CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: RUNNING INTO

Hugo arranged everything so perfectly that Eleanor Hollis had nothing to say. She suddenly understood Grace Lynch’s scheming a little; such a man was indeed worth the effort.

"Thank you."

Marcus was being led by her hand, occasionally looking up at this person and then that, with a hint of delight in his innocent eyes.

"Miss Lynch."

"Miss Lynch."

The housekeeper and servants downstairs suddenly spoke respectfully.

Only then did Eleanor realize that Grace had returned. She frowned; why would Grace come at this time?

Grace had already entered the living room and immediately saw the three people standing together, her pupils contracting fiercely.

Even though her husband and child were standing not far away, she felt like an outsider; it was a terrible feeling.

"Hugo, you all are..."

She tried hard to suppress her emotions that were about to burst out, her palms clamping tightly into fists.

Having been with Hugo for so many years, she naturally knew that Hugo wouldn’t bring a woman back to the villa. Except for a few servants, the rest were all men; Hugo hated the proximity of women.

Even she was only allowed in because of Marcus.

So why Eleanor Hollis? Why was she allowed to be so close to Hugo?

"I asked Miss Hollis to help me treat Marcus’s illness."

Hugo said flatly, leading Marcus slowly down from the staircase.

Eleanor felt awkward whether she went down or stayed in her room, so she ended up following Hugo with a stiff face.

Grace’s face had turned pale by now. Compared to her, Eleanor Hollis seemed more like Marcus’s mother, and she could see a hint of joy in Marcus’s eyes.

Over the years, this child had always been indifferent to her, yet suddenly so attached to Eleanor.

"So that’s how it is..."

She clenched her teeth so hard they made a grinding sound, but she couldn’t lose her composure in front of Hugo.

She knew Hugo had been running around for years for Marcus’s illness and would seize any chance of hope tightly.

"Eleanor, it seems you’ve grown fast in these five years of marriage, even capable of treating children’s communication disorders."

She said slowly, sitting down on the sofa.

Eleanor also sat down, knowing that Grace’s words carried a hint of mockery.

"Grace, Mr. Quinn saw that Marcus was close to me and hoped I could help him speak. I’m just following his and the doctor’s instructions; I don’t understand anything else."

Grace’s chest heaved violently. She had always avoided letting Marcus meet Eleanor, afraid that she might discover something.

After all, blood relations are really mysterious things. What if Eleanor discovered the secret she wanted to keep; what would she do then? Everything she had in the Quinton Family would be ruined.

"Eleanor, I’m grateful you can help Marcus. After all, Marcus is my child, and I won’t waste your time for nothing. I’ll pay you a salary."

Grace said, clearly establishing her identity with this statement. She was the mistress of this house.

"Mr. Quinn has already paid me; I’m very satisfied."

Eleanor saw that Grace was still trying to maintain her composure, knowing she was starting to panic. She hated any women who appeared beside Hugo.

"That’s good."

Grace forced a smile.

The household chef soon brought out the dishes, and they all sat around the dining table.

Grace’s palms were covered in blood marks she’d pinched out herself; she really disliked the current scene.

"Marcus, have some fish."

She tried to remain calm, putting a piece of fish in Marcus’s bowl.

But Marcus remained unmoved, not touching the fish at all, instead quietly finishing the other dishes in his bowl.

Grace’s face cracked, feeling that tonight was unusually unlucky; this child really didn’t appreciate her kindness.

Over these years, she had used all means to try to win his favor, but he never appreciated it, even ignoring all her efforts.

Her hand holding the chopsticks was trembling; if Hugo wasn’t here, she would have surely slapped this child’s face hard to vent her emotions.

The atmosphere at the dining table was slightly awkward, even Eleanor felt it, her brows furrowing.

Although she came with a bit of malice, wanting to make Grace anxious too, she couldn’t actually bring herself to do something so mean.

Seeing the family of three dining together now, it wasn’t alright for her to interrupt further. She hurriedly ate a few bites and planned to go upstairs.

Marcus saw her get up and hastily grabbed her sleeve, his big eyes staring at her like that.

Eleanor felt even more awkward now, wondering what’s up with this child, ignoring his mom’s offerings, but so reliant on her, an outsider.

"Marcus, I’m full; I’m planning to go upstairs to sleep."

She explained gently, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

Only then did Marcus slowly release his hand. He had thought she was leaving just now, so he had hurriedly grabbed her sleeve.

Grace, seeing this, felt her heart tremble; this child was actually so good to Eleanor! She was almost going crazy with jealousy.

And Eleanor could even stay in the villa, while she’d known Hugo for so many years and never stayed overnight in the villa. Once the time came, Hugo would have someone send her back.

She gritted her teeth and stared at Eleanor’s back with venomous eyes, finally taking a deep breath to stay calm.

"Hugo, having Eleanor stay here is a bit..."

She started slowly, stopping halfway, and then sighed, "You also know she divorced Nathaniel. Everyone in the Quinton Family knows no women stay in your villa; if they see Eleanor staying here, it’s not a good influence."

She wanted to drive Eleanor away; the sight of her with Marcus was just too piercing.

"I’m just here to treat Marcus, Grace. If you could get Marcus to speak, I’d let you stay here, too."

His meaning was clear: anyone who could get Marcus to speak would be given special treatment, whether it was Eleanor or anyone else.

Moreover, the old man cherished Marcus, his grandson; once he knew Eleanor could get Marcus to speak, he’d probably indulge her even more.

Grace bit her teeth; Marcus had rarely spoken over the years. Even Hugo couldn’t get him to speak; how had Eleanor managed it?

Could the blood relationship between mother and child be so magical?

A hint of malice flashed in her eyes; she absolutely couldn’t let Eleanor continue interacting with Marcus, or else something would surely happen later.

After dinner, Marcus went upstairs.

Grace sat in the living room watching TV; tonight she also wanted to stay here. She wasn’t comfortable letting her husband and another woman share a space.

Even though she knew Hugo was a man of principles, that person was Eleanor Hollis; she had to be wary.

"Hugo, could I stay here tonight?"

She said softly, her hands had already touched Hugo’s chest.

Hugo frowned, removed her hand, and then looked to the driver on the side. "Take her back."