Chapter 431

The next morning, just as dawn brushed the sky with pale light, Eleanor finished her morning routine and came downstairs.

In the living room, Nolan was already waiting. He hadn't even changed out of yesterday's suit-only undone a couple of collar buttons-but the dark circles shadowing his eyes betrayed his sleepless night.

The moment he saw her, he straightened at once,striding toward her.

"Eleanor, shall I drive you home?" he asked, his voice carrying both formality and quiet eagerness.

With Lightning insisting on clearing the office building,Nolan's schedule had been unexpectedly freed.

To him, this was a rare chance-an opportunity to steal just a little mnore time at her side.

But Eleanor shook her head lightly. "No need."

Her refusal was gentle yet firm. If she let him drive her,it would complicate things-she wouldn't be able to show up at the Stewart Group later without risking her true identity being exposed. The spark in Nolan's eyes dimmed, his composure faltering.

To him, it felt as though she was once again holding him at a distance, as she had always done before.

Noticing his disappointment, Eleanor felt a strange,unwelcome pang in her chest.

She quickly averted her gaze, choosing instead to shift the conversation. "Fannie dropped by last night,"she said softly. "It was late, so I didn't mention it.You've been so buried in work lately, but now that she's back, you should spend some time with her."

Nolan nodded, his eply quiet. "Okay. I will."

Eleanor said nothing more. Turning gracefully, she walked straight toward the door, leaving him standing in the quiet living room.

Nolan's gaze lingered on her retreating figure, but in the end, he held back the urge to ask her to stay.

After leaving the Stewart family's estate, Eleanor didn't head straight to the Stewart Group. Instead, she made a brief detour to the Benton family's villa.

The moment she stepped through the door, Hilda's face lit with joy. "Welcome back, baby," she greeted warmly. Jeff rose from the sofa as well, his eyes filled with concern. "How's Norwood?" he asked.

Eleanor met their anxious gazes and answered honestly, her voice steady. "He's stable. Now, it's just a matter of waiting for him to wake on his own."

Then, in a gentle voice, she added,"Dad, Mom,I have something I need to take care of, so I'll head upstairs first."

Without waiting for further questions, she made her way up to her room.

There, from the very back of her wardrobe,she pulled out a worn, dust-covered box.

Inside lay a black outfit and a gleaming silver butterfly mask. The sight of them sent a ripple of resolve through her.

Given the urgency of the situation, they had to do so.

Moving quickly, Eleanor tied her long hair into a sleek high ponytail and tucked the outfit, mask, and a few essential tools into an inconspicuous backpack.

Once everything was prepared,she walked down the stairs, bid her parents a brief farewell, and slipped back outside. This time, she flagged down a cab and directed it toward the Stewart Group. When she arrived, she didn't enter right away. Instead,she crossed the street to a quiet café.

Inside its restroom, she changed into the black suit and fitted the butterfly mask over her face.

She studied her reflection carefully to ensure her disguise was foolproof. Satisfied, she slung her backpack over her shoulder, stepped out of the café,and strode into the Stewart Group building.

The vast lobby stretched out before her, eerily silent and empty.

Eleanor wasted no time. She headed straight for the elevators and pressed the button for the twentieth floor.

The door to the data room yielded easily-it was unlocked.

Moving quickly to the main server, her eyes scanned the code. Within moments, she identified the virus wreaking havoc. It was the latest version, cutting-edge and vicious in its design, used by Ghost.

But as her gaze narrowed, recognition struck. This wasn't just any virus. It was one she herself had written -casually, almost carelessly-three years ago and sold on the Underground Network. So Ghost had been the one to buy it? Her lips curved into a cold, mocking smirk.

So the so-called world's top hacker was standing on the foundation she built for him.

But there was no time to dwell on the irony.

Her hands flew across the keyboard, every keystroke precise,fluid,and quick.

Within five minutes, the virus was dismantled and the system fully restored.

Had this not been Nolan's commission,she might have laughed aloud-earning five hundred million for something this easy was almost laughable.

Pulling out her phone,Eleanor typed a quick message to her subordinate. "Mission accomplished."

Without another glance at the glowing screens behind her, she rose, adjusted her mask, and slipped out of the Stewart Group as silently as she had come.