Eleanor Slater has loved Leonard Bateman for five years. She leaves her family for him and sticks with him without a care for what others think. In the end, none of that matters compared to a sentence from Leonard's true love. "Leo, can you come be with me?" Eleanor finally understands that some hearts just can't be won over. And so, she calls her brother and agrees to head home to marry someone else. When Leonard finally realizes what's happened and starts pursuing Eleanor, he finds a frosty-faced man by her side. He loses his mind at the sight, but the man is unfazed. The latter sneers and caresses Eleanor's belly tenderly. He says, "She's already showing, Leonard. Are you still hung up on her?"
View MoreOn Sunday, Eleanor changed her clothes before noon. Then, she stood outside Caleb's apartment and knocked on the door."Mr. Firth, we can leave whenever you're ready."Soon enough, the door opened. Caleb stood by the door. He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Eleanor's appearance. He seemed somewhat intrigued."Are you feeling so sad that you've decided to start dressing up like a college student to reminisce about those youthful days?"Eleanor felt a bit embarrassed. Caleb was being very polite as she commented on her attire.Considering that she would be meeting Harry in the evening, Eleanor had put on a white shirt and a pair of jeans. She did not even apply any makeup. Overall, she looked dull and unremarkable."Does it not suit me?" she asked.Caleb looked refined and sophisticated wearing a suit. The two of them were clearly from different worlds, especially with Eleanor's current appearance.After hearing her question, Caleb lifted his gaze and scanned Eleanor from top
Eleanor clutched the file in her hands tightly. Her voice was cold and distant. "I'm not asking for your opinion, Mr. Bateman. I'm simply informing you that I'll only handle the negotiations for this project."Silence fell over the room. The others were all staring at Eleanor in bewilderment.Eleanor had always followed and carried out Leonard's instructions dutifully. Yet, she was clearly talking back to him just now. Her colleagues felt as though they had just seen the sun rise from the west.Eleanor ignored those curious gazes and asked for all the documents related to the project. After gathering everything she needed, she turned around and walked off. She did not want to spend another second in that place.Leonard burned with rage as he watched her walk away determinedly. A cold light glinted in his eyes. He knitted his brows and chuckled."Ellie, it's about time you stop throwing your tantrums, right?" he thought.Leonard had endured it when he saw Eleanor chatting happily
Eleanor had not just liaised with those from Sullivan Group before. She had almost gone to the authorities at one point while working with them.She calmed herself down and asked, "Is their person in charge Harry Sullivan?""Yes," Leonard answered after a brief pause.Eleanor had a grim look in her eyes upon hearing his reply.Harry Sullivan, who was born into a wealthy family, was a notorious man in Atherton. Words like vile, lustful, and violent were all used to describe him. Leonard could not possibly not know what kind of man Harry was. Still, he had called Eleanor regardless."Eleanor, we all know how frisky Harry can get and how he likes to harass girls. We shouldn't have dragged you into this. However… he specifically requested to see you. You wouldn't let everybody's efforts go to waste, right?" Rachel had an innocent look on her face as she wiped her tears away.One of their colleagues chimed in, "She's right, Eleanor. You're a nice person. Also, everyone's worked on t
After exiting the art exhibition's venue, Caleb drove Eleanor back to the apartment. He glanced at Eleanor through the rearview mirror. "Are you alright, Ms. Slater?"Eleanor lowered her head. Instead of answering the question, she steered away from that topic. "Mr. Firth, thank you for the painting."The painting held profound meaning to her. Therefore, she cherished it a lot.Caleb's mood lifted as he watched her lightly caress the canvas. "If you truly want to thank me, come with me to a place this Sunday.""Sure," Eleanor agreed to it right away. It was only right for her to return the favor after what Caleb did for her.After returning to her apartment, Eleanor carefully hung the painting on the wall. Her heart was filled with bliss as she took in the rose that was born amid ruins and darkness.She would take the painting with her when it was time for her to leave Atherton. The painting was like a warning to Eleanor. It would act as a constant reminder of all the sacrifices
"I don't think that'll be necessary." Eleanor chuckled softly and dropped her gaze.She had already made up her mind when she decided to head back to Javensburg.Eleanor gave Leonard and Rachel a slight nod. Then, she was about to leave with Caleb.Hair tucked behind her ears, Eleanor had a calm look in her eyes. She gave off a chilly air. Even though she maintained a neutral expression, she suddenly seemed much more distant and unapproachable.Leonard's heart sank. He felt like something was slowly slipping away from him.Rachel asked pitifully, "Eleanor, are you feeling upset?"Before Eleanor could say anything, she continued, "Leo hadn't accompanied you to art exhibitions previously because he was too busy. He only came here with me today because we had some free time after a recent project ended. "You shouldn't be mingling with the wrong crowd just to make Leo angry, alright?"Rachel kept up with the pitiful act and pretended to be very understanding. Still, Eleanor could
Eleanor paused briefly. She did not expect to receive an invitation from Caleb to visit the art exhibition together.She did not particularly dislike Caleb. In fact, her impression of him so far had been quite favorable. Anyway, Eleanor had already made up her mind to go. Having a companion did not sound like a bad idea to her.After a moment's consideration, she typed out her reply and sent it to Caleb."Sure."…It was a weekday the next day. Still, there were a lot of people who came to see the art exhibition.Caleb and Eleanor walked along the corridors and saw many artworks. A particular artwork caught Eleanor's eye at some point.The painting was not exactly aesthetically pleasing. It was dull and somber. Some might even say it was ugly.Yet, in that seemingly hopeless, run-down environment, a tiny rose bloomed. The brushstrokes seemed free yet controlled at the same time. Eleanor was someone who had considerable knowledge about art and paintings. She had taken art cour
Leonard fixed Caleb with a stony gaze. Eleanor knew how much he despised Caleb. Naturally, he surmised she had gotten close to Caleb just to upset him.Eleanor had an impassive look on her face. "My private life is none of your business. We'll be leaving first if that is all."Leonard's eyes burned with rage.Meanwhile, Caleb's lips had curled into a mocking grin since earlier. Just then, Rachel strode forward and stood between Leonard and Eleanor. She appeared as though she wanted to help pacify the two of them."Eleanor, Leo is saying these things for your own good. You shouldn't say such hurtful words that'll only end up hurting your relationship."There was a look of disdain in Eleanor's eyes as she shot Rachel a sidelong glance.Hurting their relationship? They already broke up. How was that a concern when she and Leonard were no longer in a relationship?Eleanor said frigidly, "You, of all people, have no right to meddle in my personal affairs."Rachel's face was draine
Eleanor kept her head lowered and stood there, unmoving. It was only when Leonard's gaze drifted toward the ground that he noticed Eleanor had injured her ankle.He furrowed his brows and took a step forward. "When did you injure your ankle? Why didn't you tell me about it?"Eleanor instinctively took a few steps backward when she saw him move closer. Everyone else could sense her resistance.Leonard halted in his tracks. His voice hardened. "You should stop throwing tantrums now that you're hurt. Eleanor, come home with me."Eleanor did not budge. She directed her gaze at Leonard. His face became rather animated because of how worried and agitated he was.If it were during her first or second year here, Eleanor would definitely think that Leonard actually cared about her. Sadly, things had changed over time.Leonard had a stony look in his eyes. He stepped forward and tried to grab onto Eleanor's hand. However, someone stuck out their arm and blocked his path.It was Caleb.Hi
Eleanor lifted her head and met Caleb's gaze.She paused briefly before replying teasingly, "Why are you so curious about my personal affairs, Mr. Firth? Those who didn't know better might think that you were trying to steal someone else's girlfriend."Caleb, who was about to move away, sat down beside the hospital bed again. There was an unreadable look in his eyes. "What if that is what I intend to do?"Eleanor was struck speechless. She and Caleb were staring into each other's eyes. There was a particular emotion in those orbs that she could not quite discern.She lowered her gaze and chuckled. "I'll probably have to let you down, Mr. Firth. I'm just an ordinary person. I couldn't really move on from my previous relationship so quickly. Besides…"Besides, Eleanor had decided to go back to her hometown for the arranged marriage.Caleb paused for a moment. His eyes narrowed. Then, he lightly grasped her wrist. "Are you… scared?"Eleanor froze. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly.
"Philip, I'm coming home to get married."It was late at night, and the moon hung in the sky, its surface shimmering like it had been dusted with frost. Eleanor looked down, pulling her coat closer around her.Philip Slater's voice immediately came through the phone, "I'm glad you've changed your mind. It's been three years since you left for Atherton, chasing your dreams after graduation."Mom and Dad were starting to think you'd fallen for some guy who'd taken you for good. But I'm relieved to hear you're finally coming home."His voice carried a deep sense of relief.It had been three years.Eleanor's fingers skimmed the wooden bracelet on her wrist. She had kept it in perfect condition, and even after three years, it still looked as though it were brand new.A dull ache settled in her chest as she remembered the bold, reckless determination that had driven her to follow Leonard to Atherton all those years ago.She simply went along with Philip's words. "I was naive back the...
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