Chapter 113
Eleanor’s comment made Serena’s cheeks burn red. She shot Eleanor a fierce glare. “Eleanor, even if you’re jealous of me, you can’t just thườn chun jue that
“Jealous? Of what, exactly? I’ve got more money than you, and my husband’s way better. Am I supposed to envy you for marrying some so–called young, master?” Eleanor scoffed. “Please. I know all about it–I’d basically cosseted Chris like he’s my own kid.”
That made Chris’s face darken too.
Eleanor looked back and forth between them. “What’s with those faces? Relax, we’ll be moving out soon. You won’t have to see us much longer.
“You’re moving out?” Chris asked, surprised.
“Yep.” Eleanor replied. “Once the wedding’s over, of course we want our own space. Living with the whole family is a hassle. Chris, you’re thirty now–it’s time to start planning for yourself. Maybe set your sights a little lower; you don’t have to buy a mansion right away.”
Tyler chimed in lazily, “Don’t bother riling him up. My brother’s drowning in debt and can’t stay away from gambling. That’s why no one dares let him run the company–everyone’s afraid he’ll secretly sell it off.”
Eleanor laughed. “Oh, right. I almost forgot about that.”
Chris’s expression turned even uglier. “Eleanor, what are you really trying to say?”
“Nothing much,” Eleanor said with a smile. “Just a friendly reminder–don’t blow all your money. If you need to sell something, just do it.”
“I believe in Chris,” Serena said, holding onto his arm. “He’s got a ton of potential. It’s just that Tyler never gives him a real chance.”
“He had a chance, but you turned it down,” Eleanor said. “Didn’t Tyler offer Chris a job at the Himvar branch before? You said no. Everyone starts at the bottom–that’s how you get experience and build a reputation.”
“Himvar.” Chris’s expression shifted, and he fixed his gaze on Tyler. “Tyler, is Eleanor really that important to you? Are you seriously holding me back just
for her?”
“Chris, did you forget? I had to work my way up before I came back too. Do you really think you’re ready to jump straight into headquarters?” Tyler shot back. “Especially since you married someone who burns through money like it’s nothing–I’m honestly worried you’ll start dipping into company funds.”
Chris’s face turned bright red. “Tyler, that’s a ridiculous accusation! I’m a Langford–why shouldn’t I be allowed in the core departments of my own family’s company?”
Tyler let out a cold laugh. “What, since you couldn’t get your hands on the Donovan family business, now you’re setting your sights on ours?”
“Tyler, I really don’t get what you’re trying to say.”
“Oh, really?” Tyler sneered. “Besides the shares, wasn’t the whole reason you dated Eleanor that she’s the Donovan family’s only daughter? Marry her, and you get their whole fortune.”
“I did not!” Chris blurted out, his voice shaky.
“You know the truth better than anyone,” Tyler said coldly.
“Alright, if he finds out Mom wants me to run the company, he’ll be even more upset,” Eleanor said with a small smile.
Serena’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Eleanor, jealousy flashing in her eyes.
Noticing Eleanor looking her way, Serena quickly masked her feelings and forced a smile. “Congratulations, Eleanor. Looks like you’ll have something brag about at the next class reunion.”
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Chapter 113
I’m not you, Serena, I don’t need to wear my Donovan family státus like a badge for everyone to sea, Eleanor cald selly. But now that we my parents‘ adopted daughter, maybe stop trying to fool people.”
Chris stepped in front of Serena, shielding her as he stared down Eleanor, “She’s the Langford family’s granddaughter in law now. People will suit may
her.
Eleanor shot back with a mocking smile, “If you say so.”
Serena lowered her head, lost in thought, a strange, sly smile curling at the corners of her lips.
On the wedding day, Eleanor arrived at Hanworth
“or and found
rows of guards in full armor outside. “So, is this all part of the plan?” she asked.
Tyler explained, “Detective Miller brought them in for security.”
Eleanor smiled. “Gotta admit, they look pretty legit in the
Catching Eleanor openly checking out the guards, Tyler
than me.”
uniforms.”
got a little jealous and pulled her closer. “What are you looking at? None of them looks better
Eleanor teased, “They’re all young and handsome, you know.”
Tyler scoffed, “Back when I was young and handsome, you never even glanced at me.”
“Eleanor.”
Hearing her name, Eleanor turned and saw Vera. She smiled and walked over. “Where’s your husband?”
“I didn’t let him come,” Vera replied. “We just signed the papers–it’s a business arrangement, you know how it is.”
Eleanor looked at her. “You know, you could always say no.”
Vera shook her head. “I don’t want any more rumors flying around. Anyway, enough about me. Today’s your big day–let’s not talk about those
buzzkills.”
“Yeah, but those party crashers always show up anyway,” Eleanor said, looking ahead.
“Eleanor.” Chris walked over with Serena. When he saw Vera, he shot her a look
f pure disdain.
“Chris, what’s with that face?” Vera said coldly. “I’ve been sick of you for ages. If it weren’t for today, I would’ve punched you already.”
“Vera, you always act so high and mighty, but in the end, you still hooked up before getting married,” Chris sneered.
Eleanor stepped forward and said, “Vera, I know today’s supposed to be all about me, but if someone pisses you off, just hit back. Being happy is what
matters.”
“Then I won’t hold back.”
Vera slapped Serena hard across the face. “That’s for screwing me over! And you even tried to drag me down with you!”
Chris had just started to say something, but before he could get a word out, Vera’s next slap landed right across his cheek.
“You’re out of your mind!” He screamed.
“No, you’re the crazy one! Serena struts around like she owns the place, does all this awful stuff, and you still treat her like she’s some kind of princess. Maybe I can’t go after her in public, but you really think I’m scared to handle her in private?”
Serena clutched her cheek and spoke softly, “You say I ruined you, but the cops didn’t do anything to me. Your family wouldn’t dare blow this up. If you keep pushing me and I go to the press, that’s going to be a huge story.”
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Chapter 113
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Eleanor smirked, “A little pre–wedding flirting is nothing compared to someone who killed her own father, got way too close to her stepdad, and hired a hitman. Think about it–any one of those would be front–page news.”
Serena’s face went ghostly pale. “Eleanor, I never did any of that!”
Eleanor turned to Chris with a smile. “She says she didn’t. What do you think, Chris? Some things can’t be used in court, but if they hit the media, that’s a
whole different ballgame.”
Thinking about that recording, Chris looked at Serena with a complicated expression.
“Chris, don’t look at me like that.” Serena grabbed his hand. “I’ve never done anything to hurt you.”
“Eleanor, Vera has already slapped her. And you’ve made your point. You know how much damage rumors can do. Please, just let Serena go.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Eleanor cast him a cold glance.
Chris clenched his fists. “Do you have any proof? The kind the police would actually accept?”
“Not before, but starting today, I will,” Eleanor said confidently.
“Oh, Miss Donovan, you’re here! Come on, let’s get you to makeup!” Suddenly, the makeup artist hurried over.
There is a black five–pointed star tattoo on the woman’s arm, and Eleanor noticed it, her eyes darkening just a bit. “Alright,” she said.
Detective Miller had mentioned that the group Ethan joined was called the Heaven Organization, and everyone in it got a black five–pointed star tattooed
on their arm.
