Chapter 143

Unbeknownst to her, Eleanor had been set up again.

After they left the restaurant, Nolan shadowed her every step, refusing to let her slip away, his persistence bordering on comical.

Eventually, she gave in and accompanied him to the Stewart Group building. The two shared the same space, but their minds wandered down different paths.

It would have been a stretch to call it quality time together-they worked in silence, each absorbed in their own world.

Once Nolan set aside the last of his paperwork, his attention drifted across the room, softening the moment his eyes landed on Eleanor.

She was sketching quietly, her movements so fluid they seemed effortless, a picture of elegance and concentration.

Most people whispered that he was out of her league, but he never believed that. Deep down, he believed he was the one who didn't deserve her.

She had fought her way up from nothing. She was Enigma and Butterfly-always hinting at mysteries yet untold.

He, by contrast, had been cushioned by family privilege his entire life. Had their lives been switched,he doubted he would have made it half as far.

Feeling his lingering gaze, Eleanor glanced up, their eyes meeting in a gentle, wordless exchange.

The tension that once lingered between them had faded,replaced by genuine warmth.

She tilted her head, curious. "Is there something you want to say?"

He set his pen aside and closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her with quiet affection. "Honestly, I just keep thinking how beautiful you are."

Eleanor batted his hand away, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Go back to your work and stop hovering. I'm in the middle of something important here."

Having her this close made it hard for Nolan to let go so easily.

With a mischievous glint, he tapped his cheek and gave her a playful look. "A little incentive, and maybe I'll behave."

She knew if she ignored him, he would never leave her alone. So Eleanor leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "Happy now? Give me some space -I need to finish this drawing."

That did the trick. Nolan strolled back to his desk,grinning like he had just won the lottery.

At that moment, Erick walked in and caught sight of Nolan's lovestruck expression. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Pushing aside any comments, he got straight to business. "Boss, we've got a situation-Darleen Faulkner's been kidnapped,badly hurt, and she's out cold."

Nolan's security team always kept an eye on the big families in Elepdon, so news like this never slipped through the cracks.

Nolan gave a nod to show he had heard.

Erick turned on his heel and left, silently grateful he hadn't interrupted his boss and Eleanor.

Neither Nolan nor Eleanor gave Erick's update a second thought.

Darleen wasn't someone who crossed their minds often, let alone someone they felt any attachment to.

But neither of them could have predicted that the very next morning, everything would be turned upside down by a knock at the door.

Eleanor was spending the day at Hope House,surrounded by the children, when two police officers walked in with somber faces.

"Excuse me. Which one of you is Eleanor Warren?"one of them said, scanning the room.

Eleanor rose to her feet and quietly gestured for the children to head inside before she answered, "I'm Eleanor."

Both officers stepped closer, flashing their badges."We're here regarding an incident from yesterday.Darleen Faulkner was abducted and assaulted. She's in critical condition and hasn't regained consciousness. At the scene, there was a note naming you as the suspect. We'll need you to come down to the station and answer a few questions."

Myah,having caught wind of the disturbance, hurried over, her face etched with worry. "There must be some mistake! Eleanor is gentle-she'd never hurt anyone."

Eleanor reached for Myah's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. There was nothing for the innocent to hide.

If someone was trying to set her up, she intended to face it head-on and see just how deep the scheme ran.

Eleanor met theofficers' eyes calmly and nodded."Of course. I'm ready whenever you are."

As Eleanor walked out with the police, Myah's anxiety boiled over. She paced back and forth, wringing her hands as worry took hold.

This couldn't be happening. She refused to let Eleanor become a scapegoat.

With fingers shaking, Myah fumbled for her phone and dialed in a hurry. "Mr. Stewart,you have to help!The police just took Eleanor away-something's really wrong!"