Chapter 124

Eleanor hadn't expected that she would end up standing Lillian up once more.

Right before she was about to head to the Benton family's party, a call came through with news that Sallie was in critical condition.

Though Eleanor no longer owed the Todd family anything, she could never ignore Sallie.

The woman had once been warm and kind to her. That debt was one she couldn't forget.

With a short sigh, Eleanor typed out a quick message to Lillian, saying, "Sorry, something urgent came up.I can't make it."

Then, without waiting for a reply, she flagged down a cab and rushed straight to the Todd family'sestate.

The house was unnervingly quiet when she arrived.

Not a single Todd family member in sight.

Today was Lainey's grand recognition banquet, so everyone would be busy fawning over her.

That suited Eleanor just fine.

Fewer questions, fewer complications.

She slipped into Sallie's room, where several maids stood crowding the bedside. "Leave us. I'll handle it from here."

The women exchanged looks, but knowing how generous Eleanor had always been, they obeyed and filed out.

Eleanor pulled a chair to the bedside and carefully examined Sallie.

Her pulse was weak, her breathing faint, and her body so frail it was almost translucent. Eleanor's chest tightened. Sallie's heart was failing, and the anger she had recently suffered had pushed her to the brink.

Eleanor could guess the source of that fury.

Jonny. Or Lainey. Likely both.

But that was Todd's family business. She had no place in their quarrels.

All she could do was fulfill her duty as a doctor, and give Sallie more time, however little that might be.

With a quiet breath, she pulled her special kit from her bag and set to work.

An hour later, the treatment was done.

Eleanor tidied her tools and stepped out into the crisp evening air, only to nearly collide with someone at the entrance.It was Jonny.

He had been sulking ever since Lainey ordered him to stay awayfrom the banquet. But the moment he spotted Eleanor, his simmering anger twisted into something darker, more possessive.

His eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam. "So that's it," he sneered. "You knew everyone would be gone, so you came here to find me?"

Guess she couldn't live without him.

His eyes roamed over her with unrestrained arrogance. "Come on, let's go upstairs. The banquet won't be over for hours. We'll have plenty of time."

He reached for her, already imagining her giving in.

But Eleanor shifted just enough that his hand sliced through empty air. Her voice was ice. "Scram."

Her rejection made his blood boil. He clenched his fists, fury twisting his features. "Oh, come on. You came here yourself, now stop acting so pure! I'm telling you, Eleanor, don't reject a good thing and regret it later!Nolan's not here to protect you today. No one is. And I will have you, whether you want it or not!"

With that, he lunged straight at her. Damn it.

Lainey hadn't let him touch her in weeks, and he didn't dare find another woman.

HHis restraint had worn thin, and he was determined to take Eleanor by force.

But he seemed to have forgotten that Eleanor, after the divorce, was no longer the docile woman he once knew.

Her hand flicked with precise speed, and in an instant, needles slipped into his body at vital points.

Jonny froze on the spot, his limbs refusing to obey him. Shock spread across his face. "What? What did you do? Some kind of trick?"

His voice cracked.

Three years of marriage, and he had never known she possessed such terrifying skill.

Eleanor didn't bother explaining.

She retrieved her needles with practiced calm and turned away, not sparing him another glance.

"Remember this, Jonny. Next time you see me, walk the other way. Or you'll end up exactly like this again."

Without another look, she walked past him, leaving him paralyzed and seething.

"Damn you, Eleanor!" Jonny roared after her.

He stumbled to the ground, helpless fury burning in his chest.

That woman, once obsessed with him, was now colder than a stranger.

And Lainey?

She hadn't even let him attend the banquet, claiming the Bentons would disapprove.

In truth, she was embarrassed by him, thinking he wasn't worthy.

His pride writhed in humiliation. He was Jonny Todd, the CEO of a listed company! Maybe not Nolan, but still a man of status.

How dared they look down on him?

Gritting his teeth, he swore under his breath. Someday, both women would crawl back to him. He would make them pay, make them beg, and restore his dignity as a man.

When the paralysis finally wore off, he dragged himself into the house, only to learn the truth that Eleanor hadn't come looking for him at all.

She had come to visit Sallie, who miraculously stabilized after her departure.

Jonny clenched his fists, remembering the precision of those needles and the calm confidence in her hands.

Who was Eleanor,really?

What else was she hiding?

But he shoved the thought away.

It didn't matter who she was.

In the end, she would always be his woman, someone he could discard at will.

A cold light flashed in his eyes as he pulled out his phone. "Did you get what I asked for?"

The man on the other end let out a lazy chuckle. "Rare stuff like that doesn't just fall into your lap. Be patient."

With that, the line went dead.

Jonny exhaled, seething.

He then calmed down. He had time. For now, he would keep Lainey appeased. But soon... soon, Eleanor would learn exactly what it meant to be under his control.