Chapter 206

Horace was picturing himself having thechild when a private jet cut through the stormy skies and landed on Zerovia's runway.

The door swung open, and out stepped Nolan in a black trench coat, the kind of man whose presence could silence a crowd.

His sharp gaze swept across the wet, familiar land."Zerovia," he muttered under his breath.

This place wasn't foreign to him.

He didn't come here often, but he knew the lay of the land all too well.

A place full of coruption, backstabbing, and shadows.

And if the intel was right, only one organization here would dare touch his girl-the Fist Guild. They had been running wild in Zerovia for years, fattening themselves off the chaos.

Nolan's eyes darkened as he turned toward Erick, who was shielding him from the rain with an umbrella. His tone left no room for argument. "Get word to the right people. I expect full cooperation. If anyone dares get in the way, we will withdraw from Zerovia altogether."

That wasn't an empty threat. Zerovia had been through hell, political mess and economic collapse,and Stewart money was the only thing keeping parts of it afloat.

Nolan knew the weight he carried, and so did everyone else.

Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the airport in long, decisive strides, heading directly for the man in military uniform who stood waiting.

It was none other than Kaiden Alvarado, commander of Zerovia.

The soldiers behind him snapped into salutes the moment Nolan appeared.

"Mr. Stewart," Kaiden greeted him firmly before launching into his report. "As soon as I got word,1sent people into the Fist Guild. We've got men on the inside now. And according to inside intel, Horace is preparing to take in a mistress, someone with medical skills."

Nolan froze for half a second. Horace?

That lowlife dared to set his sights on Eleanor?

Unforgivable.

His jaw tightened, rage burning through his calm mask."She's the one I came for. Don't move until I say so Just make sure my message gets to her through the informants."

"Yes, sir!" Kaiden snapped a salute again.

Soon after, Nolan was being escorted through the streets in a convoy of military vehicles, all the way to the most exclusive hotel in the country.

The presidential suite was lavish, yet it felt hollow.

Nolan stood at the giant window, staring into the night rain.

His thoughts were all on Eleanor.

Was she safe? Was she hurt?

The thought of her enduring pain or humiliation clawed at his chest until he could barely breathe.

This was on him.

His negligence had led to her capture. All he could do now was pray she had the strength to hold on until he reached her.

Meanwhile,Eleanor found herself reluctantly working needles into Horace's body.

The irony wasn't lost on her. She never thought she would end up treating someone just to fix their bedroom problems.

If word ever got out, David would probably disown her.

Horace, however, was lying there as if he had struck gold,his face practically glowing.

"You're sure you can fix me?" he asked eagerly.

Eleanor curved her lips into something that resembled a smile, though it held no warmth. "Of course."

That single phrase was enough.

Horace's chest puffed with pride, his imagination racing ahead. A future where his wife could no longer mock him,where his so-called manhood was restored -he could almost taste the victory.

But before his fantasy could swell any further,his phone buzzed against the bedside table.

The caller ID lit up with a name that made his expression sour instantly. Lainey.

He snapped up the phone, his joy evaporating,replaced by irritation. He waved at Eleanor like one would shoo away a servant. "Go. You can leave now."

Eleanor didn't need to be told twice.

She smoothly gathered her needles and headed out,but not before catching a glimpse of the screen.

It was Lainey calling.

Eleanor let out a quiet sneer.

Lainey calling at this hour most likely meant she wanted to confirm her death.

Oh, she would love to know how Horace explained this.

Watching those two snakes turn on each other promised to be entertaining.

With a faint smirk,Eleanor started exploring the place.

Her sense of direction was poor, and she couldn't afford to get lost in a critical moment.

But just as she rounded a corner, someone barreled straight into her.

Eleanor sighed. Did no one in this place know how to walk without colliding into others?

Steadying herself, she was about to move on when she felt something in her pocket.

She reached in and pulled out a crumpled note.

Could it be from an ally?

She quickly slipped into a restroom, shut the door,and unfolded it.

The note had only a few words, written with deep,bold strokes.

"Wait for me. Be careful."

Her breath caught. That handwriting... she would recognize it anywhere. Nolan's.

He was here. He had come for her.

A surge of relief spread through her chest, dissolving the weight that had been pressing against her ribcage since her capture.

Perfect.

With backup around, she could start planning her move. Lainey thought she had played a clever game,but now the tables were turning.

Eleanor intended to return the favor, and when she did,it would be a strike Lainey would never forget.