Chapter 315

The auction venue buzzed behind Eleanor as she politely declined her team's dinner invitation, choosing instead to return to the Benton family's home.

Sharp brakes squealed as a car lurched to a stop mere feet from where she stood at the entrance.

Nolan exploded from the driver's seat, panic and remorse warring across his face. "Baby, forgive me for breaking my promise. Elora's violent ex-boyfriend ambushed her at the hospital and tried to assault her.I couldn't abandon her in that state, so the auction became impossible."

By now, Eleanor recognized this tired dance all too well.

Every single time she arranged plans with Nolan, some crisis involving Elora would magically materialize.

Cool indifference masked her features as she inquired with deceptive calm, "Was he caught?"

Nolan decided to be completely honest with her. "No, he was gone by the time I got there."

At that answer, Eleanor's expression shifted into something like amusement. Looking directly into his eyes,she asked, "Did it ever occur to you that this might not be what it appears?"

Nolan stared at her in complete shock. "You're saying Elora planned this herself?"

The idea seemed completely crazy to him.

The doctor had confirmed that Elora was genuinely terrified and showing real physical signs of trauma.

Nobody could fake something that convincing.

Eleanor could tell he would never believe her, so she didn't waste her breath trying to convince him.

Her gaze moved past him to her parents, who had just stepped outside. "Mom, Dad, I'm exhausted. Would you mind showing our guest out?"

She turned and walked straight into the house without giving him another glance. Nolan started to follow, but Jeff quickly moved to block his way.

Jeff glared at the young man who had caused his daughter so much pain, his voice turning ice-cold. "If Eleanor isn't your number one priority, we'll never give our blessing to this marriage. You need to give up on that idea completely."

Nolan could see that Jeff meant every word.

He answered with complete sincerity, "Mr. Benton, my feelings for Eleanor have never changed. Please let her know that I'm going to take care of Elora's situation once and for all."

With that promise, he turned around and walked away.

Hilda watched his retreating figure and let out a deep sigh. "That boy is incredibly stubborn."

Anyone could see how much Nolan loved Eleanor, but his loyalty toward his close friend kept him from seeing what was right in front of him.

Her poor daughter had to be suffering so much because of this.

Jeff moved closer and wrapped his arms around his wife, rubbing her back in gentle circles.

"Don't stress about it," he told her softly. "If Nolan's not going to work out, we'll find someone much better for Eleanor. There are plenty of decent men in this world."

Hilda nodded in agreement with her husband's words.

She refused to accept that Eleanor wouldn't be able to find true happiness.

Nolan had no clue that the Bentons had already given up on him entirely.

He was behind the wheel, his thoughts spinning in circles.

Why was everyone.convinced that he was making a mistake?

His grandfather, Eleanor, even Ryland... every single person seemed to think he was in the wrong.

Was it possible that Elora really was the source of all these problems? That thought made Nolan grab his phone with one hand. "Pull the hospital's security footage. I want you to verify everything Elora and the doctor told us. Don't overlook anything, and keep this completely confidential."

Erick responded with his usual professionalism, "Understood, Mr. Stewart."

Truth was, he had been questioning Elora's stories for quite some time now.

But being just an assistant, he knew his place and kept those suspicions to himself.

...

Nolan drove back to Regal Heights alone.

The villa greeted him with emptiness, lacking all the life and warmth that Eleanor used to fill it with.

Things weren't meant to turn out this way.

Where exactly had everything started falling apart?

How did they reach this breaking point?

Maybe he really had been wrong about everything.

But Elora was so fragile right now. He couldn't possibly abandon someone who had been his friend since childhood.