Chapter 22

Chapter22

Eleanor lowered her gaze, staring at the photograph in the magazine. In it, she looked disheveled and utterly humiliated. Yet, she remained calm. Without a word, she picked up the magazine and tossed it into the nearest trash bin. Then, she reopened the car door.

"Let's go," she told Ethan, her voice steady.

Ethan hesitated, glancing nervously at Nathaniel.

Nathaniel stood there, his expression unreadable, his eyes fixed on Eleanor.

Eleanor didn’t look at him. She didn’t even spare him a second glance as she rolled up the window.

As the window closed, Nathaniel turned and walked into the mansion without hesitation.

He wasn’t looking at her, but Eleanor’s eyes followed him, watching his retreating figure. She knew what his silence meant. He wasn’t going to accompany her to the gala. If she faced ridicule, she would face it alone.

But then again, Eleanor was used to being alone. She always had been.

The gala was far more extravagant than Eleanor had anticipated.

The Whitakers had never hidden Julian’s identity. They had simply been indifferent toward him, making it clear who their preferred heir was when they sent him abroad years ago.

Now that he was back, they were throwing this lavish celebration in his honor.

There had to be a reason behind it, but Julian hadn’t shared it with Eleanor. And she hadn’t asked. After all, it had nothing to do with her.

As she scanned the room for Julian, a voice called out, "Well, well, you actually showed up!"

Eleanor didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She had no intention of engaging, but just as she was about to walk away, someone grabbed her arm.

"Why the rush? Didn’t you hear me?" Olivia’s voice was sharp. She rarely traveled alone, and as she gripped Eleanor’s arm, her two friends stepped forward, blocking Eleanor’s path.

Just like they had in high school.

Eleanor clenched her fists and turned to face Olivia. "Do you need something?" she asked, her tone calm but firm.

Under Eleanor’s gaze, Olivia faltered for a moment.

Eleanor wasn’t as strikingly beautiful as Isabella, but her porcelain skin seemed to glow against the deep crimson of her gown. Her eyes, though not large, were piercingly clear, giving her an air of quiet confidence as she stared down Olivia.

Olivia recovered quickly, scoffing. "What’s with the attitude? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Eleanor smiled faintly. "Are you trying to start something with me here?"

Her voice was calm, but her body was tense, her arms stiff at her sides. She looked ready to defend herself if necessary.

It was exactly what she’d done that day.

Olivia’s expression darkened. Just as she was about to retort, another voice cut through the tension. "Elle, you made it!"

Olivia’s face twisted at the sound of the voice.

At the same time, the coldness in Eleanor’s eyes softened.

"I was thinking of picking you up," Julian said, ignoring everyone else as he approached Eleanor.

"It’s a grand event," Eleanor replied. "I can manage on my own."",