Lauren complained, saying that Eric was far too powerful and irresistible to won. In her eyes, any woman who saw him couldn’t help but want to cling to him.
Ella smiled faintly and walked out of the room with Lauren. Sure enough, they found a woman with a crazed expression blocking Eric’s path.
Eric frowned slightly—this maid had actually tracked him down.
"Anne, the opportunity has passed. I’m sorry," Eric said coolly. "Thank you for helping escape Leonard’s estate. I’ll compensate you for that. John, transfer one million to Ms. Anne’s account later."
Eric’s gaze lingered briefly on the scar on the back of Anne’s neck, one he had caused. He felt slightly guilty—after all, without her cooperation, his escape wouldn’t have been possible. At the ti, if Anne hadn’t played along with his act, she wouldn’t have dared betray Leonard.
"Yes, boss," John replied, glancing indifferently at Anne. "Miss, please co with ."
But Anne clung to Eric, refusing to let go. "No, I don’t want money! I want to be Mr. Nelson’s woman..."
She acted shy and coquettish, nearly making Ella and Lauren gag. It was obvious Anne was smart enough to know that no amount of money compared to the value of being Eric’s mistress.
"Miss Anne," a light, teasing voice interrupted, "do you know what kind of woman Mr. Nelson likes? Perhaps I could enlighten you."
A man in a crisp white suit strolled over, his smile warm and refined. His elegant features and gentle deanor exuded charm.
It was Connor.
Ella nodded slightly in greeting, acknowledging him.
Anne froze, stunned by the sight of another handso man—this one smiling at her with undeniable warmth.
Compared to Eric’s cold deanor, this man seed gentle and approachable, a stark contrast.
"Hello, my na is Anne. I’m the maid who saved Mr. Nelson!" she declared boldly.
Ella and Eric were montarily speechless. Was there truly a woman this narcissistic and clueless? Did she think Connor would believe her just because of that?
"Nice to et you, Miss Anne. Please wait over there for a mont. I’d be happy to treat you to a al shortly," Connor said with a polite smile.
Blushing furiously, Anne obediently stepped aside.
Eric twitched his lips in exasperation and turned to Connor. "Connor, your charm is deadly. One appearance, and you’ve already subdued a lovesick fool."
Ella shot Eric a sharp look, a tinge of jealousy in her voice. "Not everyone tries to win people over by throwing money at them like you."
"What are you upset about?" Eric asked with a smirk. "I’m just repaying her for her lovesick behavior. After all, she helped figure out the escape routes."
Lauren was laughing so hard at their exchange that she nearly fell over.
Connor shrugged, still smiling. "Handling won like her is my specialty. But I have to say, I was busy hypnotizing Ellen when I got John’s call telling you’d already made it out. Talk about wasted effort!"
Connor’s tone was lighthearted, but his smile was tinged with regret.
"Thanks for your help this ti," Eric said, raising an eyebrow. "Tomorrow, drinks are on . You and David can drink until you drop. Oh, and Anne’s all yours."
Connor’s smile remained gentle as he replied, "Of course. You and your wife should get so proper rest—you’ve both had a rough ti."
His words carried a teasing undertone, and Ella’s cheeks flushed. What was Connor implying? Nothing had happened between them—yet he made it sound otherwise!
"Ella, I’ll leave you two be. I still have to go check on Henry. But when the wedding happens, make sure to invite ," Lauren added with a playful grin before heading off with Connor.
Ella was left speechless, watching the two leave. Eric pulled her toward their room, his expression growing serious as he closed the door.
"John told about Connor’s involvent," Eric said, his tone heavy. "But I can’t believe you dared to go to Leonard’s house alone. You need to understand—Leonard isn’t as easy to handle as he seems. What if he had taken an interest in you?"
Ella imdiately flopped onto her soft, comfortable bed, stretching out lazily.
"Take an interest in ? Does he really have the guts to snatch away? They’re still wary of my father," she said casually, her tone light.
But as the words left her mouth, Ella froze. Had she just referred to him as "father"?
Eric walked over, gently stroking her long hair. "What’s this? Have you made up your mind? Ready to acknowledge him as your dad?"
Ella lowered her long lashes. "I... I don’t know. I said it without thinking."
Eric chuckled softly. "Deep down, you’re starting to accept him."
"I am not!" Ella huffed, puffing her cheeks indignantly.
"You know," she said after a pause, "the day you went missing, we argued. He said he wouldn’t intervene. If you managed to make it out, he’d acknowledge you as his son-in-law. But if I begged for help, he’d force to marry Luke and only then try to save you." Ella rubbed her temples, her nerves still tight despite everything being resolved over a day ago.
Eric sat beside her, placing his hands on her temples and beginning to gently massage them. "Your father’s frustration makes sense. If I were so easily defeated, so easily subdued, I believe even you would lose faith in —let alone him. I can understand where he’s coming from. If you were my daughter, I’d feel the sa way."
Ella snorted. "But that doesn’t an he can force to marry soone! Has he forgotten I’m already married? Besides, Luke? That cold-faced jerk? No way!"
"You may not like him, but he likes you," Eric teased while continuing his gentle massage.
"Don’t talk nonsense! Why would he like ?" Ella murmured, relaxing under his touch. "That cold-faced guy is always scolding , acting all superior like he’s royalty and I’m so unpolished country girl with no manners."
Eric suppressed a laugh. "He’d make a better brother than a suitor, don’t you think?"
Luke, with his striking mixed-heritage looks and noble deanor, always carried himself with a sense of authority. His sharp attitude toward Ella likely stemd from seeing her as family and feeling protective of her.
But no matter Luke’s feelings, Ella was, and always would be, Eric’s woman.
"Having him as a brother wouldn’t be so bad," Ella muttered. "It’s not like I’d have to live with him anyway."
Despite her words, she still felt a pang of sympathy for Lucas, who had been single for so many years. At least with Luke around, Lucas had soone to rely on.
Eric’s gaze fell on her pouty lips, red and alluring. His throat tightened as he swallowed. "Little enchantress, does your head still hurt?"
Ella, half-lidded eyes closed in contentnt from the massage, humd in response. "It’s much better now..."
"Good," Eric murmured, his voice tinged with mischief. "Because now it’s my turn to relax."
Before she could react, his warm lips pressed against hers, deep and fervent.
Ella’s breath quickened under his heated kisses. Her fingers clutched tightly at his shirt, a small wave of nervousness coursing through her.
The intensity of his affection left her dazed, her heart racing.
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