Mrs. Eliza Grant, the current Mayor of Stockport Council, had been busier than ever. Ever since the shocking events now known as the Stockport Scandal, which utterly destroyed the once-mighty Brown family, her prominence in the region had grown day by day.
With MP Oliver Brown having fled after the scandal and still missing, an arrest warrant was issued and his na was added to Interpol’s wanted list. Everyone in Stockport now believed that Eliza Grant would soon be the next mber of Parliant for the area.
The Brown family had dominated both business and politics in the region for years. Nurous developnt projects were ongoing under their na, but following their bankruptcy, every one of those projects ca to an abrupt halt. The public saw no hope of completion... until Mayor Grant stepped in.
She brought the powerful Miller Group from Manchester and successfully negotiated their involvent to take over and complete the stalled projects.
From a business perspective, the Miller Group faced so initial losses, but the decision significantly boosted their reputation in Stockport and skyrocketed Mayor Grant’s popularity. Although the council lacked adequate funds for large-scale developnt, she forged collaborations with other agencies, leveraging influence and goodwill to get the work done.
Just as she finished an interview with several dia outlets, her phone vibrated. Glancing down and seeing the caller ID read Eleanor, she imdiately silenced the phone.
Then, standing up with grace, she addressed the reporters, "Thank you for your support. If you have more questions, feel free to post them on my page. I’ll respond personally. Now, please excuse . I need to attend to so official matters."
With that, she swiftly exited the conference room and walked straight to her private office. Closing the door behind her, she picked up the call.
Eleanor’s crisp voice ca through imdiately. "Mayor Grant, please go to London today and et the Party Chairman. Tomorrow’s eting will fill the party’s vacant positions. You need to be there."
Eliza sighed softly. "I told you to call aunt, but you never listen," she said with a wry smile.
Then, regaining her composure, she added, "Alright. I’ll catch the afternoon flight."
Eleanor continued, "You should start focusing on the national stage. In your constituency, your popularity is more than enough. Your nomination is secured. If you want an important role, it’s ti to start networking with the Lords. Also, Baron Chapman needs reliable people by his side."
"I know. Don’t worry," Eliza replied confidently. "I’ll handle it."
"Good. I’ve got other matters to attend to. If there’s nothing else, take care," Eleanor said, her tone sharp but not unfriendly.
"I’ll call if I need anything," Eliza promised.
"Okay." The call ended.
Eliza placed the phone gently on the desk and sank into her chair. A wave of quiet reflection washed over her.
How had she co this far?
She was content being Mayor. Becoming an MP had always been her dream to step into her late father’s footsteps, and she had been chasing it more for him than herself. But now, that distant dream was within reach.
Ever since she t Eleanor, her entire worldview had shifted. The young woman... just in her twenties... held more power and influence than seasoned politicians.
Eliza chuckled to herself, the corner of her lips curling into a smile. "Esralda... what a monster you created! You fled from politics, but now your daughter bends it to her will."
She leaned back in her chair, the smile still lingering, knowing she was about to step into a ga far larger than she had ever imagined.
***
When Eleanor arrived at Hope Specialized Hospital, she went straight to Isabella’s cabin. Isabella’s treatnt was essentially complete. The upcoming follow-up sessions were routine and could be handled by any competent doctor familiar with breast cancer. Today, she would be discharged, and Eleanor had co to take her to her villa.
Pushing the door open, Eleanor stepped inside. Behind her, her protocol officer, Laila, followed silently. But the mont Eleanor entered the room, her eyes landed on a middle-aged man in a black suit, seated on a chair. He bore a slight resemblance to Aunt Bella.
"Oh, Eleanor! You’re here," Isabella smiled warmly. "Let introduce you. This is my son, Isaac. And Isaac, this is Eleanor, the one I’ve been telling you about."
Isaac stood up and gave a polite bow. "I don’t know how I can ever express my gratitude, Lady Langford. If it weren’t for you, my mother would probably still be waiting in the NHS queue. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask."
Eleanor waved her hand dismissively. "I didn’t do it for thanks... or for you. My mother entrusted Aunt Bella with raising after her death. Now that I’m grown, it’s my turn to take care of her."
Isaac nodded, undeterred. "Regardless of your reason, you’re now a benefactor of our family. I’ll always treat you as such."
Eleanor didn’t argue. Instead, she turned to Laila. "Pack everything Aunt Bella needs to take ho. And give the new dress I bought."
With a soft, "Oh!" Laila handed the bag to Eleanor, then began moving around the room to pack Isabella’s belongings.
Eleanor walked over to Isabella and handed her the bag. "Aunt Bella, please change into this dress. Freya is waiting for you at ho. The clothes you’ve been wearing here might be contaminated. Let Laila take care of packing. We’ll wash everything once we’re back."
Isabella hesitated. "But Isaac ca to bring to his ho. I’m feeling fine. I can travel to London now."
Eleanor replied calmly, "If you want to spend a few days with your family, I have no objection. But first, co ho with today. Freya’s been very eager to see you. Tomorrow, you can leave for London."
She turned to Isaac. "How were you planning to take her back?"
"I drove here," Isaac said. "I was going to take her ho in my car."
"Then it’s settled. You’ll both stay at my place tonight. After breakfast tomorrow, you can drive her back to London."
Her tone left no room for argunt. Isaac nodded, still feeling slightly overwheld. "As you wish, Lady Langford. My mother can certainly stay for a day. I’ve already taken the day off tomorrow. I’ll just book a nearby hotel for the night."
Isaac had heard from his mother that Eleanor was the daughter of Lady Esralda Langford, but he didn’t know her current family na. Out of respect, he used her mother’s title when addressing her... just as one would address the descendant of an Earl. Eleanor didn’t correct him. Nor did she feel the need to.
"You won’t need a hotel," she said flatly. "There’s plenty of space in my ho."
At that mont, Laila finished packing. "Everything’s ready," she inford Eleanor.
Eleanor nodded. "Aunt Bella, let’s go."
"Wait, don’t we need to inform the doctors? They haven’t given a discharge certificate yet," Isabella asked.
"There’s no need to worry," Eleanor replied. "They’ll send all the paperwork and necessary dications to later."
"Alright then." Isabella smiled and followed her out of the room.
Laila had already inford the driver, so the convoy was waiting at the hospital entrance.
Standing beside her Range Rover, Eleanor turned to Isaac. "Where’s your car?"
He pointed to a sedan parked nearby.
Eleanor nodded. "Good. Follow my car. Laila, inform security of his number plate. He’ll be at the end of the convoy."
She then helped Isabella into her car before getting in herself. Laila took the passenger seat.
Isaac hurried to his own car and pulled out of the parking lot. As soon as he did, Eleanor’s car rolled forward. Two identical Range Rovers moved in front of him, and Isaac quickly realized they were all part of her convoy.
As the vehicles left the hospital grounds, several of the sa cars joined the formation. At one intersection, when they all turned right, Isaac counted at least nine similar vehicles ahead of him. He had no idea which one carried his mother and Eleanor.
Cursing the excesses of the wealthy, he resigned himself to following the convoy from behind.
Thankfully, the speed limits within the city kept the cars close together. Eventually, they entered a private gate that shut imdiately behind him. The convoy slowed, and finally ca to a stop inside an enormous estate.
Isaac got out of his car, unsure what to do.
Laila approached him swiftly. "Hello, Mr. Isaac. Your mother is already inside the boss’s villa. A place has been arranged for you to stay the night. Please don’t wander around alone. If you need anything, call the house staff or one of the guards. Also, do not order delivery from outside. If you need to leave the premises, inform us beforehand."
She glanced behind him. "Maxwell, this is a guest of the boss. Please take him to the guest villa."
"Guest villa?" Isaac muttered, astonished. He didn’t even have a proper guest room in his own ho.
But his thoughts were cut short when a deep voice spoke beside him. "Sir, please follow ."
Isaac turned... and nearly collapsed in fright.
Behind him stood a tall, black-clad man carrying a large Machine Gun type weapon on his back, with a pistol strapped to his side. He looked like a soldier ready for battle.
Isaac instinctively looked toward the gate... and saw two more ard guards stationed there. He glanced around and noticed several soldiers with similar weapons patrolling the area. His heart pounded in his chest. It felt as if he weren’t in Manchester anymore, but in Aleppo, Sanaa, or Baghdad. Suddenly, being wealthy lost all its charm.
Wordlessly, he followed Maxwell, who led him to a nearby villa. Inside, a graceful, well-dressed woman greeted them. Maxwell explained Isaac’s identity and left. The woman showed him to a room more luxurious than anything he’d ever imagined.
Once she left and the door clicked shut behind her, Isaac collapsed on the plush bed, still trying to process everything.
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