Chapter 119
Tyler carried Eleanor outside, causing a commotion among the guests.
Someone sharp eyed noticed Eleanor’s stilettos and chimed in, “I heard those hurt if you wear them too long. Mr. Langford really knows how to take care
of his wife.”
Eleanor felt a little embarrassed. “Put me down,” she said.
“No,” Tyler replied, refusing to let her go until they reached Linda. Then he finally set Eleanor down and handed Linda a document.
“What’s this?” Linda asked, taking it. She looked at the divorce papers in surprise, and when she opened them, she realized they were hers–the husband’s signature was already there.
She recognized the handwriting, and her face darkened. “He was here today too?”
“Yeah, but we’ve already taken care of him,” Tyler said. “I didn’t tell you earlier because I didn’t want you to worry?
Hearing it, Linda immediately pulled Eleanor over and checked her anxiously. “He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”
“No, he didn’t,” Eleanor said. “Maybe Grandma knew what her son was like, so she made me learn some self–defense. Good thing I did.”
Linda finally relaxed, though her expression was complicated as she looked at the divorce papers. “Honestly, it doesn’t really matter if it’s signed or not.
Back then, he just married into the Donovan family–we never even made it official.”
Eleanor was caught off guard, while Tyler looked not surprised at all.
Thinking back to how Tyler seemed like he wanted to say something earlier, Eleanor asked, “Did you already know?”
Tyler shook his head. “I only found out recently.”
“This is on me,” Linda said. “I wasn’t a boy, so your grandpa said that unless I got married and had a child, he’d let some distant nephew inherit everything. I picked your dad pretty much at random–he was decent–looking. The deal was, he’d move in with the Donovans and we’d have a kid, but we wouldn’t get married on paper. I let him enjoy all the Donovan family’s resources. That was our arrangement. Maybe he always felt like he didn’t measure up, and over time, it twisted him inside.”
Eleanor was honestly surprised. She’d always thought her parents were in love.
“But I’m a girl,” Eleanor said.
Linda nodded. “Yeah, but your grandpa eventually stopped caring about girls not being able to inherit. He even said the Donovan family would be yours one day. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. That’s why I kept you out of the business. But I’ve let it go now. Plus, you’ve got Tyler to help you.”
All of a sudden, Linda remembered something. Her father had changed his mind right after Tyler came over and played chess with him.
“The Donovans and Langfords have a marriage agreement. I feel at ease leaving the company to Eleanor.”
Back then, she’d been so upset that she completely missed the hint in his words.
Seeing Linda looking at him, Tyler gave a small nod. “Linda, don’t worry. I might not be marrying into the family, but what’s mine is Eleanor’s. As long as I’m here, she’ll be just fine.”
All of a sudden, Linda seemed to remember something and stood up abruptly. “Your grandpa left something for you. He told me to give it to you when you got married. I totally forgot to bring it.”
“Mom, there’s no rush,” Eleanor said. “We can grab it after everything’s done.”
“Alright.” Linda paused, then asked, “Where is he? I want to see him.”
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Chapter 119
Tyler replied, “He joined some group, and he’s not really in his right mind anymore. He just rambles nonsense. Linda, it’s better if you don’t go see his
“It’s okay,” Linda said softly. “Honestly, I do feel kind of bad for him.”
“We’re all adults—we make out own choices,” Eleanor said. “If he regrets it now, that’s on him. He could’ve left anytime since there was no marriage certificate. He just couldn’t let go of the money.”
Linda squeezed Eleanor’s hand. “I used to be so unfair to you. That was on me. Now that I’ve let it go, I feel so much better.”
“Linda, if you really want to see him, I’ll go with you after the guests leave.” Tyler glanced at Eleanor. “Detective Miller is still here. Flo matter what he asks you later, don’t agree to anything.”
“Okay.” Eleanor looked at Tyler. “Do you know anything? Come on, tell me.”
Tyler shook his head. “Let’s hope I’m just overthinking it.”
“Don’t worry, the fortune–teller said I’m basically blessed with good luck.” Eleanor grinned. “Seriously, what could I possibly not be allowed to know?”
Tyler locked eyes with Eleanor. “No matter what happens, I want you to always put your own safety first.”
After the banquet, Linda went check on Ethan.
When Ethan, tied up hand and foot, appeared, she asked in surprise, “What’s going on here?”
One of the guards explained, “If we don’t restrain him, he might attack people.”
Suddenly, Ethan’s whole body started shaking. He snapped his eyes open and shouted, “I failed! I’m useless! I have to kill her! Serena should take her place!”
Linda was startled. “What is he even talking about?”
“He’s been given a drug that messes with his mind,” the guard said. “He has to take it on time to stay sane. Otherwise, he starts hallucinating.”
Linda asked, “So what if I want to talk to him?”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Hey, ma’am, what are you doing?”
Eleanor had stepped forward, quickly pricking Ethan with a silver needle. Gradually, he started to come back to his senses. But when he saw Eleanor, a look of fear flashed across his face and he muttered, “You’re all in this together.”
“Dad, what are you even saying?” Eleanor looked at him, noticing the fear in his eyes. “Dad, what are you so scared of? Don’t you even recognize your own daughter?”
Ethan stared at Eleanor for a moment, his voice rough. “You can’t get away. Even if I failed, you’re already a target. There’ll be others coming for you. No one’s ever managed to escape–three times is more than enough to get the higher–ups interested.”
Suddenly, Ethan burst out laughing, the sound sending chills down Eleanor’s spine.
“You bastard!” Linda stormed over and slapped him across the face. “Blood is thicker than water! Eleanor is your daughter–how could you try to hurt her?”
“Linda, drop the act. You never liked her either, did you? I knew everything Serena did–I just kept my mouth shut. You killed the woman I loved!” Ethan’s face twisted with rage, his teeth clenched. “You forced me to marry into your family.”
“Dad, so what if you married in? You two never even got a marriage certificate, right? Wasn’t your only job to have me, and then you could’ve left? Nobody was holding you back. Or was it just that once Mom made your status public, you couldn’t let go of the Donovan family’s money and status?” Eleanor shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ethan let out a bitter laugh. “Too bad. I was this close to letting Serena inherit the Donovan fortune.”
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Eleanor sneered, “Ethan, the law’s coming for you. And as for the woman you loved, don’t worry–F’ll make sure you two are reunited soon?
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Ethan stared at Eleanor, still laughing. “Eleanor, you’re the only prey who’s ever escaped three times. That big shot is definitely going to come after you
