Chapter 214

Nolan wasn't the only one struggling. Ryland also had his own mess to deal with.

After running himself ragged digging up information on Jeff, he finally tracked him down, only to learn that Jeff was currently at the Stewart family's estate.

Ryland rubbed his temples. Seriously? After being stuck there once already, Jeff still ended up back at that place?

Just picturing Norwood's looming presence was enough to make Ryland break out in a cold sweat.

The old man was intimidating as hell, and Ryland hated crossing paths with him. But Nolan had given him a job,and bailing wasn't an option.

So,swallowing his nerves, Ryland made his way to the Stewart family's residence.

The second he stepped inside, Norwood's voice hit him like a whip. "Well? Did you track down Eleanor? Is she still alive?"

Ever since Eleanor had shown up at Nolan's side,disaster had followed close behind. First,she stirred up trouble with those small families,and now there was a kidnapping scandal dragging the Stewart name down.

She was nothing but trouble.

Ryland could only force a stiff smile. "Mr. Stewart,she's alive."

The truth was, he felt trapped. On one side, Nolan was chasing love like it mattered more than loyalty. On the other, Norwood was rigid, sharp, and impossible to sway.

Norwood, clearly uninterested in hearing explanations,waved him away with an impatient flickof his hand."If that's what you came to say, then you can leave.I already know."

Ryland didn't argue. Instead, he passed a file to Jeff,who was sitting nearby. "Mr. Benton, Nolan asked me to give this to you. I think it has something to do with a cooperation matter, though I'mn not clear on the details."

With that, he bowed slightly and left.

Jeff, however, wasn't really paying attention to the papers. His mind was still replaying the news that Eleanor was alive and safe. He couldn't explain it, but knowing she was alive brought an odd sense of relief.

Once Ryland was gone, the living room went quiet.

Jeff glanced at the file in his hands, then at Norwood.Staying any longer suddenly felt awkward.

He stood up, giving Norwood a respectful nod. "Mr.Stewart, thank you for your hospitality. Lainey and I should get going."

Norwood's face remained unreadable as he gestured to the butler."See them out."

Jeff nodded once more and headed toward the entrance. He was about to go searching for Lainey in the garden when he spotted her already standing by the door.

Convenient. He raised a hand and called to her,"Lainey, let's get going."

Lainey had been zoning out, and it took her a beat to answer."Alright."

Her mind was spinning.

Eleanor was alive?

How the hell did that woman manage to crawl back from the fire? And what was in that file Ryland just dropped off?

Back at the Benton family's estate, she didn't rush upstairs. Instead, she stuck around, playing the part of the dutiful daughter, sitting with Jeff.

The closer she stayed to him, the faster she could get her hands on those shares. Then her perfect life would finally start.

While she was busy daydreaming, Jeff opened the file.

He lowered his gazeas he pulled out a stack of A4papers, along with several photographs.

The first thing that jumped out at him was the bold words-Lainey Gilbert,while studying in Zerovia,lived with the local mafia boss...

Jeff froze mid-breath, his chest tightening as he read on.

The photos were worse. There was Lainey,plastered in heavy makeup, cozying up to a tattooed man,laughing like they were lovers.

Another image showed her gambling recklessly at a casino. And then one where she held a knife, glaring fiercely beside what looked like a severed head.

The written report painted a nasty picture about how she had been some mob boss's mistress and how she clashed with his legal wife and ended up beaten for it.

Then came the financial trail-a domestic account transferring a full hundred million to a foreign account under the name Horace Boyd.

Jeff's hands shook, and his thoughts scattered into silence.

Could his daughter actually have done something like that?