Chapter 302

When Eleanor received Erick's message, she was already standing at the door of the Benton family's villa.

She glanced at her phone briefly, her face unreadable, then slipped it back into her bag and stepped inside.

The living room glowed with warm light. Hilda and Jeff sat together on the sofa, clearly waiting for her.

"Dad, Mom, why aren't you resting yet?" Eleanor asked in mild surprise.

Hilda rose at once, taking Eleanor's bag with gentle hands and hanging it aside. "We couldn't sleep until you came home. How was your day? Did you enjoy yourself?"

Nolan had planned everything so carefully that even Hilda had no idea about the proposal.

She only thought Eleanor had been out with Lillian.

Not wanting to worry them, Eleanor forced a small smnile. "Yes, it was nice. I'm just tired. I'd like to rest upstairs."

The moment Jeff heard the word "tired," he sprang to his feet.

"Someone help Eleanor to her room." He ordered the servants quickly.

Eleanor, too drained to argue, simply nodded and went upstairs on her own.

The instant she was gone, Hilda's smile slipped away. Concern filled her face.

She was Eleanor's mother-how could she not tell her daughter was upset?

What had happened?

Who had hurt her?

Hilda sat lost in thought, but Jeff missed the signs completely. With a yawn, he slung an arm around her shoulder. "Honey, Eleanor's gone to bed. Let's go rest too." Hilda shoved him off, her eyes flashing. "Do you not care about our daughter at all?"

Jeff straightened instantly, wide awake. "That's not fair! Of course I care. But she looked fine to me.You're overthinking."

Hilda glared at him, too angry to reply.

She was about to message Denny to investigate when her phone buzzed with a new message from him.

It was a news link.

Confused, she tapped it open.

The headline made her blood run cold.

"Breaking News! Stewart Group CEO Nolan Abandons Fiancée Mid-Proposal! Eleanor Humiliated!"

Hilda's hands trembled as she scrolled.

A photo filled the screen.

Eleanor stood alone among roses and candlelight, her expression dazed and wounded-like a child suddenly left behind.

The sight cut into Hilda's heart like a blade.

So this was why Eleanor was upset.

Nolan,that brat!

Didn't he swear he would cherish her, protect her for life?

And this-this was what he did? Hilda's fury burned.

Jeff, standing beside her, saw the headline too. His face darkened in rage.

Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and barked into it. "Denny! Take this news down. Not another second online!" No one was allowed to mock Eleanor-his brilliant, graceful daughter-as someone abandoned.

If anything, it was Nolan who should be seen as the one left behind.

"Understood," Denny replied immediately.

The next morning, Hilda rose early to prepare an elaborate breakfast with all of Eleanor's favorite dishes.

She and Jeff kept sneaking worried glances at their daughter, piling her plate with food.

"Eat more of this, sweetheart," Hilda urged softly.

"And this too," Jeff added, dropping another dish onto her plate.

Eleanor looked at the overflowing mound, then at their overly eager faces.

She understood at once-they had found out.

She herself had seen the news last night. But before long, every trace of it vanished online.

She knew Jeff must have stepped in.

Setting her utensils down, she met their anxious eyes and spoke first. "Nolan got a call during the proposal.His friend attempted suicide."

She deliberately left out Elora's namne, not wanting them to worry further.

But Jeff didn't care who it was.

All that mattered to him was that his daughter had been wronged.

Hilda quickly nudged him.under the table to stop his temper, then reached across to clasp Eleanor's cool hand.

Her voice was steady but warm."We don't know what's been happening between you and Nolan. But listen to me-no matter what, your father and I will always stand behind you. As long as we're here, no one will hurt you."

Eleanor's nose stung at her mother's words. Tears welled in her eyes. Family,love,care-things she never dared dream of in the last twenty years were now hers for real.

She squeezed Hilda's hand, her voice choked but steady. "Mom,I understand."

After breakfast, she returned to her room.

For a long time, she stared at her phone. Finally, she opened her chat with Nolan, fingers hovering over the keyboard. At last, she typed, "Are you done yet?"

The message sent.

Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes dragged into an hour. The chat remained silent.

Her message went unanswered.