Chapter 8

"I'm divorced, and I refuse to lose myself in another man's shadow," Eleanor said.

"That's better." David's dislike of Jonny had always been clear, and he had never thought that marriage would last.

Still, he knew people often needed hardship before they could truly groW.

Now he was convinced this ordeal would forge Eleanor into someone unshakable.

Once her conversaion with David had reached its end,Eleanor didn't linger in the lounge.

Making her way toward the exhibition hall, she suddenly crossed paths with Emma.

The instant Emma spotted her, her face twisted with scorn. "So Lillian Brooks has made you bold.Are you really so desperate to win Jonny back that you'd chase him all the way here?"

"Watch what you say."

"Don't act innocent. I remember how you bowed to Jonny's every whim. You'll never fool me."

Eleanor recognized Emma's stupidity and chose not to waste energy. "Step aside."

"Absolutely not. I'm warning you, stay away from Jonny. The only woman fit to be my sister-in-law is Lainey!" Emma's shrill tone carried through the hall,quickly drawing a crowd.

Desperate to humiliate her further, Emma raised her voice. "Three years of marriage, and you couldn't even give him a child. Just look at yourself-plain,broke, and worthless. Do you honestly think you can measure up to Lainey?"

Eleanor's lips curved faintly as she replied, "If you're so worried about children, maybe have Jonny see a doctor. The problem lies with him, not me." Those words struck like a whip, and Emma lost all composure. "How dare you insult Jonny! I'll teach you a lesson right here!"

Spoiled by the Todd family, Emma had never cared about when or where she threw her tantrums.

As Emma lunged forward, Eleanor shifted lightly to the side, letting Emma stumble past and collide straight into the exhibition stand.

A deafening crash followed as a priceless vase toppled with its glass case and shattered across the marble floor.

For a heartbeat, the room froze. Security guards,guests, and staff all stared in stunned silence.

Jonny appeared first, pushing through the crowd with urgency. "What's going on here?"

"She shoved me!" Emma wasted no time, pointing at Eleanor. "She kept insulting me, then pushed me straight into the display!" <