"Mr. Ford is here."
The employees in the secretary’s office gathered around, eager to watch the drama unfold.
"What’s going on?"
Sebastian Ford was dressed in all black, without a tie, his collar slightly open, exuding a lazy and casual aura.
His deep gaze swept over as he asked in a low and commanding voice.
At that mont, Eleanor Valerius intended to speak up and alert him.
Laura Bellamy, the most seasoned and resourceful one here, hurriedly and earnestly reported, "Mr. Ford, I saw Assistant Valerius sneaking into your office. When I exposed her attempt to steal sothing, she denied it. I suggested checking the surveillance footage for evidence."
"We can’t check the surveillance!"
Eleanor Valerius looked at Sebastian with a troubled expression, furrowing her brows and shaking her head slightly, pleading with him.
Sebastian countered with a question, "What did Assistant Valerius try to steal?"
"The Jade Bracelet."
Laura assud Mr. Ford would trust her, imdiately handing over the bracelet as evidence, casting a fleeting glance at Eleanor, and subtly slandering, "I know you love collecting jade ornants. This masterpiece could never belong to Assistant Valerius.
I think she might have been so enchanted by the bracelet that she couldn’t resist the urge to steal it. It’s not terrible to make a mistake; admitting it is important."
Considering that Eleanor was, after all, a relative of the Ford Family.
Laura’s complaint was skillful, trampling on Eleanor while highlighting her own kindness and generosity.
Because Eleanor did not rush to refute or explain.
Subsequently, the entire secretarial office believed she indeed wanted to steal sothing.
"Assistant Valerius."
Sebastian chuckled softly, holding the bracelet, his gaze turning cold as he asked, "Why didn’t you tell Secretary Bellamy that I gave you this bracelet?"
As he spoke, the situation reversed.
Laura was wide-eyed with disbelief, murmuring, "How is that possible..."
The crowd was astonished, knowing the relationship between the Valerius Family and the Ford Family was quite distant.
Now Mr. Ford had given such a valuable bracelet to Eleanor Valerius. Was there sothing more ambiguous between Mr. Ford and Assistant Valerius?
However, none dared to voice their suspicions.
Eleanor stiffened slightly.
She realized Sebastian was questioning her.
The gazes around could easily notice her and Sebastian’s secretive relationship.
"I didn’t have the chance to say."
Suddenly, Eleanor composed herself, smiled calmly, and further explained, "Mr. Ford handed the bracelet to to place it in the drawer. Unfortunately, Secretary Bellamy saw it but refused to listen to my explanation, insisting on checking the surveillance."
The crowd understood Mr. Ford’s intention was for her to place it in the office, not to give it to her.
This made more sense because it was inconceivable for Mr. Ford to have an ambiguous relationship with Eleanor Valerius.
"Mr. Ford, I overreacted."
Laura was quick-witted, realizing the situation, and promptly apologized, "It’s my fault for not clarifying, leading to a misunderstanding with Assistant Valerius. I will be more cautious in the future."
Sebastian, with a restrained gaze, remained silent, returning to his desk with the bracelet.
"People around truly have skills."
He spoke leisurely, his voice unpredictable, "Not even listening to , do you wish to challenge my authority?"
The office was silent.
No one could discern if Mr. Ford was scolding Laura or Eleanor.
"Mason, bring the surveillance footage."
Mason Monroe dared not disobey but was surprised by Mr. Ford’s decision.
In truth, Laura was highly competent and loyal, not a spy for the heiress or second master.
Master Ford, usually rational, was now blurring public and private matters for Miss Valerius?
The words ’surveillance footage’ made Eleanor sweat at the back.
Could it possibly reveal their intense overti session?
Soon after, Mason presented footage from the marketing departnt event where Laura had pushed Eleanor into the water.
The latter part, where Sebastian jumped into the pool to save her, was of course not disclosed.
Eleanor sighed in relief.
"Mr. Ford, I..."
Laura was left speechless, staring at her undeniable actions.
"Staying by my side, you should know your place without any ulterior motives."
This was a warning from Sebastian.
Everyone in the secretarial office felt uneasy.
On the surface, it seed Mr. Ford dismissed Laura for her scheming actions of falsely accusing a colleague.
It wasn’t necessarily about defending Eleanor. Mr. Ford was angered by being deceived.
However, what Eleanor heard was his act of setting an example to deter others.
Once Mason escorted Laura away and shut the office door.
Eleanor stood there facing a gradually angered Sebastian.
"Explain."
He tapped the desk with the bracelet.
Eleanor worried he might smash the bracelet, hastily whimpered, "I don’t dare wear it. I’ve never received such an expensive gift. Gifts from the Lancaster Family didn’t impress , and being a mistress’ gift could be evidence of infidelity."
"You know why I’m angry, yet you knowingly commit the offense."
Sebastian sneered, casually tossing the bracelet onto the desk.
A million dollars!
Eleanor hurried to protect the bracelet.
Suddenly, he unexpectedly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him while lying on the table.
"Is it that you don’t want our relationship discovered because you want to keep it exciting or are you planning an escape?"
Eleanor’s breath hitched, he suspected her?
"I’m still the fiancée of the Lancaster Family. If our relationship goes public, the lover will be criticized by everyone; I would feel sorry for you."
In the next instant, she bowed her head to kiss his finger, coquettishly saying, "The bracelet is mine. I’ll leave it with my lover for safekeeping. When I can openly wear it, I’ll co find you."
Eleanor didn’t want it!
Sentintal evidence was like a ticking ti bomb.
She didn’t care about being scorned as the daughter of the Valerius Family or rejected by the Lancaster Family. But her illicit relationship with Sebastian, it must never be made public.
...
Afternoon.
After being personally reprimanded by Sebastian, Eleanor still needed to temporarily take over Laura’s duties and attend a dinner party with him.
She didn’t expect, a simple dinner among wealthy families, to resemble a grand feast.
Even Byron Ford was here, his ambition blatantly evident.
"Master Ford."
Sebastian’s arrival commanded the entire room’s attention.
Eleanor accompanied him, wearing an off-white professional suit, her subtle makeup still unable to mask her stunning appearance.
"Third Master, do you take her everywhere you go now?"
Byron held a wine glass, his smile hiding his ulterior motives.
"Hmm, her beauty is also an asset."
Sebastian didn’t deny it, responding with a distant smile to the flattering greetings.
He had Eleanor hold the docunts, not even needing to carry a wine glass.
"A significant guest from Aldoria has arrived in Aethelgard today." Byron voluntarily ntioned, "Representing the Sinclair Family."
Eleanor had also heard of the Sinclair Family na, whose wealth and influence rivaled the Ford Family’s.
Moreover, the two families engaged in business dealings and were competitors.
"Has the Second Young Master Sinclair co?"
Sebastian inquired indifferently.
"No, it’s the Sinclair Family’s top lawyer."
Byron’s gaze just landed as he spoke, smiling as he noted, "He arrived just as we ntioned him."
Suddenly, Eleanor followed Sebastian’s gaze and turned around.
The Sinclair Family’s lawyer was young and handso, dressed impeccably in a suit, with silver-rimd glasses, his smile courteous and polite.
Yet, beneath the lenses, his eyes carried a hint of indistinct unreality.
"Third Master Ford."
The man stepped forward, extending a business card as he introduced himself, "My na is Damian Lowell, representing the Sinclair Family. We t once abroad."
Upon hearing his surna was Lowell, everyone’s expressions beca subtly nuanced.
Who could forget how the Lowell Family of Aethelgard had once plotted against Third Master Ford, only to face his reprisal in the city?
"Mr. Lowell... lawyer?"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, handing over his business card, his gaze calmly evaluating him.
"Is the Lowell surna rare in Aethelgard? Is it even a surprise to Master Ford?"
Damian smiled gently, offering a second business card to Eleanor.
"Hello."
Hello, Eleanor, long ti no see.
Since parting from the orphanage, does she still rember him?
Didn’t she once say she would marry him when she grew up?
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