Chapter 211

Every head in the hall turned toward the entrance.

Eleanor walked in, a trail of maids at her side,moving slowly but steadily.

When she finally looked up, her gaze cut straight through the crowd like a blade and locked on a single figure.

Nolan sat there, cool and distant, his whole presence out of place with the noisy hall-crisp suit, sharper eyes,watching her like he saw right through her.

Eleanor's face heated instantly.

Damn it.

All those eyes on her made her feel like she had just walked into a circus, the main act with no way off stage.

She could already imagine Nolan's smug grin later,teasing her until she wanted to crawl under a table.

She lowered her lashes, her cheeks burning in a way she couldn't control.

But Horace? He read it all wrong. To him, that blush wasn't embarrassment, but it was shyness.

His chest swelled with pride, and he grinned wide,throwing his arms out to his men. "Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves!"

The room erupted in cheers.

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

"Come on,Horace, don't keep the girl waiting!"

Horace's smirk grew as he leaned in, his eyes roaming over Eleanor's face like she was already his.

But across the room, Nolan's expression snapped.

His jaw tightened, his eyes went black with fury, and the weight of his rage settled over the place like a storm about to break.

Without hesitation, he pulled a pistol from his waistband, and a gunshot ripped through the chaos.

At that very instant, Eleanor moved.

It was as if she had seen this moment coming.Her hand flashed, a dagger appearing, and she slashed down hard toward Horace's arm.

Horace wasn't some street fool. He had lived his life dodging blades and bullets.The instant he sensed the danger, he jerked his head aside just in time.

The bullet still scraped past him, tearing his ear and drawing a hot line of blood.

He dodged the bullet, barely. But Eleanor? He couldn't dodge her. In the same heartbeat, her dagger sliced across his arm with brutal force.

Horace staggered, holding his bleeding arm. He felt something hauntingly familiar about that attack... the speed, the force, and the way it was aimned.

Blood dripped between his fingers as he stared at her.

Those eyes, cold and unforgiving...

A memory he thought he had buried ripped its way back.

Years ago. That day... the woman who came out of nowhere and left him broken and humiliated.His eyes widened as recognition struck.

"It's her!" His voice cracked into a roar."Damn it,it's her! That cursed woman! Somebody get her! Take her down!"

But his command fell into silence. Around him, the hall was filled with drunken men slumped over the tables, snoring loud and heavy.His men weren't ignoring him; they were out cold,drugged by McCollum's spiked liquor.

Horace's gut sank. For the first time, he realized he was completely alone.

And then, Nolan stood up. He didn't rush. He walked forward,slow and deliberate.

With every step closer, Horace's heart plunged deeper into despair.

The suffocating weight pressed against his chest until he could hardly breathe.

It was over. He knew it.

Not only would he lose the woman, but his ownlife might very well be the price.

Panic shoved aside bravado. Without thinking twice,he spun on his heel and bolted for the back door.

Kaiden, sharp as ever, caught on immediately and motioned his men to give chase.

But Nolan stopped. His steps halted right in front of Eleanor.

In that moment, there was no one else in his world. Only her.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he would never let go again.

"I'm sorry," he said, his voice thick with regret."It's my fault they even got the chance."

If he had crushed them earlier, she wouldn't have had to face this mess at all.

Eleanor's face softened as she nestled into his chest.His familiar scent washed over her, chasing away the tension that had been clawing at her nerves.

She smiled.

"What's meant to happen will happen sooner or later.Don't blame yourself," she whispered, giving his back a light pat. "Besides, look at me. I'm standing right here,perfectly fine."

Nolan cupped her hand, his eyes searching every inch of her as though to make absolutely sure. Only when he was certain she was safe did a small wave of relief pass through him.

His hand was cold as he held hers. "Let's go home."