Chapter 8 - Eleanor’s Real Empire
Eleanor entered the lake house wearing the same black dress from dinner.
She was followed by two attorneys and four private security officers.
Julian was not with her.
That fact told Elena everything.
This meeting had never been meant for him.
Eleanor climbed the staircase slowly.
“You always were the disappointing one, Thomas.”
Thomas moved beside Elena.
“You should leave.”
Eleanor smiled.
“My own house?”
She looked at Elena.
“Apparently we need to stop pretending.”
Elena crossed her arms.
“That would be refreshing.”
Eleanor walked into the study.
“You think owning Meridian makes you powerful.”
“It makes me powerful enough that you drove here before sunrise.”
Eleanor’s smile disappeared.
She looked at Thomas.
“Give me the drive.”
“No.”
“You’ve spent your entire life hiding behind stronger people.”
Thomas swallowed.
“Maybe.”
Then he looked at Elena.
“But I finally chose the right one.”
Eleanor laughed.
“You think she’ll protect you?”
Elena answered.
“Yes.”
The old woman studied her.
Then she said something Elena did not expect.
“Julian married you because I told him to.”
Silence filled the room.
Thomas lowered his eyes.
Elena already suspected it.
Hearing it still hurt.
Eleanor continued.
“We learned someone connected to the Ward family was buying our debt.”
“You knew about Meridian.”
“We knew enough.”
“So Julian approached me intentionally.”
“Yes.”
Every memory of their courtship changed at once.
The accidental meeting.
The perfect timing.
His patience.
His fascination with her work.
All rehearsed.
Elena forced herself to remain still.
“You spent six years trying to gain control.”
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“And we nearly succeeded.”
Thomas interrupted.
“Tell her the rest.”
Eleanor’s eyes flashed.
“Be quiet.”
Thomas stepped toward Elena.
“Julian wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you.”
Eleanor’s expression changed.
Elena turned toward Thomas.
“What?”
“He was supposed to marry you, gain access, and leave.”
Thomas continued.
“But something changed.”
Eleanor snapped.
“Enough.”
Thomas ignored her.
“Julian delayed the plan twice.”
Elena felt her anger sharpen.
“You’re defending him?”
“No.”
Thomas shook his head.
“I’m telling you why Eleanor started using Camille.”
Eleanor suddenly moved toward the desk.
One security officer reached for the drive.
Marcus appeared in the doorway behind him.
“Don’t.”
Everyone stopped.
Elena looked at Eleanor.
“You came for the ledger.”
Eleanor smiled.
“No.”
Her eyes moved toward Elena’s phone.
“I came because Julian has finally realized what you are.”
Elena’s phone rang.
Julian.
She answered.
His voice was shaking.
“Elena.”
She said nothing.
May you like
Then Julian whispered four words.
“My mother framed me.”
