Chapter 297

Eleanor took her time before finally giving a small nod."Alright, let me have a look," she replied.

Beneath her calm exterior, Eleanor was determined to find out whether Elora's pain was real or just an act.

She stepped up to the guest room door and gave it a gentle knock. Inside, Elora leaned against the headboard, lost in her book. When the door opened,Elora started to get up.

Fannie hurried to her side, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Don't move, Elora. You're still healing."

Fannie then shared the real reason why they had come.

Elora listened, and her expression became a mix of relief and embarrassment. "Thank you, Eleanor," she murmured, calmly offering her wrist, its bruises clear to see.

Taking a seat beside her, Eleanor began examining Elora.

It was obvious that Elora's body was worn down by long-term neglect and stress.

Everything about her condition supported the truth of her story. There was no hint she was pretending.

Yet, Eleanor couldn't shake a subtle sense of discomfort.

It was so subtle that she couldn't even put it into words.

She had no desire to doubt Elora, especially with Nolan regarding her as family.

Maybe she was simply letting her thoughts spiral.

Eleanor masked any concern with a composed smile before speaking. "You're fine for now. Just remember to look after yourself from now on," she advised.

Fannie let out a quiet sigh, finally at ease.

With a courteous nod, Eleanor excused herself and made her way to the living room. Nolan trailed after her, and she turned to face him. "I got to go," she announced.

Nolan instinctively reached out, not wanting her to leave so soon.

It had been days since they had really connected,and he longed for her company. Still,Eleanor paid no mind to his obvious longing,holding up her phone as if to prove a point. "My mom just messaged. She wants me home early," she explained.

Nolan just watched her go, unable to find the words to make her stay.

Once she left through the grand gates of the villa, she immediately called for the Benton family's driver.

The crisp air outside offered a small sense of relief from her tangled thoughts.

Without her realizing it, Nolan stood quietly by the upstairs window, watching her.

Was she telling the truth just now?

If her mom truly wanted her home right away, she would have sent a car without delay. There was no way she would have been left waiting.

But then,what was the real reason she lied to him?

Letting little things slide had always been her way. On paper, Elora's arrival shouldn't have rattled her at all.

Still, he had messed up. His recent detachment had left Eleanor feeling neglected.

He needed to figure out how to set things right between them.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and Erick's name flashed across the screen.

"Boss, I owe you an apology. You trusted me to send Colson and his family away in three days, but l couldn't get it done. I've discovered they're plotting something behind your back. It's already in motion,and this time, the target seems to be your fiancée.The details are still blurry, but I'll dig deeper until I have answers."

Trouble brewing for Eleanor?

A shadow crossed Nolan's face, his mood turning icy."Make sure someone is keeping watch over Eleanor at all times. Her safety comes first. And double our efforts to expose whatever they're planning."

Without missing a beat, Erick responded. "Will do."

Nolan had no idea that his decision was misguided,missing the true danger lurking beneath the surface.That single mistake almost cost him the woman he cherished most.

But that was a story for another day.

As Nolan began climbing the stairs, a gentle voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. "Nolan?" Elora's words trembled with uncertainty.

She lingered near the steps, her eyes anxious.

"Maybe it's better if I find somewhere else to stay,"she suggested. "I get the feeling Eleanor's upset.Women usually trust their instincts, and I don't want to cause any tension between you two."

Seeing Elora's willingness to step back, even when she was still recovering, softened something in Nolan.

"Eleanor isn't mad at you. She's only frustrated because I haven't been around much lately. You don't need to worry about it. I used to be with her almost all the time," Nolan explained, a hint of fondness brightening his tone as he remembered the old days.

Only then did it truly dawn on Nolan that Eleanor was hurt because he had grown distant.

They had always been close, practically inseparable,but lately, he had let that slip. The fact that she hadn't confronted him or thrown accusations his way made him realize just how patient she was.

A quiet chuckle slipped from Nolan at the thought. He looked back at Elora. "You just focus on getting some rest. Leave the worrying to me." With that,he disappeared into his study.

Reaching for the flashy little romance guidebook he hadn't finished, Nolan settled in and began reading,determined to make things right.