Chapter 281

Eleanor lingered in the warm embrace of the hot spring,her anticipation for Nolan's return growing with each passing minute.

A brisk mountain breeze swept through, its chill biting at her skin.

She shivered, caught in the night's icy grip.

Why was Nolan delayed for so long?

A creeping unease stirred within her, swelling with every moment.

No,she couldn't wait any longer. She had to find him.

Rising from the steaming waters, Eleanor wrapped herself in a plush towel and hastened toward their room.

As she neared the door, she froze at the sight of Trudy,disheveled and frantic, pounding desperately on the wood.

What was Trudy doing here? A jolt of dread surged through Eleanor, a sinking feeling that something terrible had befallen Nolan. Trudy's eyes locked onto Eleanor's, and she lunged forward like a woman possessed.

"Eleanor, you've ruined everything!" she shrieked,her voice raw with venom. "If it weren't for you, I would have had my way by now!"

Trudy's words painted a grim picture, and Eleanor's gaze hardened, her heart icing over with resolve.

Ignoring Trudy's tirade, she strode to the door and hammered on it with urgency. "Nolan, it's me!" she called, her voice steady but pleading. "Eleanor! Nolan,please,open the door!"

Yet, only an oppressive silence answered her.

Then, a cloying, seductive scent drifted from beneath the door, curling into the air.

Eleanor's senses sharpened as she recognized the dangerous scent.

This was an aphrodisiac, potent and intoxicating,capable of dire consequences if not countered swiftly.

Without hesitation, Eleanor dialed the hotel reception,her voice sharp with urgency.

The hotel manager, upon learning the situation,seized the master key and hurried toward the room, panic quickening his steps.

The moment the door swung open, Eleanor darted inside, slamming it shut and locking it from the inside before the manager or Trudy could follow.

Outside,the manager stood perplexed in the corridor.

What on earth was happening?

Should he stick around... or just get the hell out of there?

He glanced at Trudy, now slumped on the floor,hurling curses with the ferocity of a cornered animal.

It was clear she wasn't a registered guest.

This was trouble.

With a furrowed brow, he summoned security guards."Remove this disruptor," he ordered firmly.

Inside, the room was thick with the sickly-sweet scent,so overpowering it turned Eleanor's stomach.

Her eyes fell on a shattered scented candle, dried bloodstains on the carpet.

Was Nolan injured?

Her heart constricted with fear. The sound of rushing water drew her to the bathroom.

Without a moment's pause, Eleanor rushed inside.

There, Nolan sat slumped against the cold tiled wall,the shower's icy cascade drenching him.

His skin bore an unnatural flush, veins pulsing at his temples, muscles taut with the effort of resisting the drug's grip.

Most arresting of all was the ghastly gash on Nolan's arm, a deep wound exposing bone beneath torn flesh.

Blood swirled with the water, a relentless crimson stream spiraling down the drain.

Just as before, he had chosen to wound himself rather than betray her with another.

Eleanor's eyes brimmed with tears, her vision blurring.

She rushed to his side and knelt beside him, her heart pounding.

"Nolan, are you all right?" Her voice quivered as she reached out, her fingers trembling as they assessed his state.

Nolan, eyes clenched shut in a battle for control,stirred at the sound of her voice. His lids fluttered open, revealing irises ablaze with a feverish, chaotic hunger.

It was her.

It was Eleanor.

In that fleeting moment, Nolan's restraint shattered With a desperate surge, he drew Eleanor into his arms,his lips, searing with unspoken longing, capturing hers in a fierce, consuming kiss.