Chapter 32 The One Behind It
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Eleanor felt a surge of relief and couldn’t help but raise her voice. “Mr. Jenkins, maybe you should learn how to understand simple words–when someone says no, it means no, not “maybe or I’m playing hard to get.”
Mateo was dragged out.
A sudden silence filled the room, the crowd staring at Eleanor, some with skepticism, others sizing her up, their curiosity palpable… and there was Jayden, looking at her with disapproval.
Eleanor turned, grabbed the microphone, her thin figure almost ghostly under the harsh. lights.
She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes glimmering with tears, a mix of self–mockery and the feeling of surviving something dark.
But she smiled faintly and said, “Today, I want to thank someone. Jayden. It’s because of his unwavering belief in my innocence that he arranged this press conference. Though I’m not related by blood to the Davis family, they’ve treated me like their own, and they would never harm me. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Eleanor bowed deeply to Jayden.
Even though Jayden was still angry, he had no words to argue with her, so he simply smiled and nodded at the crowd. This move had swiftly diffused the Davis family’s public crisis.
The press conference ended.
Eleanor quickly caught up to Aleigha, her voice full of gratitude. “Thank you. If you hadn’t found the evidence against Mateo, I-”
Aleigha signaled for her colleagues to get in the car first, then hesitated before looking at Eleanor.
“It wasn’t me. It was Elijah’s decision. He’s the one who sent people to find those girls. It only took one night. Before, when we tried to talk to them, none of them wanted to get involved with the Jenkins family.”
Eleanor’s breath caught in her chest, stunned. “What…?”
Aleigha’s voice turned serious. “Mateo’s going down. No way he’s escaping prison this time. And the Jenkins family won’t be able to save him”
Eleanor felt her world shift. Was Elijah’s goal to have Mateo face all his crimes, not just the attempted assault?
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Chapter 32 The One Behind It
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Aleigha patted her on the shoulder. “I think you should talk to Elijah. There seems to be some misunderstanding between you two.”
By the time Eleanor snapped out of her thoughts, Aleigha was already walking away.
Just then, she saw Elijah emerge. She hesitated for a moment, ready to approach him, but as he shifted to one side, he made way for Jayden.
Without thinking. Eleanor instinctively ducked chind a nearby plant.
Through the leaves, it was clear Jayden was upse
Elijah stood in the shadows, lighting a cigarette. The smoke swirled around him, and his eyes, dark and unreadable, held a chilling depth.
Jayden cut to the chase. “Did you do this?”
Elijah exhaled a cloud of smoke and replied flatly, “Reconciliation only solves things temporarily. I don’t like being cornered. Eleanors disruption created chaos in the Jenkins. family, so why settle for small gains when I can go for the bigger ones?”
He flicked ash off his cigarette, the smoke hiding his face, making it impossible to read his expression.
Jayden nodded, acknowledging the move.
“You played this well, but Zoey…”
“Has nothing to do with it. She won’t be harmed. Elijah’s voice was low and final.
“If you’re protecting her, that’s your choice, but Eleanor…” Jayden’s voice darkened. “She dares to play games with me. She can’t stay.”
“Dad, no need to waste energy on people who don’t matter.” Elijah slowly took another drag, his tone indifferent.
Jayden shot him a glance, clearly satisfied with his composure. “Fine, I’ll go.”
After Jayden left, Elijah stood with his back to Eleanor, still smoking.
Eleanor, leaning against the wall, covered her mouth, her body shaking, feeling as though the life had drained from her. She was just a pawn in Elijah’s game, and he was still protecting Zoey.
The words “no meaning” echoed in her mind, and her body trembled uncontrollably as she stared blankly at the pale wall.
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Chapter 32 The One Behind It
Time passed. Eventually, Elijah left.
Eleanor gathered herself and slowly made her way back to the hall.
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Inside, Zoey appeared to be the picture of suffering, her eyes red and swollen, as she leaned into Elijah’s embrace.
She even shot Eleanor a provocative glance, as if to say, “No matter what happens, Elijah will always protect me.”
Eleanor straightened her back and walked towards them, holding out a USB drive to Elijah.
“Elijah, this contains a conversation between Zoey and Dylan. I’m sure you’ll be very interested in it.”
Zoey’s face drained of color, and as Elijah reached out to take the USB, Zoey grabbed it, only to accidentally drop it to the floor.
In her panic, she stepped on it, shattering it.
With an apologetic look, she stammered, “Sorry Elijah, I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to grab it for you.
Eleanor glanced at the broken USB, then turned and walked away.
III
