourself?"

After a brief pause, Eleanor replied, "The day after tomorrow, in the morning."

Nolan curbed the excitement bubbling within him,rising to his feet with measured politeness. "Then I won't keep you any longer," he said, and with that,he turned to leave, resisting the urge to linger.

Eleanor watched his retreating figure, her thoughts momentarily adrift.

She reached for the glass of water and took a delicate sip, lost in her reflections.

Just then, Besty appeared from the back lounge , her expression brimming with concern. "Boss, how about I go in your place the day after tomorrow?" she suggested softly, leaning in close.

Eleanor shook her head, resolute. "No need."

Deep down, she knew the truth; she couldn't avoid Nolan forever.

Besides, she felt no need to shy away from Nolan.

As long as her heart remained untouched,his efforts,no matter how clever,would amount to nothing.

Seeing Eleanor's quiet confidence, Besty didn't push further.

Instead, she slid a document across the desk. "Here are the financial statements for the Warren Foundation from the past six months, just as you asked."

Eleanor took the papers, her eyes scanning the figures with care.

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she noted the income and expenditure totals. "Our contributions can keep these disadvantaged children fed, but education and healthcare are still woefully underfunded. We need to rally more support from the community."

Besty tilted her head, thoughtful. "What if we organized a charity press conference?" Eleanor dismissed the idea with a gentle shake of her head. "Too overt. It could rub people the wrong way,making it seem like we're chasing clout instead of change. Let's hold off for now-I'll come up with something."

She knew too well that many companies dabbled in charity not out of genuine care, but for the shine it added to their reputation.

This wasn't a game to play lightly; it demanded careful consideration.

Besty, never one to meddle in areas outside her expertise, nodded. "Alright, I'll leave it to you. I'm heading out-don't stay too late,okay?"

"I won't," Eleanor replied with a calm smile.