Upstairs, Rachel Lynch and Anna Hollis sat at the bedside, initially thinking that after what happened, Eleanor Hollis would surely be sent away immediately.
But a servant came to tell them that the three of them were cheerfully having dinner downstairs, making their recent commotion seem like a farce!
Rachel was so angry she was about to throw something on the floor, but thinking of the people downstairs hearing the noise, she gritted her teeth and held back.
Anna’s face was full of sadness, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Mom, do you think Dad and Grandpa don’t love us anymore?"
Rachel’s eyes flashed with malice, and she slowly leaned against the headboard.
"Anna, don’t worry, your grandmother will be back soon, right? When she returns, Eleanor will have a hard time. Your grandmother can’t stand that child, fearing Eleanor’s presence will burden the Hollis Family, so she’ll surely forcefully drive her out."
Anna felt a little more at ease hearing her say that.
However, when she thought of the three eating downstairs while she was hungry here, it made her a bit uncomfortable.
Rachel sighed, gently stroking her head.
"Think about it, Eleanor has suffered so much in the countryside over the years. Your dad and grandpa already feel guilty towards her. If you oppose her in front of them, they’ll just think you’re being unreasonable. Anna, everything in the Hollis Family is yours; no one can take it away. But you must remain calm."
Anna’s eyes reddened, and she nodded slowly.
Rachel forced a smile and then lay down on the bed.
"Let’s keep quiet for now and wait until your grandmother returns."
"Mom, I’ll listen to you."
The atmosphere upstairs was heavy while downstairs, they were enjoying their meal.
Mr. Hollis and Nicholas Hollis kept putting food in Eleanor’s bowl. Although Eleanor was somewhat uncomfortable, she patiently ate the food.
When they finished eating an hour later, she glanced outside at the sky and slowly stood up.
"It’s getting late. I’m heading back now."
Nicholas couldn’t find an excuse to keep her as, since knowing the money didn’t reach the child, his sense of guilt had only grown.
"Your uncle’s son will be brought over in the next couple of days, Eleanor. Will you come over to see him then?"
Eleanor showed no expression as she changed her shoes at the entrance.
"I’ll see about that."
Her response made the light in Nicholas’s eyes dim, but he forced a smile and walked her to the door.
"I’ll take you back."
"No need, I’ll just get a taxi."
Eleanor wasn’t comfortable being alone with him. Though they were family, after so many years without contact, emotionally, she didn’t recognize him.
"It’s hard to get a taxi here."
A rare hint of assertiveness appeared in Nicholas’s usually gentle demeanor.
Eleanor had no choice but to sit in the back, pretending to nap against the window to avoid interacting with him.
Because she had told him her address yesterday, he remembered it carefully and entered it into the navigation directly.
He knew that apartment; it was an expensive one. When she left the Quinton Family, she likely had no money to rent there.
"Is this apartment Hugo’s?"
When they stopped in front of the building, he couldn’t help but ask.
Eleanor thought there was no point in hiding it; even if she did, he would find out soon enough.
She opened the door and got out without a pause.
"Thank you for bringing me back, Mr. Hollis."
Even now, she wasn’t willing to call him Dad.
Nicholas gave a bitter smile; this child guarded against him as if he were something else. Being such a failure of a father, truly disheartening.
"Eleanor, I heard from your mother before that you and Hugo are very close."
Eleanor’s body stiffened, and her eyes turned even more sardonic.
"What, are you, like her, trying to advise me to keep my distance from Hugo, and conveniently introduce him to your precious daughter Anna?"
Nicholas had never thought of it that way; in his mind, both daughters held equal places in his heart.
"Eleanor, is that what you think of me?"
He felt a bit of pain, hurt by Eleanor’s wariness, and some sorrow, because this wariness stemmed from his past decisions.
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Eleanor’s face was full of disdain. She wouldn’t believe that just because someone had treated her to a meal, she should think kindly of them. Those in high society were the best at putting on an act.
Nicholas only felt a pang in his heart, but at this point, however she treated him was what he deserved.
"Eleanor, although your and Hugo’s situation is complicated, I believe he is the most suitable person for you. Please don’t harbor such hostility toward me. Your first marriage was unhappy because Nathaniel wasn’t a good person, but Hugo, he’s worth a try. If he truly loves you, he’ll do everything to protect you in times of trouble."
He had nothing but high praise for Hugo.
Eleanor was a bit surprised, but quickly turned away.
"Thank you, I’ll head in."
Nicholas wanted to say a bit more, but seeing the rejection in her stance, he slowly closed his mouth.
After entering the apartment, Eleanor sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
Over the years, she hoped for her parents’ love more than once, but as time went on, that hope had completely died.
Especially concerning Rachel Lynch; every encounter with her stirred uncontrollable rage.
That woman probably didn’t like her either, right?
Her lips curled with mockery as she stood, pulling the curtains to catch sight of Nicholas’s car slowly leaving.
Regarding her father, her emotions were conflicted. Until today, she could easily lash out at him.
Yet knowing he still cared about her as his daughter softened her stance.
After all, her heart softened slightly.
She sighed, went to the bathroom to freshen up, but just as she dried her face, the doorbell rang in the living room.
She only had a couple of friends, and they wouldn’t choose to come over in the middle of the night.
Eleanor furrowed her brows and looked through the peephole, spotting a stranger.
For some reason, fear gripped her, and she quickly switched off the lights in the room, continuing to observe through the peephole.
This apartment had good security; how could a stranger come knocking?
Fear crawled up Eleanor’s spine as she saw the man, masked, fiddling with something in his hands. She immediately ran to her bedroom, barricading the door, and took out her phone to call Hugo.
As she dialed, her body froze, realizing that in a moment of danger, he was the first she thought of.
Hugo’s voice was gentle, he didn’t seem to be asleep yet.
"I... there’s a stranger outside my door. He seems to be breaking in, I’m really scared."