Chapter 271

About thirty minutes later, the car rolled to a stop at the gates of Elepdon Sanatorium.

The courtyard hadn't changed; it still carried that quiet charm Eleanor knew so well. But the peace was instantly broken by the sound of bickering. On the patio, Dyer and David were hunched over a chessboard, locked in one of their endless battles.

"You can't just take your move back! That's blatant cheating!" Dyer snapped, stabbing a finger at the board.

David's face reddened. "Cheating? You're blind, old man. Maybe if you cleaned your glasses once in a while,you'd see the board properly!"

Eleanor couldn't help but smile helplessly at the sight. Between the two of them, they were close to two hundred years old, yet they bickered with the energy of squabbling schoolboys.

She cleared her throat softly as she walked over.

At once, both men stopped mid-argument and looked her way.

When they recognized her, their stern expressions melted into delight.

"Well, look who it is!" Dyer laughed, rising to his feet and ushering her toward a chair. "What wind blew you here today?"

"You should've told us in advance," David added,puffing up his cheeks. "We could've prepared something special for you."

Eleanor wasted no time. "I actually came because need your advice and your help."

She explained the current trouble looming over the Stewart Group and how the Perry family was pressing down hard. The chessboard was forgotten the moment she finished.

Dyer's brows knitted together, and he let out a disapproving huff. "So Nolan can't even hold his own ground? He needs you to carry the burden for him?That boy isn't fit for you."

David's palm came down hard on the table. "Exactly!That boy is nothing but a disappointment. You deserve better. We'll help you find someone worthy."

Their words left Eleanor torn between feeling touched and exasperated.

She knew their anger was only born of concern for her, yet she couldn't let them misjudge Nolan so easily.

"Don't tease me like that," she said softly but firmly."He's not weak, and he isn't careless. He simply doesn't want me to bear the brunt of this fight."

The seriousness in her tone silenced them.

The two old men exchanged a glance, their playful banter fading into thoughtful quiet.

After a long pause, Dyer finally muttered, "Tyler's grown far too bold these last few years. Sitting so high above everyone else has only made him reckless."

David leaned back in his chair, his voice steady."Politcs and business were never meant to mix.That's the golden rule."

Turning to Eleanor, he continued, "Now telI us, what exactly do you want us to do?"

Eleanor had already guessed they wouldn't turn her away.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. "The Stewart Group's so-called tax scandal started with the CFO's personal dealings. If no one had stirred things up, it never would've turned into this storm. What I need is for you to remind Tyler that Elepdon isn't his family's playground, and he doesn't get to throw his weight around here." Not wanting their frustration with Nolan to deepen,she sweetened her request with a little bait. "David,your paper on nerve repair is still missing crucial clinical data, isn't it? And Dyer, that royal-era bronze vase you've been chasing, the one that slipped away at the last auction. I may know where it ended up."

That got them. Their eyes lit with interest at once.

David was ever the medical fanatic, while Dyer was the collector who lived for rare antiques.

Eleanor had played straight into their passions.

David coughed into his fist, pretending to hesitate."Since you've put it that way, we'll see what we can do."

Dyer didn't waste words. He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. His tone was calm but left no room for argument. "It's me. Make sure the Stewart Group's matter is handled properly. No outside interference.Do it now."

He ended the call with a decisive snap of his fingers across the screen.

Eleanor could finally breathe easier. The Perry family's attempt to twist the tax issue to their advantage was already dead in the water.

She stood up and gave them both a deep bow."Thank you, Dyer. Thank you, David."

Dyer waved her gratitude aside with mock irritation."Enough of that. We don't need thanks. Just remember, if Nolan ever treats you unfairly,we'll set him straight for you."

Eleanor smiled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."