Chapter 21

Chapter21

Eleanor understood that look from Nathaniel all too well. It was a mixture of warning and contempt. Beneath his composed demeanor and gentle facade, she knew he had a heart as cold as ice.

Her gaze fell to the scattered papers on the floor - the contract he had ripped apart without a second glance. It had taken every ounce of her courage to present that agreement, but he hadn't even bothered to read it. Because to him, it didn't matter.

Her feelings didn't matter. Her decisions didn't matter.

Days passed without seeing Nathaniel. The next time she caught a glimpse of him was in a news article covering a high-profile business meeting in Crestwood City. The photograph showed him in a tailored charcoal suit, his chiseled features as striking as ever, with that faint, practiced smile playing on his lips.

Eleanor quickly closed the article. As she did, a notification popped up - her fans were asking about updates on her latest webcomic.

Being a webtoon artist wasn't exactly prestigious in high society circles. While art appreciation was considered essential among the elite, their tastes leaned heavily toward classical paintings and sculptures. Her romance-themed comics, despite their massive online following, were dismissed as frivolous entertainment.

After responding to some comments, Eleanor pulled out her drawing tablet. Just as she began sketching, her phone buzzed.

Julian's message appeared: "The Whitakers are throwing a welcome party for me tomorrow night. You're coming, right?"

Eleanor frowned. Before she could reply, another text came through: "After waiting five hours for you at the airport the other day, you owe me this much."

She hesitated. She had explicitly told Julian not to expect her at the airport. That was two days ago. Whether he truly waited that long was impossible to verify.

With a sigh, she typed: "Fine. I'll be there."

A digital invitation appeared on her screen. Eleanor noted the time and venue, then returned to her work. She timed her preparations perfectly, but just as she was about to leave, Nathaniel's car pulled into the driveway.

He stepped out, his eyes immediately zeroing in on her evening gown. "Where do you think you're going?"

Eleanor remained silent.

Ethan, her driver, waited by the front door. She reached for the car handle, but Nathaniel slammed it shut before she could open it. Her hand barely escaped being crushed.

"Inside. Now," Nathaniel commanded, his expression unreadable.

"No," Eleanor stood her ground.

Nathaniel produced a newspaper seemingly out of nowhere and flung it at her. It struck her shoulder before falling to the ground. The bold headline screamed alongside a photo of her recent altercation with Olivia.

"No? Do you want to become the city's newest scandal?" His voice was ice cold.

Today's Bonus Offer",