Chapter 38

Finally, Eleanor returned to her rented apartment. She was about to remove her makeup when her editor-in-chief from the online publishing platform called.

They informed her that her work violated the site's regulations and had decided to terminate their collaboration with her unilaterally.

Eleanor frowned and asked, "Which rules did I break?"

"Our legal department received a complaint stating that the male lead in your comic... infringes on someone's publicity rights."

Instantly, she knew who was behind this—Nathaniel. Although he never paid much attention to her activities, he wasn't entirely unaware of her life.

He must have heard what Caroline told her earlier and made a simple phone call, costing her her job!

"I understand." Eleanor took a deep breath and hung up.

She initially planned to call and confront Nathaniel but changed her mind at the last second. It wasn't because she was in the wrong. She simply knew better than to challenge him, as it would only bring her more trouble.

Take her current situation, for example—a comic character somehow violated his publicity rights. Clearly, the absurdity of the accusation wouldn't stop him.

At that moment, she received a call from the hospital, instructing her to settle the medical fees for the last period. "We've just contacted Mr. Carter, and he informed us that you will be responsible for Ms. Moore's expenses from now on."

"Alright, I'll be at the hospital tomorrow." Eleanor's response was calm, but her grip on the phone tightened reflexively as she ended the call.

She had no choice but to check her bank account.

Despite having worked for years, she rarely used the credit card Nathaniel gave her, leaving her with modest savings. At this point, her savings were only enough to cover one cycle of medical expenses.

Eleanor turned off her phone and leaned back on the couch, slowly closing her eyes. For a moment, she felt as though she was standing on the edge of a cliff, with everyone around her eager to push her off.

The Carters had timed their move perfectly, hadn't they?

The next day, Eleanor went to the hospital and settled the medical bill. Thomas Bennett, the butler at the Carter residence, called and informed her that Margaret wanted to see her at home.

In response, Eleanor decisively replied, "I won't be coming back."

Thomas sighed. "Ms. Thompson, what's the point of this? No matter what, you're Mr. and Mrs. Carter's daughter. If you continue holding a grudge against them—"

"I'm not holding a grudge against them," Eleanor interrupted him. "And my mind is clear."

"But—"

"If that's all, goodbye." She hung up immediately.

Her gaze slowly shifted to the patient in the ward, who had been in a deep sleep for eight years. Even though the doctors said her condition was permanent, Eleanor refused to give up on her.

She gently caressed the woman's cheek and whispered softly, "Hi, Mom."

But Diana Moore, her adoptive mother, could no longer respond or protect her. The last time she had protected Eleanor was when she stopped that brute eight years ago.

That... was also the last time Eleanor had felt a mother's love.

A caregiver entered the room, surprised to see Eleanor. "Ms. Thompson? It's been a while."

"Hey. Thank you for all your hard work."