Chapter 266

Eleanor's eyes sharpened instantly, a frosty edge cutting through the tension.

Clutching the notebook against her chest, she stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Nolan. Her gaze pierced the heavily made-up woman standing arrogantly before them.

"Mind your words," Eleanor said icily. "This used to be an orphanage. We're simply retrieving what belongs here."

Nolan's face mirrored Eleanor's frost; his stare hardened like frozen steel.

How could Wray,barely a distant relative of his, dare to sully Eleanor's reputation?

He was practically inviting disaster.

A shiver ran down Wray's spine under Nolan's relentless glare, yet he forced calm over his features.

Norwood's backing had fortified his position, while Nolan had lost everything.Why tremble before him?

Moreover, with a beautiful companion around, he couldn't let Nolan have the upper hand.

Steeling himself, Wray lifted his chin and projected confidence, though it rang hollow. "This site is now part of Stewart Group's major Usepsall development.Forget that tattered notebook; you won't touch a single page!"

He motioned to the bodyguards behind him,signaling an escalation. "Grab the notebook from them!"

Tension crackled immediately across the room.

Suddenly, a piercing ringtone shattered the standoff.

Irritated, Wray yanked out his phone and answered without glancing at the caller ID. "Who is this? Don't you know I'm busy?" The voice on the line stopped him cold. Arrogance drained from his features, replaced by stark shock.

Beads of chilly sweat formed on his forehead, his skin grew ghostly pale, and his voice quivered with panic. "What? This can't be... Fine, fine, I'm on my way!"

Shaking violently, Wray ended the call. When he turned toward Nolan, the prior smugness had vanished entirely, leaving sheer terror in its place.

Even panicked, he tried to assert dominance,blurting out a threat to mask his fear. "I'll let this slide now!Next time, I'll settle scores with you!"

He bolted, abandoning the stunning woman entirely.

"Move! Let's go!" he shouted as he urged his men forward.

The group scattered chaotically, leaving the glamorous woman frozen, dumbfounded by their abrupt departure.

Eleanor observed the spectacle, eyebrows drawn in confusion.

What could have frightened an arrogant Wray so completely?

Nolan's brow furrowed. He was equally perplexed.

Could the company be facing trouble?

For the moment, those worries took a back seat.

Ensuring Eleanor completed her task mattered more than speculative concerns.

Gently brushing dust from her shoulder, he murmured, "Ignore him. Let's get this to Myah first."

They had only just arrived at the Hope House when Nolan got a call from Erick.

Eleanor wasn't able to catch the details, yet she noticed Nolan's face grow darker with concern.

Once he ended the call, Eleanor pressed, "What happened?"

His lips pressed into a tight line, voice low and steady. "The Perry family has intervened."

Trudy's grandfather wielded immense influence,capable of covertly undermining the Stewart Group.

This time, they had seized an entire quarter of overseas shipments, citing customs irregularities,striking at Stewart Group's financial lifeline.

No wonder Wray had been terrified earlier.

Although he no longer led the Stewart Group,standing idle was impossible. The empire represented his grandfather's lifetime of toil and the family's enduring foundation.

Still, Eleanor didn't need the full story; he couldn't bear to burden her with fear.

Meeting her gaze with regret, he said, "I'm sorry,Eleanor, I can't accompany you inside. A driver will pick you up afterward."

Eleanor sensed the weight of the crisis in his tense demeanor. He offered no details, so she didn't push any further.

Eleanor nodded softly. "Understood. You handle your matters first."

Then she opened the car door and stepped out.

Nolan watched until she entered the Hope House,then drove away silently.

Eleanor carried the heavy notebook into the courtyard.

Myah sat on a small stool, glasses perched on her nose,darning a child's worn clothing.

Spotting Eleanor, she set aside her tools, her expression brightening. "Eleanor, you're here."

Eleanor nodded, extending the notebook.

"| found it, Myah. Here."

Myah's hands remained folded; instead, her gaze softened.

"Open it. See for yourself." Curious, Eleanor obeyed, opening the fragile notebook carefully.

The pages were yellowed and delicate, each carrying decades of memories.

She turned slowly, scanning the names, admission dates, and brief notes for every child.

Her fingers froze on one entry.

Right there, written in bold letters, stood her name-Eleanor Warren.

A small, faded photo was attached.

The infant in the photograph lay swaddled in a soft blanket, appearing only a few months old. Her face was angelic, and her large, round eyes glimmered.

Intricate clothing hinted she had not come from ordinary circumstances.

Beside her rested a finely carved wooden rabbit.

The photograph radiated love, care, and protection. Eleanor's heart pounded as unfamiliar emotions swelled inside her.

Myah, standing beside her, spoke gently, a faint sigh accompanying her words. "When parents lose a child, the suffering is theirs alone. The child grows up and moves forward, but parents endure the torment continuously."

Her hand rested lightly on Eleanor's shoulder.

"Try to understand them, Eleanor. These years have weighed on them too."

With that, Myah stepped away, leaving Eleanor in quiet reflection.

Eleanor lingered over the photograph, lost in thought, emotions swirling silently.