Chapter 48

Lost in thought, Jonny gently held Lainey's hand and looked straight at Kurt. "Kurt, Lainey's right. Even if that hundred million wasn't inthe picture, I'd still treat her well."

The matter was settled almost before anyone realized it.

Lainey couldn't help but picture herself as the wife of the CEO of a public company.

The thought made her pulse quicken with pride and anticipation.

Finally, she would have everything she had dreamed of.

And as far as she was concerned, there was no longer any place for Eleanor in their lives.

While they excitedly finalized wedding plans, Eleanor's world was anything but calm.

Myah's call had thrown a wrench into her plans. An unexpected inspection team had appeared out of nowhere, claiming Hope House was unsafe. It was old, precariously built on a seismic belt, and therefore a hazard.

They had ten days to relocate or face a forced eviction.

Eleanor spent two sleepless nights sifting through every possible option.

Finally, with her apprentice's help, she found a suitable site. Relief should have washed over her,but it didn't. Lillian had come by to offer comfort, but her words only added to Eleanor's worries. "Eleanor, isn't this land owned by the Stewart Group?"

Eleanor froze and immediately pulled up the Qualen Estates files.

Oh yes.

How could she have forgotten? Qualen Estates was a Stewart Group subsidiary.

Lillian, noticing Eleanor's stress, approached with a teasing grin. "You and Nolan... you two seem pretty close. Why not just talk to him?"

Eleanor stiffened. Lillian had somehow let slip to Ryland about Nolan's supposed impotence.

Ryland, of course, had scolded her and then gone on about how men sometimes like to exaggerate their...abilities in private.

It all added up. Nolan was definitely good in bed, and if Eleanor ended up with him, she would undoubtedly be happy.

Lillian felt it was practically her duty to nudge them together.

Eleanor, meanwhile, shifted uncomfortably under Lillian's knowing gaze.

"Close?" Eleanor echoed, a little sharp. "I barely know him." But Lillian wasn't fooled. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Come on, Eleanor, be honest. Are you hiding something from me?"

Could it be that Eleanor had shared secret moments with Nolan?

Eleanor's cheeks burned as she shot Lillian a glare,exasperated. "No. Nothing."

Lillian raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

Just as she was about to press further, Eleanor's phone buzzed.She checked it and froze.

"Qualen Estates refused to sell?" Her expression darkened instantly.

Lillian let out a small laugh. "See? Fate is practically shoving you toward Nolan."

She gave Eleanor's shoulder a playful pat. "Too shy to make a move? Shall I set up a meeting for you?"

Eleanor resisted visibly.

This wasn't about someone arranging things for her. She had promised herself she would stay away from Nolan, and she wasn't about to dash into his arms now.

Pride wouldn't let her.

But Lillian could see through the tough exterior.

Eleanor was all resolve on the surface, but her heart was soft. For the sake of the orphanage, she would bend if she had to.

With a playful nudge, Lillian pressed on. "Oh, please,what's there to be scared of? Nolan isn't going to bite. And don't forget, that jerk of an ex-husband has already gone public with his engagement to Lainey,and the Todds and Gilberts are working together.If you don't take advantage of Nolan's power, you'll have to rely on the Enigma Group, and even if you move Hope House, they'll still manage to interfere."

Lillian had already heard that once the two families locked in their alliance, the Gilberts poured money into the Todd Group. Not long after, Hope House started facing problems.

Officially, it all looked unrelated, but she refused to believe the families didn't have a hand in it.

Eleanor considered this quietly and realized Lillian had a point.

While she didn't take the Gilberts or the Todds seriously, their constant meddling was a headache.

More importantly, the frequent relocations weren't good for Myah or the kids.

Rather than risk exposing her identity using the Enigma Group's connections, it made more sense to leverage Nolan's influence.

Still, the situation served as a harsh reminder of her earlier bold claims.