Chapter 215

Lainey had no clue what was really in that document or what Jeff was scheming.

She was about to ask about the shares when she glanced up and caught Jeff staring at her.

The warmth that usually softened his eyes was gone,replaced by a sharp, probing look.

Panic bubbled up.

What was going on?

Why was he staring at her like that?

Was the document about her?

Forcing her nerves into a polite mask, Lainey leaned in slightly,tilting her head with a soft, sweet smnile."Dad,when are we going to finalize the transfer for the shares? Didn't you say we'd handle it in a couple of days?"

Jeff's eyes flicked to the document one last time before snapping it shut. His mind was a storm.

The DNA test wouldn't lie.

Lainey was his daughter.

And he hadn't been there for her.

The mistakes, the neglect, all of it pressed on him.

He had failed to protect her, failed to guide her.

Despite those thoughts, he didn't act on impulse. He shoved the document into a nearby bag and shook his head at her request.

"No rush," he said firmly. "Let's wait until your brothers are back from Breoqua. We'll do the signing ceremony when the whole family is together."

Lainey's smile disappeared.

Wait,what?

Hadn't this been settled already?

Why drag it out?

The Benton boys' return...how would that help her?

Anger bubbled up inside her as her eyes fell on the document.Jeff's mood had clearly changed after he saw it.

What kind of nonsense had Ryland fed him?

Seeing her gaze,Jeff softened slightly, as if he could read her thoughts. "You're my daughter.Everything from your mom and me will eventually be yours. Be patient, okay? I have things to handle in the study now.Make sure you rest well."

And just like that, he got up, grabbed the document and disappeared into the study.

Lainey's eyes followed him, burning with anger.

No!

She had to get a look at that document.

Until then, she couldn't feel calm.

At the villa in Regal Heights, Eleanor woke to an odd,uncomfortable pressure against her back the next morning.

Something hard was pressing into her, and it immediately put her on edge.

Still groggy,she reached behind her to shift whatever it was, then froze.

Her fingers brushed against... something unexpected. Her eyes shot open.

Sleep evaporated in an instant.

What the hell was that?

Her heart started racing as she carefully felt again.

The texture, the thickness... it all clicked. Panic prickled up her spine.

She wanted to jump up, to put distance between herself and the source of the discomfort.

But before she could even twist, Nolan rolled over her,pinning her in place.

Eleanor's eyes went wide. "Nolan?"

His voice rumbled low, still lazy with the haze of morning, right in her ear. "You're awake. About that little move just now, were you trying to tempt me?Because if you were... well, I'm always ready."

Eleanor's face went red with a mix of shock, anger,and pure embarrassment.

She shoved against his chest with all her might. "Nolan!When did you sneak into my bed? Get off me!"