Chapter 12
Eleanor lay on her bed, tossing and turning. The sting on her face had numbed to a dull ache, but it was enough to keep her wide awake. Suddenly, the door flew open with a loud bang.
Gregory stood at the door and pointed a trembling finger at Eleanor, his face red with fury. “You little monster Alexis has already been through so much, and you still had the nerve to slap her? Do you even have a shred of humanity left?”
Eleanor didn’t look surprised by his dramatic entrance. She sat up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, so she ran off to tattle on me! I knew it.”
“Shut up!” Gregory roared. “She has every right to tell me! How dare you slap her so hard?”
“If you think she was right, then sure, she was right,” Eleanor said flatly. She turned her head away, not even bothering to spare Gregory a glance. Her indifference only made Gregory angrier. His hand shot out, and he slapped her hard. Then again, on the other cheek for good measure.
Eleanor wasn’t quick enough to dodge, but her tongue was as sharp as ever. “Wow, you’re defending Alexis so fiercely. Anyone watching would think she’s your real daughter.”
“You” Gregory froze for a second. Eleanor’s words hit a nerve, but the dim lighting hid the flicker of guilt on his face.
Eleanor gathered her strength, shoved him away, and snapped, “Get out. I don’t need some deadbeat freeloader jumping around like a clown in front of me.”
Every word was like a knife that cut deep into Gregory’s pride. His temper snapped, and he slapped her again, harder this time.
Pointing a shaking finger at her, he shouted, “Listen, Jennifer has already found a man for you. In three days, you’ll be married off The Reed family doesn’t need an ungrateful wretch like you under its rooff
With that, he stormed out and slammed the door hard. Eleanor sat there, stunned for a moment. She muttered to herself, Three days! Jennifer really picked someone for me to marry?
Her fists clenched, and she bit down hard on her lip. She swore inwardly. I can’t marry that person. No way will I let the Reed family dictate my life.
‘I must stop this and tell this to Dominick. Even if he hates me now, even if our relationship was long dead, I don’t believe he will stand by and let me be forced into a marriage:
In the living room, Gregory stomped back in, still seething with anger.
Jennifer noticed his livid face and immediately stood up. She hurried over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Honey, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“That wretched girl really
rally pissed me off, Gregory spat, his voice still trembling with rage. He then collapsed onto couch and breathed heavily. “Honey, Jennifer frowned like a disappointed schoolteacher. “I’ve told you before, don’t call Ellie like that. She’s a girl, after all. If you keep treating her this way, how will she ever fit into her future husband’s family?
“You think I’ve been too mean to her? But she… Gregory barked and then paused to think about Jennifer’s words. “Wait… husband? You’ve already
Jennifer smiled. “Yeah, I was planning to take my time and find someone truly perfect, but after what Ellie’s done… Well, if she insists on causing trouble, I don’t have a choice.
“Getting her married quickly is the best solution. Who knows! Maybe once she’s married, shell finally let go of this ridiculous obsession with Dominick and stop embarrassing herself and us
Alexis chimed in. Exactly. Honestly, I don’t mind Eleanor interfering in my life with Dominick. After all, she’s been through so much. Even if she once hurt me. I can forgive her. But what if the annoys Dominick? If that happens, the entire Reed family could suffer the consequences?
Gergory’s expression radiated worries at the thought. He knew they couldn’t afford to offend Dominick “So, this match you’ve found… is sented?” Jennifer nodded with a sauished unile She had indeed “carefully picked out a man for Eleanor–a drunkard, a gambler, a brawler, a womanizer. In
of the worst. Finding someone so perfectly terrible hadn’t been easy, but she managed
“Perfect” Gregory said, has mood thing “Get Eleanor married to him as soon as possible. Have him take her far away forever, if possible. That way. she’ll never be able to cause trouble for Dominick again”
Dreame–Read Roman
Chapter 12
Jennifer pouted playfully and teased, “Oh, honey, why the rush? Don’t you want to meet that guy
first?
“Why would I bother with that?” Gregory snorted. “As long as he’s a man and he’s breathing, that’s good enough. Do you think Eleanor, a convict, deserves anything better?”
“She certainly doesn’t, a deep, key voice interrupted.
Gregory spun around, startled. Domnick stood there, his presence so
so commanding that it made the room feel ten degrees colder
“Oh. M–Mr. Vanderbilt, Gregory stammered and bowed his head in deference. Despite being Alexis’s stepfather, he knew his place in Dominick’s world and wouldn’t dare act like a real father–in–law.
Jennifer hurried forward, plastering on her most ingratiating smile. “Oh what a surprise. We were just discussing Eleanor’s marriage. Perhaps you
Dominick’s icy gaze landed on her, silencing her instantly. Her breath caught, and the words she’d prepared died in her throat
Without a word. Dominick strode to the grandest sofa in the room and sat down his every movement exuding power. He leaned back slightly. Sing his cold eyes on Jennifer and Gregory.
“Eleanor’s marriage,” he said slowly, his voice low and cutting, “you’ve already decided on it?”
Jennifer and Gregory exchanged nervous glances. Panie flickered in their eyes as their mind raced. What’s wrong? Did we misread him? Did he not want Eleanor to marry!
It could make sense. Even if Eleanor had fallen out of favor, she used to be Dominick’s woman. A cruel and possessive man like him wouldn’t easily let another man lay claim to what had once been his.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, we were–Jennifer tried to explain they had done everything for Eleanor’s good.
Dominick raised a hand and silenced her again. His voice turned colder, like ice cracking. “No matter who you’ve chosen, she doesn’t deserve a man like that”
Jennifer and Gregory widened their eyes, lost in thoughts.
“I have someone in mind,” Dominick continued, his tone sharp enough to cut anything. “Someone more fitting for someone like Eleanor
Hearing that, Gregory immediately felt relieved. He thought, So Dominick isn’t against Eleanor getting married–he simply wants to handpick her hunlund himself.
“Mr.
Dominick sud. Mr. Reed, do you agree to let Eleanor marry the man I’ve chosen!”
Gregory nodded frantically “Yes, of course. That’s her pleasure.”
“Good” Dominick’a lips curved into a cold smile, his amusement as sharp as a knife. Then go inform Eleanor of the arrangement.”
Alexis, who had remained quiet until now, suddenly spoke, “Wait, Nick”
Dominar turned to her, his expression untradable. “Yeah?””
exas but her ligi, looking hesitant, and then said softly, “I think… Eleanor still has feelings for you. Maybe, deep down, she still believes there’s a hanor between you two. If you tell her about the manage yourself, it might help her let go. Don’t you think?”
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