Eleanor Valerius pretended to playfully complain without a care.
She didn’t know whether the hurt that flashed in her eyes was noticed by him.
Sebastian Ford’s gaze, towering and inscrutable, bore into her.
Perhaps he saw it, but he didn’t ask or expose her.
"Eleanor Valerius, don’t test . You never really intended to ask for my help, so don’t try to guilt into feeling bad for rejecting you."
"..."
Master Ford truly lived up to his reputation as a business tycoon.
His psychological tactics in negotiations were incredibly sophisticated.
Eleanor internally admitted she couldn’t compare, giving a light, mocking smile as she said, "My Master Ford is so impressive, no wonder I can’t get enough of you~"
But inside, she couldn’t bring herself to smile.
Now she understood the mindset and thoughts of Sebastian as soone in power.
Knowing the outco, how could she run headlong into a wall?
Their relationship was all about physical pleasure and mutual calculation.
The more aware they were, the more they restrained themselves from sinking deeper.
Yet, no one expected that consciously sinking was the most terrifying of all.
"Eleanor Valerius, you’ve never taken to heart."
Sebastian questioned softly, as if pronouncing her guilt.
Even at this mont, as she obediently and sweetly nestled in his arms, no matter how intimate their bodies were, a distance remained in their hearts.
He was genuinely frustrated by her clarity and rationality.
Why! Why was he the only one going mad, sinking deeper and deeper?
"What more do you want to prove?"
Suddenly, Eleanor’s cheek brushed his palm as she stood on tiptoe and offered her lips.
"I say I love you, and I’ve said and done it many tis, how could that not count as taking you to heart? I’m enduring accusations of infidelity just to enjoy monts with you, I’ve given you everything I could, what more do you want?"
Sebastian squinted, scrutinizing her in her wedding dress.
"So, do you choose to co with or go back to the Valerius Family?"
Master Ford cared deeply that she hadn’t chosen him for three consecutive tis!
Even if she was playing hard to get, he wasn’t the one being caught.
Eleanor looked at him with bright eyes, her red lips slightly parted, as if pondering how to respond.
"Enough, I don’t want to hear it!"
"?"
Sebastian realized Eleanor was going to reject him.
His pride couldn’t take it.
He regretted asking, embarrassed by his own humiliation.
"This ti, I’ll choose."
Watching her, Sebastian tried to salvage his pride: "I’m the one deciding to leave. When you return to the Valerius Family, reflect well and rember you owe your ex-fiancé for today’s successful breakup. But for breaking your promise to , you’ll have to acknowledge your mistake and make it up to . I’ll be waiting."
He retreated tactically, waiting for Eleanor to take the initiative and soothe him.
"Oh."
Eleanor understood.
He wasn’t angry about being used by her, but about her indifference toward him.
At this mont, Sebastian was quite proud, pretending to nonchalantly push her away from his embrace.
Of course, Eleanor’s choice was to return to the Valerius Family.
...
Regina Jennings waited for Eleanor Valerius to return.
"Kneel, all of you!"
At that mont, in wedding attire, Eleanor and the injured Ivy Valerius both knelt in the living room.
"The good daughters I raised turned out to be ungrateful, rebellious wolves. Who gave you the guts to defy ? If it weren’t for my kindness adopting you, would you have enjoyed the good life in the Valerius Family, eating well, wearing brands, riding luxury cars, being the Valerius Family’s ladies?
Listening to her twisted black-and-white discipline, Eleanor and Ivy were both numb internally.
How could the demon who imprisoned them in hell have the audacity to call this kindness?
"Eleanor Valerius! Did you have anything to do with the Lancaster Family’s troubles?"
Regina Jennings approached her with oppressive power, questioning coldly: "Don’t think I don’t know you have a lover outside! Who is he? What gives you the courage to break off the engagent? Feeling bold enough to leave the Valerius Family now?"
Chloe was waiting in the hospital for surgery.
Eleanor had to continue her act of obedience.
"Mother, how could I possess the ans to bankrupt the Lancaster Family. I snuck out last night to indulge with an outside lover; I t him at a nightclub, and we’re just involved physically since Jenson is ineffective!"
She had to keep her lover hidden well!
"Ha, I really underestimated you, turns out you’re the smartest."
Regina Jennings now doubted not the identity of Eleanor’s lover, but her ability to act obedient.
"Is the Valerius Family unable to control you anymore? Are you even ignoring your sister in the hospital?"
The next mont, Regina Jennings lifted Eleanor’s chin, about to raise her hand for a slap.
"Mother can’t hit ."
Eleanor didn’t even blink, instead smiling with confidence.
"Even though the engagent is off, I’m still an unattached third Miss of the Valerius Family. Doesn’t Mother value my usefulness? With my looks and my connections next to Master Ford, isn’t there other families interested?"
With the Lancaster Family’s troubles, returning the bride price isn’t even an option, so Mother has actually profited.
Seeing the hesitance in Regina’s expression.
Eleanor continued smiling, suggesting: "If I can get engaged again, the Valerius Family can make another business. I will obediently stay by Mother’s side, and plead with her to let Chloe get the surgery."
"Do you really have the confidence to sell yourself again after breaking off with the Lancaster Family?"
Regina Jennings hesitated.
Just as Eleanor contemplated how to prove her worth.
Her phone rang, it was a call from Damian Lowell.
"It’s Lawyer Lowell from the Sinclair Family."
Truly her savior.
She answered the call, turning on the speakerphone.
"Lawyer Lowell, did you co to attend my wedding? Seems a bit late, I just broke off the engagent."
She admitted she was purposefully leading Damian to say beneficial things for her.
"I saw the news."
Unaware of her circumstances on his end, Damian felt she wasn’t entirely distant.
"Should I say congratulations? Can we et?"
"Um..."
Eleanor pretended to hesitantly consider.
At this mont, Regina Jennings hurriedly reminded her to agree, not expecting Eleanor to still be a coveted opportunity post-breakup.
"Sure, see you soon."
Eleanor successfully proved her worth to Regina Jennings.
Thus, Regina’s intent to slap transford into a pat on Eleanor’s head.
"As long as you listen to , obediently being the Valerius Family’s third Miss, Chloe’s surgery can proceed as scheduled."
"Rest assured, Mother, I am very good."
Eleanor remained composed and respectful, successfully negotiating.
...
After breaking off the engagent, the first thing Eleanor did was to return the rented wedding dress.
No surveillance, only she and Ivy were in the room.
"Once Chloe’s surgery is done, you won’t be held back by the Valerius Family anymore."
"Yes, only with a healthy body can one have a free soul."
Eleanor turned, gripping Ivy’s hand, declaring resolutely, "Second Sister, cherish yourself, when the ti cos we will leave together!"
"Will I... really be able to leave?"
"Of course!"
Eleanor’s smile radiated youthful resilience.
Touching Ivy, becoming the weak glow of hope in her eyes.
She knew Eleanor was encouraging her, that living requires more courage than dying.
"Alright!"
Through the Lancaster Family, Eleanor learned of Regina Jennings’ criminal activities.
The evidence was still insufficient, she needed to connect with the circle of wealthy ladies for more investigation.
Otherwise, they couldn’t escape; Regina had absolute legal control as their mother.
Afternoon.
Eleanor t Damian Lowell as arranged.
Unexpectedly, it was clandestinely witnessed by the love-struck Julia Ford.
"How could Lawyer Lowell refuse just to et with Eleanor Valerius!?"
Julia, overco with jealousy, made a video call to tattle.
"Uncle! You need to handle Eleanor Valerius, she’s not even responsible for the Sinclair Family’s project, why is she eting with Lawyer Lowell alone!"
"..."
Sebastian’s unprepared gaze suddenly caught Eleanor and Damian eting.
Wonderful!
Now the one seething with jealousy wasn’t just Julia, but him too!
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