Chapter 232

Nolan swung his long leg with precision, kicking Lainey squarely in the stomach

She went flying,crashing hard into a nearby table.

The guests gasped, stepping back in shock at the sudden violence.

Eleanor was quick to move, supporting Hilda as she checked her over. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Jeff moved forward as well, his eyes scanning both women with concern. Any slip could be disastrous.

Just then, from outside the church, the wail of approaching police sirens cut through the tense silence.

Lainey stiffened.

No. She couldn't be caught, not now. If she ended up in police custody, everything she had schemed for would collapse.

Driven by sheer survival instinct, she struggled to her feet, ignoring the pain, and bolted toward a chosen escape route.

Erick's gaze went icy. With a sharp gesture to the bodyguards behind him, he commanded, "Get her!"

Instantly, several figures lunged forward, pursuing her through the hall and out into the streets.

Meanwhile,Eleanor lifted her head, scanning the crowd. And then her eyes locked with a pair of unreadable,familiar ones.

Time seemed to pause.

Nolan stepped forward, and in front of everyone, he pulled Eleanor into a tight embrace.

The grip was strong enough to make her slightly uncomfortable, but she understood that he was terrified of losing her again. As she noticed his tremor, Eleanor's lips curved into a soft smile. She patted his back gently. "Calm down.I'm fine,see?"

Slowly, he released her, his eyes tracing her face inch by inch before finally settling on her bandaged arm.

His relief vanished instantly, replaced by sharp concern. "Doctor! Where's the doctor?" he demanded.

Still holding her carefully by the waist, he guided her toward the nearby bench, his movements protective,as though any misstep could spell disaster.

Eleanor sighed and didn't fight as Nolan led her away.

Hilda's eyes followed her daughter nervously.

She felt like if she looked away for even a second, her long-lost daughter might disappear again.

Norwood, leaning on his cane, walked slowly forward.

A lifetime of experience hadn't prepared him for moments like this. Today, for the first time, he found himself played by a young woman like Lainey.

He glanced at Jeff with a soft expression. "Jeff, I'm glad you and your wife are safe."

Jeff nodded slightly, keeping his calm, professional demeanor.

"Thank you, Norwood. Things are hectic here. I'Il have someone escort you to rest. I'll visit properly another day."

Norwood nodded slightly, realizing this was the Benton family's problem and not his place to stay. He quietly followed the servants away.

Soon after, Nolan's private doctor arrived and began inspecting Eleanor's arm wound.

Nolan stayed close, his presence commanding, eyes locked on her scorched skin.

When the doctor finally set down his tweezers, he spoke with reassurance. "Mr. Stewart, it's nothing serious. Just a surface burn, the area is small, and it hasn't reached the deeper tissues. With proper care and keeping it clean and dry, it will heal quickly without leaving scars." Nolan finally allowed himself to relax a fraction, though seeing the redness and swelling still made his chest tighten.

This was on him.

He should have protected her better.

Eleanor noticed the tension in his face and found it somewhat amusing. "Really, after what we went through,a little burn is nothing. We made it out alive, didn't we?"

She remembered the fire, the terror, and the near-death experience.

Being safe and alive now felt like a miracle, and that was all that mattered to her.