Chapter 210

After scanning McCollum's message, Nolan let out a low laugh.

Eleanor was the type to never accept being taken advantage of-not even for a moment.

She wasn't a pushover; she hunted in silence, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to strike.

That resilience of hers always left him satisfied.

Horace was brazen to think he could meddle with his girl and get away with it.

Kaiden,noticing Nolan slip his phone into his pocket,stepped forward with deference. "Mr. Stewart, all preparations are complete. Our team will attend the event posing as members of the Zerovia Chamber of Commerce.They'll be ready to act at your command."

A faint, chilling smile touched Nolan's lips, though his eyes stayed hard as steel. "I'll be there myself."

The news made Kaiden stiffen,sweat prickling his brow.

Nolan's safety was a matter of national concern. If anything ever happened to him, Zerovia's entire economy could spiral.

But arguing with him was out of the question.

All Kaiden could do was silently double and triple their security-determined that nothing, absolutely nothing would go wrong.

Nolan found himself genuinely intrigued by what was coming.

He couldn't help but picture Eleanor draped in the traditional ceremonial attire of this country-curious to see how she would look.

Elsewhere, Eleanor sat perfectly still, her body limp and compliant as the women around her fussed with pins and layers of fabric.

She gazed at her own reflection, her face a mask of resignation.

The woman staring back from the mirror looked almost unrecognizable-her skin thick with powder,garish streaks of blush smeared across her cheeks,eyelids painted in jarring colors as if shewere about to take the stage in some tragic farce.

The maids around her gasped and gushed, voices full of exaggerated praise. "Absolutely stunning!"

"She looks just like a goddess!"

Eleanor's lips twitched in a half-hearted attempt at a smile.

Dressed like this, she doubted even Myah would know who she was.

While she drifted in her thoughts, a familiar figure wove quietly through the crowd.

McCollum had arrived, slipping into the chaos as if he belonged there. He caught Eleanor's eye and gave her the briefest nod.

Everything was ready.

A subtle relief washed over Eleanor, her anxious heart growing just a little lighter.

The moment had arrived.

A pair of maids helped her stand and gently steered her toward the bustling front hall.

Her scarlet gown swept behind her, long and weighty,shimmering with gold thread and studded jewels-every inch radiating extravagant wealth.

As she neared McCollum, she slowed, speaking so softly only he could hear, saying, "If anything goes wrong, find Horace's wife,Darlene."

For a heartbeat, McCollum's eyes grew sharper, then the mask returned. He dipped his head, his tone serious. "You watch your back."

Then,taking advantage of the commotion, McCollum pressed a small dagger into Eleanor's palm, his movement quick and unnoticed.

The icy blade sent a chill through her fingers,but she accepted it without hesitation. She might need it.

Inside the front hall, the festivities were already roaring.

The noise was deafening-voices, laughter, and clinking glasses shook the old beams overhead.

Men with flushed cheeks toasted Horace, hollering over the music.

"I bet that Stewart kid is about ready to explode by now!" one shouted, and the crowd roared its agreement.

"Exactly! Anyone who tries to go toe-to-toe with Horace ought to know he's playing with fire!"

The whole crowd erupted in laughter, sharing in Horace's moment of glory. Horace tipped back his glass, draining it in one long pull, a cocky grin plastered across his face.

He signaled to his right-hand man with a sweeping gesture. "Once this ceremony's done, send Mr.Stewart a lavish gift. He deserves to hear the good news firsthand."

This wasn't just a taunt anymore-it was a direct challenge,meant to sting.

Across the room, Kaiden sat stiffly at his table, casting a wary glance at the man beside him, sweat beading along his brow.

Nolan sat utterly still, tapping the table in a slow,steady rhythm-his face as unreadable as stone.

But Kaiden knew that the quieter Nolan seemed,the more dangerous things had become.

Horace had no idea what kind of storm he had just summoned.

Suddenly, someone's voice rose above the din, cutting through the laughter. "Here comes Miss Warren!"