Chapter 14
As Alexis snapped back to reality, her expression suddenly turned gloomy. She wheeled herself back to the villa and stopped outside Eleanor’s room. The locked door brought a cold smirk to her lips.
Gregory was also pacing outside the room, fuming. When he saw Alexis return, he hurried over to ask, “Alexis, Dominick didn’t lose his temper over that wretch, did he?”
“Not at all,” Alexis replied casually. “Why would Dominick get upset? You know how close we are, don’t you, Dad?”
“Of course. Sweetie, I’m so proud of you Gregory beamed, nodding eagerly. “You’re nothing like that disgrace. All she ever does is make Dominick angry. Honestly, she’s bener off dead”
Inside the room, Eleanor bit her lips tightly and trembled all over. Even though she already knew Dominick had abandoned her, hearing Alexis flaunt it like this made her feel disgusted to the core.
Outside, Jennifer shot Gregory a sharp look and said, “Enough, Gregory. Watch your mouth, okay?”
“Well, well” Gregory said, trying to smooth things over. “Alexis, have some rest now. Who k
put on a sweet smile a
knows, Dominick might want to see you tomorrow.
and replied, “Dad, my own affairs can wait. Eleanor’s situation is far more important.”
Gregory frowned. “Didn’t Dominick already arrange everything! What else is there to worry about?”
“That’s precisely why it’s important,” Alexis replied, her lips curling into a sly smile “Since Dominick personally set this up, we need to make sure everything goes perfectly. Imagine if he found out
“Ah, you do make a point Gregory said with nods. “So, what’s your plan for dealing with this?”
What else can we do?” Alexis’s smile turned syrupy sweet. “Since Dominick has made his decision, it’s clearly for the best. As for the next steps we’ll just follow his timeline and make sure Eleanor goes through with the wedding”
“Fair enough,” Gregory grunted in agreement, though a trace of doubt lingered. “But do we just sit around doing nothing for the next few days?”
Alexis chewed on her lip and thought for a while, and she said, “Actually, Dad, I’m not sure doing nothing is a good idea. You know Eleanor’s temper. What if she tries to resist?”
Gregory’s face unmediately clouded over with fury. That ungrateful brat! After all that time in prison, she still can’t be obedient. If I’d known this, I’d have made sure she never walked out alive”
“Dad, let it go.” Alexis pretended to placate him. “I’m not holding it against her. She did apologize, after all. But if she doesn’t change her attitude. this marriage will fall apart. We keep an eye on her and make sure she has no chance to resist.”
Gregory frowned deeply, “And how do we keep an eye on her?”
A
“Oh, it’s simple,” Alexis said, finally revealing her true intent. “Either we make sure she’s too preoccupied to fight back or we make it impossible for
her to resisL”
Gregory’s eyes narrowed as he mulled it over. “Too preoccupied? That’s not gonna happen we know how stubborn she is. But… making it impossible for her to resist? Yup. I guess that might work.”
The two shared a knowing glance, and their plan silently agreed upon,
Inside the room. Eleanor had long since stopped paying attention to the conversation outside. Cold, hungry, and utterly drained, she eventually passed out from exhaustion. In her dreams, memories of her past with Dominick flooded her mind.
Truth be told, Dominick had never really been that kind to her, even back then. To the outside world, it looked Beyond reason. But Heanor had always felt something was missing from that so–called “affection“,
like he adored her and spoiled her
Sure, hed occasionally listen to her or loss her a teasing remark. There was always this invisible wall between them–especially in public, where his aloofness made luru seem untouchable, even to her.
Everyone else thought she was the exception, the one person he treated with warmth. Di been there
But Eleanor knew that the barrier between them had always
was, and the fact that he spoiled her meant he
Back then, she’d convinced herself it was just his personality. His coldness was simply who he w lave cared for her deeply
Yet now, sering how he acted around Alexis–a similar mix of distant politeness and occasional indulgence–Eleanor couldn’t help but feel her
Dreame Dead —
2/2
3:00 PM &
Chapter 14
stomach churn. The only difference was that Dominick had never crossed certain lines with Alexis. Everything else? They’d done it all.
The realization jolted her awake. She shot upright and wiped tears off her face before she even realized she’d been crying
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She told herself in mind, “Crying What good would that do I need to focus on finding a way out of this mess and delinucly out of the marriage Dominick has planned for me.
The enure Reed family was dead set on forcing her into this union. Her only option now was to escape. Her first instinct was to reach out to Rachel But the more she thought about it, the more she hesitated.
That fiasco with the drugging plan had already backfired, and she wasn’t sure if Rachel had gotten caught in the fallout. Either way, dragging Rachel into this again wasn’t worth the risk. This time, she’d have to rely on herself
But to escape, she needed strength, and that meant food. Her stomach growled loudly as if agreeing with her. Frustrated but determined. Eleanor banged on the door and shouted. “Hey Anyone out there! Bring me some food, or I swear I’ll starve to death in here!”
Eric’s chilling voice answered from the other side. “Ms. Reed. I’m afraid there’s no food left for you in this household”
Eleanor retorted, “Let’s get one thing straight. You’re supposed to keep me alive long enough to marry Dominick’s chosen idiot, not hunger. Do you think Dominick will be happy if I drop dead before the wedding?”
let me
me die of
ip with him.
Eric insisted, “Ms. Reed, it was Mr. Reed himself who gave the order not to bring you anything. If you’ve got complaints, take them up I’m just the messenger,
Eleanor from a sinking g feeling creeping up her spine. “Gregory? What the hell is he playing at?”
Eric’s voice took on an even darker edge. “Mr. Reed said that keeping you well–fed might give you too much time to think. So, to keep you from getting any bright ideas, he decided it’s better if you stay a little hungry
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You guys are unbelievable!”
She never expected her real father would figure out such a ruthless way for her.
Eric remained silent, clearly having no intention of continuing the conversation.
Eleanor gritted her teeth, realizing there was no point in arguing. Pleading with them would get her nowhere. If she wanted to get out, she’d have to figure it out on her own
Pacing the room, she began inspecting every corner and every possible exit The door was out of the question; she could hear the guards just outside. The windows Boarded up tight. But she refused to give up. No way to let Gregory–or Dominick–dictate her fate.
After what felt like an eternity, she found in An overlooked tiny flaw in the room’s defenses.
