Chapter 100

Eleanor didn't even stop to think. She just snatched her jacket, flew down the stairs, and nearly collided with Nola.

Breathless,she stammered, "You...why are you-"

But she didn't get to finish. He pulled her straight into his arms and held her so tightly that she was able to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

His chin restedlightly on her hair, his breath brushing her face.

When he finally let her go,his voice was soft but sure."Safe travels. And don't forget to miss me."

Eleanor blinked. That was it? He had come all the way here just to say something like that?

She was torn between laughter and exasperation.

Nolan really was hopeless-an unapologetic romantic through and through.

After exchanging a few words, she returned upstairs,collapsed into bed, and slept straight through without a single dream.

The following morning, she was on her way to the airport with Dyer.

The moment they stepped out of the car, chaos erupted.

"Eleanor,look this way!"

"Eleanor,are you really Butterfly?"

"I'm such a big fan,Eleanor!"

The endless shouting was starting to drill into Eleanor's skull, each cheer making her temples throb.

She turned toward Dyer, who was soaking in the attention.

Her glare could have set fire to him, but the old man only raised his brows in smug amusement.

With a booming laugh, he lifted a hand for silence,and to her disbelief, the chaotic noise melted into silence.

Clearing his throat with exaggerated gravity, he announced in a mock-serious tone, "The only thing you all need to know is that she is my most prized student. As for Butterfly, or whatever name you're tossing around, I've never even heard of such a person." His explanation was so half-hearted it practically dripped with insincerity.

The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd burst into laughter, booing and tossing playful jabs his way,clearly amused by the flimsy denial.

"Come on, Dyer, who'd believe that?"

"Exactly, that's basically admitting it!"

"Confirmed! Enigma is Butterfly!"

As the shouts grew louder and the path ahead clogged with eager fans, Dyer grabbed Eleanor's wrist and made a break for the terminal.

Just before disappearing inside, he turned and barked,"I never admitted anything! Remember, this is all your own wild speculation!"

Once the plane took off smoothly and things calmed down, Dyer leaned back in his seat, looking very pleased with himself. He shot Eleanor a sideways grin,smug as ever. "So? Pretty smooth, right? Didn't I handle that just fine?"

Eleanor gave him a flat look, his playful tone not surprising her in the least.Without a word, she unlocked her phone, pulled up the trending topics, and handed it over to him. "Want to see what people are saying online?"

Still wearing that self-satisfied smile, Dyer took the phone.

But the moment his eyes landed on the glaring headline, his grin stiffened. "Dyer confirms Butterfly is Enigma at the airport."

He skimmed the articles, saw the flood of giddy comments, and though his eyes lit with amusement,he still muttered with annoyance, "Ridiculous! These shameless reporters! They're just lying through their teeth, twisting every word! Just wait till I'm back from Otrad, I'm suing every last one of them!"

Eleanor calmly took her phone back, propped her chin in her hand, and chose silence over fueling his theatrics.