Chapter 82

Eleanor's sapphire eyes brimmed with tears, her small frame shaking with suppressed sobs.

"You're just doing this to spite us!" Cassandra's porcelain features twisted in fury. "We all despise Evelyn, yet you insist on defending her. Is this your pathetic attempt to prove you're special?"

Her manicured nails dug into the armrest as she leaned closer. "Stop embarrassing yourself! Julian would never look twice at someone like you!"

"Miss Cassandra!" Agnes rushed forward, wrapping protective arms around the weeping child. "This has gone far enough!"

The staff at Cliffside Manor had become numb to these scenes, none daring to intervene against the Blackwood heiress.

Only Agnes, having served Nathan since childhood, possessed the courage to stand between the sisters.

"Get out, you meddling old woman!" Cassandra's voice cracked with rage. "This doesn't concern you!"

"I suggest you leave immediately." Agnes fixed Cassandra with a steely gaze while comforting the trembling Eleanor. "Walk away now, and I'll forget what happened here. Otherwise, Master Nathan will hear every detail of how you've treated your sister today."

Cassandra's perfectly contoured face paled. Her manicured fingers twitched.

If Nathan discovered her true nature, he'd undoubtedly tell Julian. His interference would ruin everything.

With a frustrated growl, Cassandra snatched the stuffed rabbit from Eleanor's arms and hurled it through the open French windows.

"No! Mr. Flopsy!" Eleanor's wail shattered the tense silence.

"That hideous thing was polluting my airspace." Cassandra flipped her chestnut waves with practiced nonchalance. "Consider it an improvement."

The child didn't hesitate, bolting barefoot across the marble floors toward the gardens just as Nathan's sports car purred up the driveway.

"Eleanor?" Nathan caught the distraught girl by her shoulders, his designer suit wrinkling under her desperate grip. "What's wrong?"

"Mr. Flopsy... he's gone!" Tears and mucus streaked her flushed cheeks. "Cassie threw him away!"

Nathan's jaw tightened. Without hesitation, he led the sobbing child toward the rose gardens.

There, nestled among thorny stems and damp soil, lay the mud-caked stuffed animal.

The fastidious billionaire didn't hesitate, ruining his Italian loafers as he retrieved the ruined toy.

Eleanor clutched the filthy rabbit to her chest like lost treasure, her tears creating clean streaks down its matted fur.

Nathan's usually impassive expression softened. "It's ruined, sweetheart. I'll buy you a dozen new ones tomorrow."

"No!" Eleanor's grip tightened. "Evelyn gave me Mr. Flopsy! He's special!"

Nathan's breath hitched. He hadn't realized how deeply his ex-wife had touched the fragile child.

Memories of Evelyn's kindness overwhelmed Eleanor. Without her, each day in the opulent prison of Cliffside Manor grew heavier. Her father's indifference, her mother's neglect, Cassandra's cruelty.

"Nathan!" The child launched herself into his arms, dampening his shirt with tears. "Please bring Evelyn back! I miss her so much! Can't you be together again?"

His throat constricted. The familiar ache returned.

Gently stroking her hair, he remained silent. Some truths were too cruel for her innocent heart.

The buzzing of his phone provided temporary reprieve.

Reginald's name flashed on the screen.

"Grandfather."

"Why isn't Evelyn answering my calls?" The elderly man's voice trembled with barely contained panic. "What have you done now, you foolish boy? If she's avoiding me because of you, I'll strike you from the will!"

Nathan massaged his temples. "She wouldn't abandon you, Grandfather. Don't—"

"Find her immediately!" Reginald's voice cracked. "I need to see my favorite granddaughter! Move your useless backside and bring her to me!"