Chapter 255

Wray's smug smile froze mid-face, stiffening until it looked almost painful.

The White family...fourth in Elepdon?

Sure, everyone knew the Whites ranked fourth among the city's wealthiest, but that wasn't the real problem.

The real problem was Trudy's mother hailing from the Perry family. It was a powerhouse in Elepdon's political circle, the kind of influence money alone couldn't buy.

If Nolan actually married a White, he might as well pack his bags. There would be no place for him in the Stewart Group.

The thought made Wray's chest burn with fury. His hand clenched so tightly around the champagne glass that it nearly shattered.

This! This was even worse than Norwood agreeingto let Nolan marry Eleanor.

And in that moment, it hit him that expecting Norwood to completely cut Nolan off, after grooming him for years as heir, had always been nothing more than a fantasy.

Meanwhile,the supposed target of Norwood's scheme,Eleanor,let out a short, cold laugh.

So that was what this was all about.

She had been wondering why she had been invited to the event tonight. Now it made sense that this was nothing but a setup to embarrass her.

Nolan tightened his grip on Eleanor's hand.

With every eye in the room on them, he guided her toward the stage. His steps were solid, and his presence carried an aura that pressed down on everyone.

Fixing his gaze firmly on Norwood, Nolan declared, "I don't agree. In this life, the only woman I'll marry is Eleanor."

His voice was absolute, leaving no doubt about his resolve.

Without offering another glance at those on stage,Nolan turned away,pulling Eleanor along with him.

His actions were sharp and final, making it clear that there was no space for argument.

"Nolan!" Fannie's voice called after them.

She glanced back at Norwood's thunderous face and the strange woman still standing on stage, then stomped her foot in anger before hurrying after her brother and Eleanor.

The grand hall sank into stunned silence.

Guests exchanged wide-eyed looks, whispers spreadinglike wildfire.

They couldn't stop talking about the depth of Nolan's devotion to Eleanor, about his audacity to defy Norwood in front of everyone, even after he got kicked out of the Stewart Group.

And yet, Trudy, left standing at the center of it all,didn't so much as flinch.

She had expected this reaction.

To her, what mattered wasn't the rejection tonight but the title she believed would eventually be hers-Nolan's legal wife. That was the victory she clung to.

Norwood,however,was far from composed.

His whole frame shook with rage, his finger jabbing in the direction Nolan had stormed off. "How dare he!"His voice cracked under the strain. A divorced woman over Trudy? The thought alone made his blood boil.

Then, in a rush of fury, his vision blurred.

The next second, his body stiffened, and he collapsed backward like a felled tree.

"Grandpa!"

"Norwood!"

"Quick,get a doctor!"

The room erupted into chaos, shouts and panic crashing together in a wave of disorder.

Later, in the quiet of the lounge, after receiving some care, Norwood slowly opened his eyes.

Trudy quickly moved closer.

"Norwood, are you okay?" She held his hand gently and said, "Maybe Nolan was just caught off guard and couldn't take it in right away. Please don't be upset with him."

Nolan was hers. She couldn't risk Norwood's anger pushing him further away.

The old man studied her gentle face and her reassuring tone, and his shoulders eased.

With effort,he raised his shaky hand and patted hers."My dear,you've been through so much."

Before themoment could soften further, a voice cut through the air from the doorway.

"Well, Ms. White, I must say, you're incredibly forgiving. After what Nolan pulled tonight, both our families are left disgraced."

Brodie was propped casually against the doorway,arms folded across his chest, a sly grin resting on his face.