Chapter 223

The banquet hall was alive with chatter and the shimmer of evening gowns, the scent of perfume thick in the air.

Music floated over the crowd, and everyone seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the main event.

But Nolan didn't notice any of it. He stood at the edge of the stage, frowning, scanning the room with a growing unease. Eleanor was nowhere to be seen.

Lillian, tasked with.greeting guests, hurried over. "Nolan, where's Eleanor? Shouldn't she be here by now?"

He shook his head and pulled-out his phone, dialing Eleanor's number again.

The same unreachable tone rang out.

Something was off.

Since Eleanor had agreed to this engagement, she wouldn't just disappear.

His heart started to pound.

Without a second thought, Nolan rushed toward her dressing room, Lillian close behind.

But when they arrived, the room was empty.

Eleanor was gone.

Panic tightened Nolan's chest. He barked an order tothe hotel manager who had trailed them, "Check all the surveillance cameras. Now!"

Just then, Erick appeared,pale and tense.

"Boss, there's trouble at the Benton estate," he whispered."It's on fire, and the flames are spreading fast.Also, the investigation into Miss Warren's connection to the Bentons is complete."

He swallowed hard before adding, "She is their daughter."

Nolan froze.

The villa was burning, and Eleanor, their daughter...she had to be there.

She was in danger!

His mind snapped into focus.

At that moment, the staff who had been looking for Eleanor came back, out of breath. "Mr. Stewart, we checked the footage. Miss Warren left through the back door about thirty minutes ago. She seemed to be heading straight for the Benton estate."

That was all Nolan needed to hear. He didn't hesitate.

A cold, determined edge settled over him as he strode toward the exit. "Get the car ready. We're going to the Bentons'," he barked.

"I'm coming with you!" Lillian exclaimed, trying to follow, but Nolan's gaze pinned her in place.

"Stay here and manage the guests."

Frustration flared across her face, but she knew the responsibility rested on her, so she reluctantly nodded.

Hidden in the corridor's shadows, Lainey watched everything with a cruel smile spreading across her face.

By the time they get there, there would be no one left to save.

Meanwhile, as Nolan's sleek Bentley raced down the road, Eleanor had just gotten out of the taxi.

Ahead of her, flames shot high into the sky.

The villa looked like a massive bonfire, and the air was heavy with the sharp sting of smoke.

She tried to run toward it, but security had already set up a long barricade. "You can't go in there! It's too dangerous!" one of them shouted. Eleanor ignored him and held onto the ripped hem of her dress, determined to get inside.

"Calm down! Wait for the firefighters!" the man pleaded, stepping in her way.

Calm down?

Her parents were trapped inside.How could she wait calmly?

She hadn't even gotten to call them Mom and Dad yet.

There was no time to think. With a fierce glare, she shoved past the guards and charged straight into the flames.

Smoke wrapped around her instantly, burning her lungs and skin.

She coughed, tears running down her face but she didn't stop! Nothing was going to hold her back.