Chapter 24

From the shadows of the room, Allard stepped forward with hesitation. "Mr. Todd, you've never paid much attention to Eleanor, so it makes sense you wouldn't know. The truth is, your grandmother arranged all of this behind the scenes. Over the years, Eleanor has given everything to this company,and we've all seen the effort she put in."

Upon hearing this, Jonny almost laughed.

To him,Eeanor wasn't some tireless worker.

She was an opportunist chasing money and recognition.

She built herself on lies. What real skill could she possibly offer?

The company would survive just fine without her. Driven by that thought, Jonny fixed his gaze on Allard. "Get me in front of the Stewart Group's investment manager. I'll handle the negotiations myself."

"Right away, Mr. Todd!" Allard hurried out, but not long after, he returned with his head low and shoulders heavy. "Sir, they refused to budge. No matter what I said, they wouldn't reconsider. I don't think there's any chance left."

Fury surged through Jonny as his fists tightened.

If the Stewart Group wanted to pull out, so be it. He would secure another investor.

The Usepsall project was a treasure waiting to be claimed, and he refused to believe there wasn't another company eager to profit from it.

Allard was waved off with little concern, and Jonny strode back into his office.

Every effort he made to salvage the situation ended the same way. He humbled himself, reached out to one firm after another, yet not a single company dared to back him.

Each response carried the same excuse-they couldn't afford to offend the Stewart Group.

Defeat pressed down on him as he collapsed onto the sofa, his temples throbbing with anger.

For years, the Todd Group had run smoothly, and it always seemed to trace back to the time he married Eleanor.

Could it really have been her doing all along?

The very idea made him scoff.

No way.

Eleanor was nothing more than a plain, uninspiring wife. What did she know about running a corporation?

It had to be pure luck, nothing more.

Agitated, Jonny yanked at his tie, then stormed out to head home. The moment he stepped through the door,Lainey appeared in his path. "Why are you here?" he asked,his tone sharp.

Even though he understood she had acted with good intentions, Jonny couldn't forget the humiliation he had suffered that day. The memory still stung, and his words came out sharper than he meant.

Clutching her dress tightly, Lainey wondered if his coldness was because of Eleanor.

Men,she thought bitterly, could never be trusted.

Luckily, she had already laid the groundwork. Vickie knew of her desire to move in and eventually marry Jonny.

Once she secured her place as his wife, the Todd fortune would naturally fall into her hands.

Then she wouldn't need to bend over backwards to keep him happy.

She put on a sorrowful expression for Vickie's benefit. "Vickie, it feels like Jonny doesn't want me here.I should go and visit you another day."

She made a move to walk away.

Jonny hadn't told her to leave, and confusion flickered across his face. Just as he opened his mouth,Vickie cut him off.

"Jonny, you're exhausted from carrying the company every day. You deserve someone gentle and considerate by your side," she said warmly. "Lainey should live here with you. You're still young, and it's only natural to build your feelings together."

Her smile broadened, pride in her tone."You wasted three years shackled to that thankless country woman Eleanor.Now that she's out of the picture, it's time to give Lainey the place she deserves. I'll speak to her father tomorrow and finalize your wedding date."

The Gilbert family couldn't compare to the Todds in power, but Lainey had grown up under Vickie's watchful eye. Her beauty and her gentle manner pleased Vickie, who had already decided she was the right woman for Jonny.

Emma, brimming with excitement, clasped Lainey's hand. "This is wonderful! You're finally going to be my sister-in-law. I've been waiting for this forever!"

Emma had despised Eleanor from the beginning,and in her mind Lainey was the perfect fit for her brother.

Jonny's gaze shifted from his mother to his sister,then landed on Lainey. Something gnawed at him.

Was she deliberately pressing for marriage?

That didn't sound like her.

She was supposed to be gentle, sincere, incapable of scheming.

She must really care for him if she wanted to stay by his side.

As he was reassured by the thought, his voice lost its edge. "Lainey, forgive me. I've been on edge with work, and I didn't mean to sound harsh. I'm glad you're here. Moving in is fine, but the wedding will have to wait. The company demands too much of me right now."

Patience had always been Lainey's strength.

Sliding her arm around his, she leaned against him with a soft smile. "Jonny, you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who's been selfish, bothering you when you're exhausted."

Her tenderness chipped away at his defenses.

He drew her into his arms and brushed a kiss against her hair. "You're amazing, Lainey."

From the corner of the room, Vickie and Emma exchanged knowing glances before quietly slipping away to their bedrooms.

The moment Lainey settled into the Todd household,Eleanor would be nothing but a memory. The thought filled them with quiet satisfaction.