Chapter 436
After departing the Stewart family's estate, Nolan made a beeline for the company.
Upon stepping into his office, he swiftly dialed the legal department.
"Draft a stock transfer agreement," he directed with authority. "Assign five percent of the company's shares to Eleanor."
The voice on the other end faltered, clearly caught off guard, but Nolan offered no further explanation and ended the call.
Moments later, the legal department's director personally delivered the document.
Nolan accepted the file, perusing it with meticulous care.
Satisfied that all was in order, he plucked the pen from his desk and affixed his signature to the designated line.
With a sense of finality, he closed the folder and tucked it securely into his briefcase. Only after completing these tasks did he rise and depart the company.
As he stepped out of the Stewart Group's towering building,his gaze instinctively drifted across the street to the quaint coffee shop.
Eleanor had lost several days on account of him.
Her shop was likely swamped with work, and she must be buried under a mountain of tasks.
A fond memory surfaced-she adored lattes.
Nolan crossed the street and entered the familiar,cozy coffee shop. "One latte, to go," he requested.
The barista, a cheerful young woman, lit up with a warm smile upon recognizing him. "Right away, Mr.Stewart,just a moment!"
In no time, a steaming latte was prepared and neatly packaged.
As she handed him the drink, a sudden recollection sparked her to speak. "Mr. Stewart, your girlfriend left something here yesterday. Would you like to take it with you?"
Nolan froze mid-reach for the coffee. The word sent an unexpected jolt through his chest,stirring emotions he couldn't quite name.
His thoughts instantly turned to Eleanor.
Who else couldit be?
Since he didn't respond, the barista assumed he needed a reminder and swiftly retrieved a small box from beneath the counter.
"This is it," she said, presenting it to him.
Nolan glanced inside.
Nestled within was a delicate hairpin, its silver butterfly wings glinting softly in the light.
It was unmistakably the one Eleanor had worn when she left the guest room yesterday morning.
A pang gripped Nolan's heart.
Eleanor had been here yesterday?
What had brought her to the shop?
A sudden, vivid realization roared in his mind.
He looked up, his voice taut with an urgency he hadn't anticipated. "When was she here?"
The barista pondered briefly before replying, "I'm not certain, but I think it was early-around eight in the morning."
Around eight in the morning?
Nolan stood rooted to the spot, stunned.
That timing aligned perfectly with when Erick had mentioned Lightning was at the company, tackling issues.
Lightning...
Three years ago, on January 20th, was the last time Lightning had surfaced.
That very day marked the bet he had made with Eleanor.
Not long after, the Stewart Group's stock had inexplicably nosedived.
Could it be? The person he had spent half a billion searching for had been right beside him all along?
The pieces fell into place with startling clarity.
Nolan's breath caught, his chest tightening.
It was her.
She was Lightning.
Thanking the barista, Nolan turned and slipped out of the coffee shop, the weight of revelation trailing him.
Back in the sanctuary of his car, he paused, hands resting on the wheel, the engine silent.
His thoughts churned like a storm, grappling to find steady ground.
If Eleanor was indeed Lightning, what other secrets did she hold,veiled from his understanding?
She was extraordinary, a radiant enigma.
Looking back, he wondered if he, perhaps, was the one who paled in her brilliance.
After what felt like an eternity, Nolan drew a deep breath and turned the key, the engine humming to life as his mind continued to whirl with unanswered questions.