Chapter 86

By the time Nathaniel stepped out of the bathroom, Eleanor was no longer in the bedroom. He paused, momentarily stunned, before exiting the room.

Eleanor was slipping into her shoes by the door.

Nathaniel's expression darkened as he looked at her. "Where are you going?"

"Home," Eleanor replied without even turning to face him.

Nathaniel's lips pressed into a thin line, and the coldness in his eyes intensified. But Eleanor ignored him and opened the door.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Nathaniel alone in the spacious house. He turned around, frustration boiling over, and kicked the trash can, sending it toppling over.

Eleanor didn't notice Nathaniel's outburst. She kept the cufflinks in her bag, contemplating tossing them into a trash can as she walked past one. But her hand hovered in midair for a long time, and she couldn't bring herself to let them go.

Just then, her phone rang.

"You're not asleep yet, are you, Elle?" Caroline's voice was brimming with excitement. "I've got some great news for you."

"I'm wide awake. Go on," Eleanor replied, slipping the cufflinks back into her handbag as she spoke. "The television drama rights to your latest comic have been secured. Are you familiar with Magnolia Pictures? It's a major production company!"

Eleanor nodded, though Caroline couldn't see her. "Yeah. That is good news. And?"

Caroline clicked her tongue. "I know you used to be a wealthy man's wife, and this sort of money might not mean much to you. But you can't deny that this is a major collaboration. Plus, once this deal goes through, the rights to your comics will be selling like hotcakes! That's why we have to give it our all this time!"

"Great. Do your best," Eleanor said, her tone casual.

"Wait a minute. Why am I the one who's doing my best? What about you?" Caroline protested.

"Haven't I given you full authority to represent me?" Eleanor countered.

"Well, yes, but we could close the deal much faster if you were directly involved in the negotiations," Caroline argued.

Eleanor stopped in her tracks. "I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"No reason. If you can secure it, great. If not, then forget it."

Eleanor's resolute and carefree attitude left Caroline momentarily speechless.

"Is that all?" Eleanor asked.

"No, wait!" Caroline hurriedly interjected. "How about we meet with the collaborator just once, Elle? I told the editor-in-chief that you'd be there. I won't be able to explain myself if you don't show up."

Eleanor sighed, her resolve wavering. "Fine. Just once."

"Great! I'll set it up and let you know the details," Caroline said, relief evident in her voice.

Eleanor ended the call and continued walking, her thoughts a tangled mess. She knew this collaboration could be a turning point for her career, but the thought of facing Nathaniel again, even indirectly, made her stomach churn.

As she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to take another dramatic turn—one she wasn't sure she was ready for.