Chapter 127

Lillian hurried after Nolan once they left the Benton family's estate, flashing him a big thumbs-up.

"Nolan,that was incredible. Eleanor really knew what she was doing when she chose you."

Nolan shot her a sideways glance, his expression flat and unreadable.

He didn't say a word, but the tension radiating off him was obvious.

Ryland, quick to catch on, tugged Lillian back before she could ramble on and make things worse.

Nolan slid into the car by himself, though he didn't immediately tell the driver where to go.

It wasn't anger holding him back, but it was the thoughts running through his head.

Before, he had only noticed that Eleanor and Hilda carried the same kind of presence.

But after he saw Hilda up close at the banquet, the resemblance was unmistakable. They didn't just feel alike-they looked alike too.

Eleanor had grown up in an orphanage.The Benton family had lost a daughter.

Could it be...

A daring thought began to take shape.

His eyes lifted to Erick in the driver's seat. His voice was calm but carried weight. "Dig into the Benton couple's background. And I want every detail about their missing daughter."

Erick was taken aback. "But Mr. Stewart, hasn't their daughter already been found?"

Nolan's gaze flicked up to the rearview mirror, sharp and cold.

Erick instantly shut his mouth. "Yes, sir," Erick quickly corrected, not daring to probe further. "Where would you like to go now?"

Nolan didn't bother answering. One look was enough, and Erick understood immediately.

Minutes later, the car rolled to a stop in front of Eleanor's apartment.

Nolan's expression had softened just slightly, and Erick mentally applauded himself for reading the situation right.

When Nolan walked in, Eleanor had just gotten home too.

She had just washed up and changed into something comfortable. Seeing him there, she looked a little surprised and asked, "What brings you here?"

He stepped inside without hesitation and closed the door behind him.

His eyes settled on her, and in a low voice that carried a hint of teasing complaint, he said, "I was tempted again...but | resisted."

Eleanor couldn't help but laugh at his dramatics."Congratulations, you passed the test of gentlemanly restraint."

But Nolan wasn't after verbal praise.

He leaned closer, tilting down until his breath brushed against her cheek. His tone was soft, yet full of intent."Then,what about my reward?"

Eleanor immediately caught his meaning.

Arching a brow, she rose on her toes and brushed a light kiss across his forehead.

For a split second, Nolan forgot to breathe. Up close, her face blurred with the memory of Hilda's. The resemblance was uncanny, unsettling even.

After a moment of silence, he finallysaid, "At the banquet, I saw Mrs. Benton. She looks a lot like you."

Eleanor waved it off, casually handing him a bottle of water. "Lillian already mentioned it. But lookalikes aren't that rare. And the Benton family/isn't careless. They must have verified everything before accepting Lainey back."

Her voice softened, carrying a trace of irony. "When Myah found me, she told me there was a note tucked in my swaddle. It said my parents were gone. So no matter the resemblance, it doesn't matter.It can't be."

Nolan studied her quietly, the weight in his gaze unspoken. He didn't argue. Instead, he hummed a faint acknowledgment.

Still, in his mind, the possibility lingered. This wasn't something he could just let go.

Eleanor, unwilling to dwell on it, turned toward her study. "Enough of that. I've got work. You should head back."

But Nolan leaned against the doorway, unbothered. "Can't I stay over?"

She spun around, and ushered him out with a calm but absolute′′no.′′

The door locked behind him with a decisive click. Inside, Eleanor's phone buzzed nonstop with orders.Demand for the pills on the Underground Network was surging again.

She had to get another batch ready quickly.

Money mattered more than anything.

Men could wait. Orphans depending on her couldn't.

Nolan, oblivious to her real concerns, didn't take offense.

That kiss alone was more than he expected tonight.

He left with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Erick caught sight of it in the rearview mirror and nearly choked.

Was this really the same cold, ruthless Nolan Stewart?

He almost wanted to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

Of course, Erick kept his mouth shut and started the engine, playing the silent chauffeur. But inside, he was groaning.

Working for Nolan had never been easy, but working for a Nolan smitten with love? Now that was brutal.