Chapter 109

Nolan had turned into a hopeless romantic ever since Eleanor's trip to Otrad, his devotion making him blind to everything else.

For several days straight, aside from the moments he absolutely needed for himself, he hardly left her side.

It was as if work no longer existed in his world.

Eventually, Eleanor had enough and used business matters as her excuse to escape to the store.

Just as she reached the entrance, she came face-to-face with Emma and Vickie, who were stepping out of the neighboring shop.

Emma lifted her shopping bags high, her face glowing with excitement. "Mom, Lainey is unbelievable. She only had to speak once, and Jonny handed over his unlimited credit card." Vickie shot her a sly look, her smile sharp at the edges. "Obviously he did. Lainey's a Benton by blood. Who else would he suck up to? It's not like he'd waste his time on some walking jinx dragging this family through the mud."

Emma was ready to agree when her eyes suddenly caught Eleanor standing nearby.

The sight of her left Emma momentarily stunned.

With Jonny and Lainey locked in constant arguments lately, she was convinced Eleanor had stirred the trouble.

She had been waiting for the perfect chance to put Eleanor in her place, and now it seemed the opportunity had delivered itself.

Marching forward with her chin high, Emma sneered,"Listen carefully, Eleanor. Don't think your little schemes can tear Jonny and Lainey apart. Lainey is Benton blood, and my sister-in-law will always be her. As for you..." Her gaze swept Eleanor up and down with cruel disdain. "You're nothing more than a girl raised in an orphanage. No matter how talented you think you are, you'll only ever end up as someone's toy."

Eleanor couldn't help but think Emma had completely lost her senses.

Why in the world would she leave someone like Nolan for Jonny?

But she didn't voice her thoughts. To her, silence and indifference were the sharpest answers.

Without sparing Emma so much as a glance, she simply walked past her.

Emma's temper boiled over when Eleanor walked away as if she didn't exist. She lunged forward,hand outstretched to grab Eleanor. "Hold it! Who said you could walk off?"

The attempt never landed. Instead, a sharp crack rang out as Eleanor's palm struck her cheek.

For a second, Emma froze in disbelief. Had this weak, spineless girl really hit her?

Three years of bullying and not once had Eleanor fought back, yet now she dared to raise a hand?

Didn't she realize she could run to Jonny and make him despise her forever?

Eleanor offered no explanation, no apology. She simply lowered her arm and rolled her wrist,loosening the sting.

Her gaze cut like ice as it slid to Vickie and then back to Emma. "Next time you try that, it won't stop with a slap."

With her warning delivered, Eleanor strode calmly into her store, her composure untouched.

Only when her silhouette vanished did Emma's voice return, shrill with outrage.

"Mom! She hit me! She has crossed a line!"

Vickie's anger already simmered to the surface.

If it weren't for the people nearby, she might have clawed Eleanor's face to pieces on the spot.

"Unbelievable. That little tramp dares to raise her hand? She needs to be taught a lesson!" Vickie muttered under her breath.

Her mind spun with fury. Since when did Eleanor find the courage?

It had to be Nolan.

Ever since she latched onto him, she walked around with a new arrogance.

The thought made Vickie's stomach churn. She couldn't stand the humiliation her daughter had suffered.

She made up her mind to go to Lainey, certain that Lainey wouldn't let what happened to Emma slide and would make sure Eleanor paid forit.