Chapter 420

After Ryland left, Nolan and Eleanor as well as Lillian slipped quietly out of Hector's hospital room.

Eleanor's eyes wandered to Nolan, who stood a short distance away.

He didn't move. His presence alone was heavy, almost warning others to stay back.

Eleanor let out a quiet sigh.

The storm inside him had passed, but now he looked like a man forcing himself to stay upright.

He was too proud to show weakness, too guarded to let anyone near.

Her presence might only make it harder for him.

So she rose and said gently, "If you need anything,call me.I've got something to take care of, so I'll head out first."

Nolan lifted his gaze. For a moment, his eyes carried both reluctance and a trace of raw vulnerability.

But in the end, he gave only a small nod.

He couldn't bear for her to see him this way.

Eleanor didn't press further. She turned and walked away.

Lillian quickly caught up, following her out of the hospital.

At the entrance, Lillian couldn't hold it back any longer.She grabbed Eleanor's hand. "Eleanor, you're really just leaving? You won't stay with him a little longer?"

Watching Nolan like that had boroken her heart.

In her eyes, if anyone could comfort him, it was Eleanor.

Eleanor stopped, glanced back at the hospital, and answered calmly, "He's proud. He won't want anyone to see him so vulnerable. If he truly needs me, I'll be there as his friend without hesitation. Let's wait and see-if he reaches out,I'll return."

Lillian nearly rolled her eyes at the word "friend".

Her voice dripped with doubt. "You only see him as a friend now?"

To her, the two clearly still carried feelings for each other.Why deny it?

Lillian was left confused.

Eleanor met her gaze evenly and asked, "What else could it be?"

They had broken up. To her, that meant nothing beyond friendship now.

Lillian faltered, unable to argue. Her temper fizzled out.

She decided to let it go.

Eleanor always knew her own mind, and pushing her wouldn't change it.

With a small sigh, Lillian pulled her car keys from her bag and dangled them in front of Eleanor. "Fine. I'll drive you home."

Eleanor nodded.

...

The car pulled up at the Benton family's villa.

Jeff and Hilda, seeing their heavy expressions, rushed over. "What happened?" Hilda asked anxiously.

Still burning with anger, Lillian explained everything.

The moment he heard it, Jeff slammed the table with his palm. "Colson is nothing but a beast!" In all his years, he had seen all kinds of people, but never one who would raise a hand against his own father.

The thought filled him with disgust and pity for the Stewart family.

Hilda was even more shaken, tears streaming freely."Norwood has truly suffered this time. I only hope he wakes soon."

Despite old frictions between the families, she meant it. She didn't want any harm to come to him.

Norwood had lived a life of kindness and principle.Such a man didn't deserve to end like this.

Taking Eleanor's hand gently, Hilda said, "You must be exhausted, sweetie. Go and rest. Tomorrow morning,I'll go with you to visit Norwood."

Jeff added firmly, "Your mother's right. Go rest."

Eleanor gave a soft nod and headed upstairs.

Seeing that, Lillian excused herself and left.