Eleanor Hollis finally realized how big the rumor about her death had become, and she pressed her lips together awkwardly.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t expect it to turn out this way either."
When Xavier Crawford took her hair back then, she should have stopped him.
"Why did you suddenly decide to cut your hair short? Don’t tell me you’re trying to sever feelings like those TV shows?"
Gloria Galloway brushed her hair aside with disdain. Long hair is so good; it makes a person look more gentle.
Eleanor Hollis glanced at Hugo Quinn, noticing that he hadn’t mentioned her short hair since they met, nor had Marcus.
"I like you whether your hair is long or short; it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re happy."
Hugo Quinn said this as he popped a cherry into her mouth.
Gloria Galloway and Samantha Sullivan were caught off guard by the show of affection, but they didn’t forget what had happened to Eleanor Hollis. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
"I must say, that old man in the Quinton Family is really toxic, coming up with such a scheme. Eleanor, you have to be more careful next time."
Samantha Sullivan said this deliberately in front of Hugo Quinn, otherwise she’d feel uncomfortable inside.
Eleanor nearly escaping death this time was all because of the Quinton Family.
Eleanor Hollis tugged Samantha’s sleeve, indicating she should say less. After all, the old man is Hugo Quinn’s relative, making things too ugly wouldn’t be good for anyone.
But Gloria Galloway chimed in as well.
"That’s right, it’s so toxic. If Nathaniel Quinn had really succeeded, what would you do, Eleanor? That old man is ruthless and selfish."
"You guys, please say a little less."
Eleanor Hollis’s voice was gentle and soft, not wanting Hugo Quinn to feel embarrassed.
Hugo Quinn remained silent. Indeed, the old man’s actions were excessive; otherwise, he wouldn’t have severed ties with the Quinton Family.
The air suddenly grew quiet, and Gloria Galloway and Samantha Sullivan watched Hugo Quinn’s expression closely. Seeing that he didn’t refute, they felt relieved.
They actually knew that he was suffering too, since his feelings for Eleanor were genuine. Having family members secretly conduct such acts must have felt like betrayal to him.
"Eleanor, take care of yourself at home, and I’ll come see you next time."
Gloria Galloway’s phone rang; it was Julian Sterling calling. She hurriedly stood up and ran towards the door.
Eleanor Hollis watched her back, furrowing her brow. Gloria seemed too devoted to Julian Sterling. If that woman returned someday, what would she do?
Samantha Sullivan stood up and patted her shoulder.
"You’ve gotten skinny; take good care of yourself at home. When you’ve gained back the weight, we can go out and have a good time."
Eleanor Hollis nodded, seeing her off to the door.
But as she opened the door, she saw Evan Yancy had already arrived.
Evan Yancy looked genuinely surprised when he saw Eleanor Hollis, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Eleanor, we’re leaving now."
Samantha Sullivan waved goodbye, intending to leave, but another car suddenly stopped at the door, and Mom Sullivan stepped out.
Samantha Sullivan froze in her tracks, wanting to hide but it was already too late.
She rasped, starting to tremble all over.
"You dare call me Mom?!"
Mom Sullivan’s eyes were red with recent deceit. She had thought her daughter had severed ties with Evan Yancy, not realizing they were still secretly connected. Had she not followed quietly, she might have been oblivious for years!
Dad Sullivan got out of the car too, both of them looked at Samantha Sullivan with disappointment in their eyes.
Samantha Sullivan was terrified of such a gaze; since her brother turned into a vegetative state, she became the center of family focus.
Dad Sullivan yelled, menacingly staring at Evan Yancy.
Evan Yancy calmly held onto Samantha Sullivan. They had been keeping their relationship clandestine, believing that as long as Sullivan Family didn’t find out, they could remain together.
But they didn’t expect this day to come so soon; they’d been caught in the act.
Samantha Sullivan’s body trembled as she slowly lifted her foot, intending to walk towards them.
But Evan Yancy suddenly grabbed her hand, and his eyes were filled with reluctance.
If Samantha Sullivan went back, she’d undoubtedly face scolding.
Dad Sullivan sneered at these words.
"Who do you think you are? Evan Yancy, I’m telling you, stay away from my daughter. Unless we’re dead, Samantha won’t be with you!"
Eleanor Hollis watched the dispute, wanting to intervene. But considering it was a family matter, she didn’t know what to say.
Hugo Quinn gently clasped her hand, shaking his head to indicate she should refrain from saying anything.
Evan Yancy suddenly knelt down, his back straightened.
"Samantha and I genuinely love each other. The incident wasn’t solely my fault; your son just became a vegetative state, but my sister is gone forever. I understand your feelings. Samantha is innocent; she shouldn’t bear this guilt living under everyone’s shadow."
Evan Yancy was deeply moved by his sister’s death. He wouldn’t admit the incident was his sister’s fault just to be with Samantha.
Back then, when Sullivan’s son drove drunk, only then did the tragedy happen; the legal judgment had long been decided, and the Sullivan Family bore full responsibility.
Dad Sullivan nearly fainted from anger hearing Evan Yancy’s words.
"We already paid a hefty sum back then, and my son lived in guilt ever since finding out. Your parents verbally agreed to a settlement, but you hit my son, leaving him vegetative. Evan Yancy, my son was wrong, but your family broke its word. Don’t act pitiful here!"
Dad Sullivan dragged Samantha Sullivan to leave, without acknowledging Evan Yancy kneeling on the ground.
Evan Yancy suddenly stood up, holding Samantha’s other hand.
"I can’t let her go back with you; all you see in your eyes is your son, you don’t value your daughter at all."
He barely finished speaking when he received a heavy slap on the face.
Dad Sullivan raised his hand high, his face full of anger.
"We never favored any child! It’s just that I can’t stand my daughter associating with someone like you! Samantha, tell him you guys are breaking up, otherwise I’ll die right in front of you!"
Samantha Sullivan was startled, her wrist painfully clenched by the other.
Eleanor Hollis finally couldn’t bear it anymore, stepping forward.
"Uncle, calm down, let’s discuss this properly. Look, Samantha’s wrist is bruised from your grip."
Dad Sullivan glanced down, realizing he’d been too forceful, and eased his grip slightly.
"There’s no discussion here; Samantha, hurry and tell him. Don’t let me see you together again; these days you’re going on blind dates for me, and aim to marry within two months."