Chapter 248

After Nolan and Eleanor finished the cake, night had completely fallen.

As they walked through the hotel lobby,they suddenly ran into Wray.

He stepped out of the elevator with a crowd around him,brimming with confidence.

With his new position in hand, he was eager to host banquets and win over hearts.

The moment he spotted Nolan, his steps faltered.

A senior executive, eager to curry favor, rushed to speak. "Mr. Stewart, you're so ambitious and full of promise. Under your leadership, the Stewart Group will surely reach new heights! Not like someone here,who's so blinded by a woman that he's lost all reason!"

As he spoke, he shot Nolan a mocking glance.

Others quickly chimed in,echoing his words, "Exactly!"

Wray basked in the praise, his smile wide and smug.

Nolan, however, acted as if he heard nothing. He kept walking without sparing a glance.

Taking this as a sign of weakness, the executive grew bolder.

"You mustn't follow Nolan's example-falling for a divorced woman! He's nearly dragged the Stewart Group into disgrace!" His voice rang loud in the lobby.

Eleanor's face darkened at the mention.

At that, Nolan finally stopped. He turned his head slowly, his cold eyes fixing on the man. His voice was flat and sharp. "Is that so?"

Just three words, yet they struck like a bucket ofice water.

The executive froze, his smugness vanishing. The air itself seemed to grow heavy, and no one dared to breathe.

Lately, Nolan's gentle side with Eleanor had made them forget who he truly was-the man who had once seized control of the Stewart Group with an iron hand.That ruthless edge had never lefthim. The executive's legs buckled. His lipstrembled,but no sound came out. Wray cursed him silently. What a fool!

Forcing a smile, Wray quickly stepped in. "Nolan,don't mind their nonsense. You just focus on Eleanor.The company's in good hands with me. No need to worry."

But Nolan and Eleanor brushed past him without a word.

Wray's smile stiffened.

Damn them.

Once he and Brodie took full control, he would grind Nolan beneath his heel.

Eleanor and Nolan, unfazed, returned to the villa in Regal Heights.

Nolan looked at her, his Adam's apple shifting.

After a pause, he spoke softly, almost hesitant."Eleanor, can we share a roomn tonight?"

Afraid she would refuse, he quickly added, "I swear, I won't do anything."

Eleanor was slipping off her coat when his cautious gaze met hers. Her heart softened.

Yet she couldn't bend her principles. "No," she replied firmly.

The light in Nolan's eyes dimmed at once.

Seeing his disappointment, Eleanor felt a pang of sympathy.

After a moment, she offered a small concession. "But you can move into the room next to mine."

To Nolan,even that was a blessing.

He immediately turned to go upstairs and pack.

Finally,he could move closer to her.

But just then, Fannie popped out from behind the sofa,with a pitiful look at Eleanor.

"Eleanor! Nolan bullied me! We prepared a surprise for him, and as soon as it ended, he had Erick drag me away! I worked the whole day and didn't even get a bite of cake!" she cried, full of accusation.

Eleanor's face twisted with exasperation.

She turned toward Nolan, who had just reached the stairs. He hadn't taken a single step up.

"You should stay in your original room," she said coldly. Nolan froze.

He clenched his teeth, his glare cutting straight at Fannie-the culprit.

But Fannie only stuck her tongue out playfully,unfazed by his murderous stare.

Nolan's hopes of moving closer to Eleanor were dashed, his frustration plain to see.

Yet he could neither scold his sister nor the woman he loved.

In the end,he called Erick, dragging him out of sleep,and rattled off a string of work instructions.

Still half-dreaming,Erick grew even more confused as he listened.

What kind of boss handed out tasks in the middle of the night?

He felt utterly wronged.