CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 100: IMPLICIT THREAT

But what she didn’t expect was to see Nathaniel Quinn in the Old Master’s hospital room. Didn’t he get drunk last night? How could he come so early today?

"Grandpa Quinn."

She called out obediently, placing the flowers in the vase nearby and setting the fruits on the table.

"Eleanor, you’re here."

Old Master Quinn’s eyes brightened upon seeing her, and he specifically arranged for a spot beside Nathaniel Quinn.

Eleanor Hollis felt somewhat uncomfortable sitting next to Nathaniel Quinn, and she wasn’t sure if it was her imagination.

It always felt like the two chairs were unusually close.

"Eleanor, I heard you were staying at Hugo’s villa last time. Have you moved out?"

"Yes, I’ve moved out. I’m living in an apartment now."

Eleanor couldn’t quite figure out Old Master Quinn’s intentions but answered obediently.

"Is it Hugo’s apartment?"

Old Master Quinn inquired tentatively, and upon seeing Eleanor nod, his smile faded slightly.

"Eleanor, you’ve spent so many years with the Quinton Family, you should know that Hugo is the son I value the most. He’s young, talented, and ambitious, and many in Serenford look up to him. I don’t want someone like him to have any blemishes. Do you understand?"

Listening to the Old Master’s words, Eleanor felt her recent affection turning cold inch by inch, and her gaze followed by dimming down.

"Eleanor, I know you’ve been spending time together recently, but think carefully. Are your identities really suitable for this? Not to mention what others will think of you both, even Marcus might not approve."

The Old Master’s gaze suddenly became sharp, no longer wanting to beat around the bush with her. He urgently needed her to keep her distance from Hugo before things reached an irreparable point.

Under his gaze, Eleanor felt her whole body stiffen. She had always thought Grandpa Quinn was a very kind old man, but the truth was not what she expected.

"I... Grandpa Quinn, I’m not with him."

She said this with a hint of guilt.

Old Master Quinn leaned back slowly and sighed, "Eleanor, you’re a good girl. I don’t want to pressure you, but I also don’t want to see my son ruined by you. Back when you married Nathaniel, I pitied you. Later, I knew you weren’t doing well in the Quinton Family but didn’t help save your marriage. Nathaniel was immature and needed to grow. You spent five years together, and I believe it wasn’t entirely without feelings."

Old Master continued to speak slowly, but Eleanor felt the temperature dropping, unsure if it was due to the sudden chill.

"Recently, his attitude in admitting mistakes has improved, and I see it. Nathaniel also said that if you’re willing to come back, he’s willing to give you all his property. A man willing to compromise to this extent shows he loves you, Eleanor. Wouldn’t you like to consider this carefully?"

Eleanor found it laughable, incredibly laughable. The Quinton Family knew well how she spent those five years, yet they were now persuading her to return.

Nathaniel Quinn, hearing the Old Master speak on his behalf, responded joyfully, "Eleanor, Grandpa is right. If you’re willing to come back, I’ll do anything."

Eleanor’s vision blurred, looking at these familiar faces, feeling as if her heart was sliced with a knife, even her respected Grandpa Quinn wanted to push her into the fire pit.

"Grandpa Quinn, you say Nathaniel loves me, yet last night he was lying beside another woman. If this is what he calls love, it’s quite cheap. I understand your desire to match me with Nathaniel is because you’re afraid I’ll entangle with your younger son. Rest assured, from now on I’ll stay far away from him."

But she knew her answer didn’t satisfy the Old Master.

Old Master Quinn knew what kind of person his youngest son was. Even if Eleanor distanced herself voluntarily, he would rush after her tirelessly.

Once he sets his eyes on something, he absolutely won’t let go.

"Eleanor, I need him to completely give up."

Eleanor tightened her grip. She understood Old Master Quinn’s intention, to make Hugo give up completely; she must choose to reconcile with Nathaniel.

Her face turned pale, feeling her body tremble violently.

"Eleanor, I’ll be good to you."

Nathaniel Quinn hugged her shoulders affectionately, his face full of satisfaction, "I mean it."

"Don’t touch me!!"

Eleanor flung his hand away, her icy, piercing gaze fixed on him, freezing Nathaniel’s boiling blood gradually.

She truly loathed him, even his touch was intolerable.

Nathaniel Quinn felt as if his heart broke with a large hole, with cold wind pouring in.

Eleanor slowly stood up, her face determined, "Old Master, I won’t reconcile with Nathaniel. On this matter, I won’t compromise."

With that said, she clutched her bag and left.

Old Master Quinn’s face grew darker. He had always believed Eleanor was a good girl and didn’t want to use despicable means unless absolutely necessary.

"Did you sleep beside another woman last night?"

He glanced at Nathaniel Quinn with disappointment.

Nathaniel Quinn lowered his head slowly, "I was drunk and mistook another woman for Eleanor."

Old Master felt a headache coming, rubbing his temples, irritated by his grandson’s inability to grow up—a desire to reconcile while entangled with other women—no wonder Eleanor rejected him.

"Sooner rather than later, cut off all ties with those women!!"

He reprimanded, eyes narrowing slightly, "I’ll figure something out between you and Eleanor."

A flash of delight appeared on Nathaniel Quinn’s face, excitement shaking his whole body.

"Grandpa, I understand. I’ll sever ties immediately."

Actually, his recent involvement was only with June Sullivan, because she resembled Eleanor so much, he couldn’t help but treat her like a substitute.

Leaving the hospital, Eleanor’s steps were unsteady. She assumed the Old Master summoned her to ease relations between him and Marcus.

She never expected that the person who gave her five million would treat her like this.

Her eyes turned red, suddenly feeling like a drifting weed in a creek, unable to control her fate.

If the Old Master became forceful, she would still end up entangled with Nathaniel for a lifetime.

Returning home, she wearily hung her bag on the nearby coat rack.

"What’s wrong, your face looks awful."

Hugo Quinn heard the door open, looked up, and noticed something was off. He hurried to check her forehead, but she wasn’t feverish.

Eleanor sat stiffly on the sofa, "Grandpa Quinn is hospitalized, you know? Why aren’t you going to see him?"