Chapter 71

Rage boiled in Jonny like never before.

Days had passed without him setting foot at home, his excuse always circling back to endless work.

Lainey, however, wasn't fooled for a second. She knew he was simply growing weary of her.

There was no way she could just wait around while everything slipped through her fingers.

Until she had full control over the Todd Group, Jonny still mattered.

While those thoughts tangled in her mind, a headline suddenly jumped out at her. "Enigma Group is about to hold a fashion design competition. Word is, the top three might even earn the chance to become Enigma's personal students."

The idea of being chosen as a student of Enigma sent her heart racing.

Such recognition was priceless.

With their backing, she could rise to the top of the fashion world in an instant.

If she had that kind of power, would Jonny's loyalty even matter anymore?

Her time studying fashion design overseas gave her confidence. A competition like this wouldn't intimidate her-it was an open door she was readý to step through.

Fueled by resolve, she wasted no time signing up for the competition. Afterward, she hurried upstairs to the study, eager to capture her ideas before the spark faded.

While she was rummaging through her supplies, a sheet of paper slipped free from a heavy notebook.

It wasn't blank. It was a sketch.

The design screamed sophistication, its elegance rivaling the signaure style of Enigma Group. Her mind spun with questions. Who could have drawn this?

Eleanor?

No,that was absurd.

She was just an orphan; what could she possibly know about design?

Forget it.

Fate had practically handed her this masterpiece.

With a few adjustments, the judges would be floored.

The thought alone sent a thrill through her. Heart racing, she sat down at the desk, her pencif scratching furiously across the page as she reshaped the sketch into her own.

Days later, in the Podium Apartments, Lillian's nerves betrayed her. She kept sneaking glances at Eleanor,who lay sprawled on the sofa, lazily flipping through a magazine. Words hovered on her lips, but hesitation kept them locked away.

Several days had slipped by since Nolan's confession, yet Eleanor hadn't once stepped outside her apartment.

This was unbearable. How could her favorite love story stall like this?

Lillian scooted closer and whispered, "Eleanor, I heard the fashion design competition your firm is hosting already narrowed things down to eight finalists, and one of them is supposed to be a genius. Honestly,you're incredible! Only you could think of such a clever way to promote Enigma while finding the best talent at the same time."

Eleanor flipped another page, her eyes still glued to the magazine. "Cut the sweet talk. What do you actually want?"

Panic bubbled in Lillian's chest. She needed to push Eleanor into the world again. Without bumping into Nolan, how could their romance possibly move forward?

As the self-appointed matchmaker, she was running out of tricks.

Then, the perfect solution popped into her head.

"Eleanor, Sallie's seventieth birthday is coming up in a few days. I know you got the invitation too. Why don't we go together?"

The Todd family had its flaws, but Sallie had always been different-kindhearted and generous. On top of it,Eleanor was in her debt.

It was impossible for Eleanor not to feel a tug at her heart.

Her hand stilled mid-turn of the magazine, though she didn't voice an answer right away.

Noticing the hesitation, Lillian leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell me you're nervous about bumping into Nolan?"

Eleanor gave a sharp laugh. "Me? Nervous? Please."

She just didn't feel like giving him another opening.

Honestly, she was not sure how she was supposed to deal with him.

Years of friendship had made Eleanor an open book to Lillian, and she could read every thought behind those words.

Armed with that knowledge, Lillian putsher plan into motion. "You can relax. I already checked-he left the country a couple of days ago and hasn't come back yet."

The second she heard that, Eleanor snapped upright from her lazy sprawl. "Fine, I'll go!"

After all, it was Sallie's birthday celebration.

She had every reason to show up, pay her respects, and checked in on Sallie.