Chapter 116

The crowd followed the direction of the voice and saw Lainey approaching. She was flanked by two bodyguards who parted the crowd for her, with her confidence bordering on smugness.

Seriously? What an ostentatious display! Anyone would think she wanted the world to know she was the long-lost daughter of the Bentons.

Most of the onlookers were rich girls, and some were even the daughters of influential officials.

Yet not a single one of them arrived with half the fanfare Lainey brought.

Truthfully, most people dismissed Lainey's flashiness, though not a single person was bold enough to say so aloud.

As the Benton family's fortune soared, so did their sway in Elepdon. No one wanted to tempt fate or risk crossing them over something petty.

With that in mind, the crowd instinctively stepped aside, creating a path that left Eleanor and Nolan right in Lainey's line of sight.

Running into Eleanor there was clearly not part of Lainey's plan.

She meant to pretend Eleanor didn't exist, but her attention caught on the man standing next to her.

Nolan stood by Eleanor's side-a man with a reputation in Elepdon that rivaled her own.

He might have been clueless, especially since he had ended up falling for someone like Eleanor.

Still, Lainey didn't let it bother her. Her own standing had risen, and she was convinced Nolan would recognize her value soon enough.

With that thought, Lainey slid off her oversized sunglasses and, projecting polished confidence,strolled toward them. "Mr. Stewart! What a surprise running into you tonight. My father mentioned how

hectic you've been lately. I didn't expect to see you here."

She pretended just then to spot Eleanor and let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh, Miss Warren! I hardly recognized you. Honestly, a place like this usually draws the social elite, so it took me a second to realize it was you. Hope you don't take it the wrong way?"

Giving a theatrical little tap to her lips, she continued,"Listen to me going on and on. Since you're with Mr.Stewart, it makes perfect sense you're here. Sorry for not realizing it sooner."

Lainey's entire act was staged not just for the people nearby,but especially for Nolan.

She wanted to make it crystal clear that, as the Benton family's daughter, she was the only one who truly fit by his side.

Much to her irritation, Nolan never even looked her way. His attention belonged entirely to Eleanor. He reached out and tucked a loose strand of Eleanor's hair behind her ear in a gentle, familiar way."Let's get out of here. It's much too loud."

With their shopping done, Eleanor felt no reason to stick around.

She blushed and nodded lightly, feeling equal parts embarrassed and flustered.

This man... Why did he always have to make her heart race in front of an audience?

The man was impossible.

Nolan saw nothing wrong with showing affection in public; if anything, he thought it wasn't nearly enough.

He confidently wrapped an arm around Eleanor's waist and guided her through the mall, shutting out everyone else as if the world had faded away.

Not once did he glance in anyone else's direction,least of all Lainey. A ripple of barely stifled laughter swept through the crowd.

Lainey, famous for sucking up to those at the top and snubbing everyone beneath her, had been completely overlooked by Nolan.

Should gossip start to spread, her humiliation would be the punchline at every gathering.

Unable to endure the humiliating stares any longer,Lainey bolted for the exit.

"Damn it!" she snapped, hurling her purse onto the car seat as soon as the door slammed shut.

Eleanor!

It was always Eleanor!

That bitch was the reason Nolan never looked her way.

What did that bitch have that she didn't?

Lainey realized head-on challenges were pointless. Nolan wouldn't budge for her usual games.

If she wanted to win, she would need to change her approach.

A single name suddenly leapt to mind-Norwood!

Of course! The gossip mill never stopped spinning tales of Nolan's endless clashes with his grandfather,all because of Eleanor.

If she herself could get on Norwood's good side...

Wouldn't that clear the way for her?

For a household as distinguished as the Stewarts,marrying someone of equal status was seen as crucial.

How could Norwood ever approve of Eleanor, a divorced woman with no connections?

She herself, on the other hand, had just reclaimed her place as the Benton family's daughter, her impeccable background, her social standing secure.

She and Nolan were the perfect match on pape Surely, Norwood would recognize that, unless he had lost all sense.

Fueled by this realization, Lainey immediately turned to her bodyguards, who had just caught up. "Get me Norwood Stewart's itinerary. I want every detail.Don't miss a thing."

"Understood."

Eleanor, she had better watch out. The title of Nolan's wife would belong to her soon enough.