Chapter 239

Eleanor remained silent, choosing to observe from a quiet corner.

Nolan caught sight of her, gave a faint nod, then returned his focus to the figure standing across from him,the half-brother he hadn't seen in years.

The last memory Nolan had of Brodie stretched back to-their shared childhood.

Colson had arrived at the Stewart family's residence with his mistress and Brodie, barely six months younger than Nolan. Norwood had immediately expelled them, declaring they would never set foot in the country again.

Seventeen years had passed since that fateful day.

And here Bródie was, standing in front of him.

Nolan had never truly clashed with Brodie personally, yet simply glimpsing the child of his father's mistress was enough to darken his mood entirely.

Eyes narrowing, Nolan fixed Brodie with a sharp, icy stare. "Does Grandpa know you returned?"

Brodie tilted his head and feigned innocence, shrugging lightly. "I've heard Grandpa's health isn't strong. As his grandson, isn't visiting expected? Don't you think it's cruel to phrase it like that?"

While talking, his gaze deliberately flicked toward Eleanor, standing just a few steps away, and he exhaled deeply."Ah, I understand. Your devotion belongs entirely to Miss Warren now, leaving neither Grandpa nor me any thought."

Her name reached Eleanor's ears, breaking her quietude.

She advanced gracefully, ignoring Brodie entirely. Without hesitation, she moved to Nolan's side and took his hand.,"Baby, it−1Szgetting late. We should head home."

When his eyes met hers, the tension in Nolan's jaw eased immediately. He inclined his head, letting Eleanor guide him toward the Bentley parked curbside.

The door clicked shut, and the black Bentley vanished swiftly around the corner.

Brodie stayed rooted, a faintly cryptic smile curving his lips.

Eleanor,was it?

Fascinating.

His attention shifted across the courtroom, where Kurt and Jonny, accompanied by others, hurried along with court officers toward a private visitation corridor.

If memory served,Jonny had once been Eleanor's husband.

The woman Nolan now protected so fiercely had been married to someone else before.

No wonder Norwood's temper flared constantly at the mere thought of their relationship.

As for Lainey, she possessed undeniable strength; wielded correctly, she could become a razor-sharp instrument in his plans, making her eventual rescue worthwhile.

But that matter could wait.

Brodie adjusted the brim of his baseball cap, concealing the scheming calculations in his eyes.

Determination hardened his expression-this time, he would reclaim everything rightfully his.

Inside the visitation room, only Kurt had arrived; Jonny had yet to enter.

Kurt's palms were clammy, and he could not remain seated, his nerves raw.

Despite the pain Lainey had caused recently, she remained his daughter, cherished for every moment of her life. The weight of her life sentence pressed heavily against his heart.

Lauryn, his wife, had fainted at the news andremained hospitalized.

Chaos had taken over completely. As these thoughts ran through him, the massive iron door swung open. Lainey entered, escorted by two female officers, her distress evident.

Kurt's chest tightened painfully.

He hurried to the visitation window, his voice trembling with urgency. "Lainey, sweetie! Don't worry, Dad's here.Dad's right here!"