CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 101: SUICIDE

Eleanor faced away from the direction of the bathroom, where the sound of running water indicated Adrian Grant was showering.

"Click——"

The bathroom door opened.

Eleanor closed her eyes.

After a few seconds, the mattress behind her sank down, and a warm, moist breath spread across the covers.

Eleanor’s body stiffened slightly.

She was almost always alert to her surroundings, worried Adrian would suddenly do something.

But after more than ten seconds, the man made no movement.

Eleanor found it somewhat ridiculous, mocking herself for being influenced by Adrian tonight and having such an unrealistic concern!

She couldn’t figure out what Adrian wanted. If it was just to chat under the covers, what difference did it make if she slept in the guest room or the master bedroom with him?

"Can’t sleep?" the man’s voice suddenly came from behind.

Eleanor’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but she didn’t open her eyes, pretending not to have heard him.

Adrian lay on his side, facing Eleanor.

Outside the window, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. Through the serene moonlight, he could vaguely see the outline of Eleanor’s ears, small and adorable.

Except her attitude of refusing to communicate wasn’t very cute.

After an unknown period, the woman’s breathing beside him gradually lengthened.

Adrian unhesitatingly reached out, clasping her waist, pulling her into his arms.

In that moment, his previously empty heart was completely filled.

-

The next morning.

When Eleanor opened her eyes, she saw a bare chest.

Eleanor didn’t know why this was happening; she was nestled in the man’s arms. Her gaze moved upward, and sure enough, she saw Adrian’s familiar handsome face, with a hint of fresh stubble on his chin.

Startled, she tried to maintain her composure and wanted to pull away.

But as soon as she moved her hand, the man clasped her forearm, pulling it aside.

Adrian, not fully awake, spoke in a voice like aged mellow wine, deep and slightly hoarse: "Touch it after it’s healed."

Touch?

Touch what?

It took Eleanor a moment to realize—touch his abs!

She wondered how she had developed such a bad habit of liking to touch a man’s abs to sleep!

Adrian opened his eyes, gazing at the woman in his arms.

Eleanor was caught off guard and met his gaze.

The atmosphere in the air was unclear if it was awkward or tense. Eleanor felt very uncomfortable, and when she shifted, she even felt something hard!

Eleanor looked at him in disbelief: "Adrian Grant!"

Adrian’s expression was incredibly calm: "A physiological reaction."

It was something he couldn’t control.

Eleanor turned to get up, opening the bedroom door with a cold face.

"Not going to wash up?" Adrian propped himself up, looking amused, seeming to be in a good mood.

Eleanor ignored him, went straight out, and walked to the neighboring guest room.

The wound on her finger wasn’t deep and had already scabbed over. After two dressing changes, only her wrist and palm were bandaged, allowing her to slowly use her fingers to wash up.

"Not brushing your teeth?"

Footsteps approached from behind as Adrian walked in with an electric toothbrush already loaded with toothpaste.

The guest room’s bathroom wasn’t as large as the master bedroom’s, making it feel cramped when he walked in.

Eleanor reached out to take it, but he dodged.

"Your hand isn’t convenient," Adrian said.

Clearly, he intended to help.

Eleanor smiled insincerely: "I can go without brushing my teeth today."

They locked eyes for two seconds in a standoff before Adrian sighed, helplessly handing her the toothbrush.

Despite only being able to use her fingers and having scabs, Eleanor’s movements were slow but competent.

"Have you been brushing your teeth yourself the past few days?"

Eleanor glanced at Adrian through the mirror, leaning against the doorframe, almost reaching the top with his height.

After brushing her teeth, Eleanor finally responded: "Blake helped me before."

Adrian was amused, "Zia, are you afraid people will think Blake Lockwood didn’t take good care of you?"

If he had said something else, she might have ignored it, having read it without responding. But when it came to Blake Lockwood, her attitude was entirely different, more active and engaged.

Eleanor looked at him strangely.

Wasn’t it right for her to defend Blake?

The fragrance of breakfast filled the living room.

Adrian disliked having extra people at home, so the servants were arranged to stay at an apartment complex two kilometers away, coming at set times to cook and clean.

The dining table was already set with breakfast, a Chinese style that Eleanor liked.

Adrian served Eleanor a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, giving her a spoon and fork.

Eleanor looked at Adrian with a curious gaze, as if discovering something peculiar.

He was very patient, letting her look as much as she wanted.

"Adrian, do you remember what you said last night?" Eleanor couldn’t resist asking.

He handed her a prawn dumpling and retorted: "Do you think I’ve developed early dementia?"

Otherwise, why would she doubt he remembered what he said the night before?

To Eleanor, this sharp-tongued Adrian Grant was the Young Master Grant she was familiar with, so she asked again: "Can you handle the divorce paperwork today?"

Now she could move her fingers and could barely sign her name and put a fingerprint.

Adrian paused in his actions of picking up food, seriously regarding Eleanor.

Eleanor suspected he thought she had developed early dementia.

"Eleanor, do you remember what I said last night?" Adrian returned her question almost verbatim.

He remembered clearly and had no intention of changing his mind.

Eleanor’s expression shifted slightly, losing her appetite for breakfast: "Do you really not want a divorce?"

Adrian’s thin lips pressed together, not even wanting to answer.

"Grandpa and Grandma already know about this and have agreed," Eleanor took a deep breath, "Plus, Aunt Selene doesn’t like me and doesn’t want me to marry you. Adrian, why insist on this? There are many women born into this circle who are trained and ready to be a good wealthy wife. They can play the role of Mrs. Grant better than I—"

"Bang!"

Before Eleanor could finish, the man clattered his chopsticks down, making a crisp sound.

From Adrian’s eyes, Eleanor saw intense and suppressed anger.

She couldn’t understand; he didn’t love her, and yet she was always considering his feelings. What did she say that upset him so?

The atmosphere at the dining table was about to explode.

Just then, the doorbell rang!

Adrian Grant stood up directly to open the door.

"Son-in-law, I heard people say they saw Eleanor with you last night, so I thought I’d come and check on her today."

Eleanor Winslow heard a familiar male voice, put down the spoon, and walked over to see that it was indeed Eugene Winslow.

Eugene Winslow was carrying several boxes of supplements. While he claimed he was there to see Eleanor, his attitude towards Adrian Grant was particularly warm.

Eleanor had long seen through Eugene Winslow.

Was he really there to see her?

Obviously, he was just using the excuse of seeing her to build a relationship with Adrian Grant. Otherwise, why hadn’t he tried to see her once during the three months she was living outside?

However, the situation now was indeed different from before.

The video from Mia Winslow’s birthday party continued to have an impact. With the video serving as solid evidence, no matter how Mia tried to explain or twist the facts, whatever she said in the future would be a thorn in people’s hearts.

Eugene Winslow now felt guilty towards her and was eager to mend the relationship.

"Eleanor, you haven’t been home for so long. How about coming home for dinner today? I’ll ask Auntie to cook all your favorite dishes." Eugene Winslow appeared very much like a loving father.

Eleanor felt it was ironic but didn’t show it and deliberately said, "If I go back, I’m afraid Auntie Vance and sister wouldn’t be happy."

Adrian Grant was sipping a cup of black coffee on the side. Hearing this, he looked up at Eleanor.

"Eleanor, the villa we live in is yours and mine, that’s your home, why bother about them!"

Eugene Winslow was recently very displeased with Yvonne Vance and Mia Winslow, the mother-daughter pair who had embarrassed him so much that even outside, rivals laughed at him overtly and covertly!

"If only mom were here, I wouldn’t be bullied..." Eleanor said pitifully, then casually asked, "Dad, why did mom commit suicide back then?"

Eugene Winslow, who was still pretending to be a gentle father, suddenly froze, glanced at Adrian Grant beside him, and forcibly suppressed his anger.

"Eleanor, your mom’s matters are years past, from now on, never bring it up again!"

This attitude of Eugene Winslow made Eleanor increasingly suspect that there was something fishy about her mother’s suicide.

She needed to find a way to get information out of Eugene Winslow’s mouth.

But obviously, today wasn’t the day; she needed to wait for a moment when Eugene Winslow would be off guard!

Just then, a Bentley stopped at the porch.

Adrian Grant’s driver came over, looking confused: "President Grant, are you planning to go out? Aren’t you going to the company today?"

"Yes." Adrian Grant replied.

Only then did Eleanor realize that today was a workday, and Adrian Grant needed to go to work.

Her eyes brightened, but before she could start feeling happy, Adrian said to the driver, "Ask Charles Rhodes to prepare some snacks in the president’s office, madam is coming with me today."

Eleanor doubted her ears, asking, "Who?"

Adrian firmly replied to Eleanor: "You."

Adrian Grant turned to get Eleanor a coat, then whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, as if murmuring to a lover: "Zia, you’ve always been naughty, you might just run away."

She still had the ’record’ of running away herself!

"Adrian Grant, I’m not your possession, I have personal freedom!"

Not to mention going to the company with him, Eleanor didn’t even want to step out with him!

"Eleanor! What nonsense are you saying?" Eugene Winslow immediately interjected, trying to please Adrian Grant, "You haven’t been going to school or work these days, you should naturally spend more time with your husband! Look at how considerate Adrian is, even remembering to get you a coat!"

"I have an appointment today," Eleanor made an excuse.

"What appointment is more important than accompanying your husband? Eleanor, listen!" Eugene Winslow was never hesitant to sacrifice his daughter when faced with a choice between interests and her.

Eleanor didn’t want to go along with Adrian Grant, but she couldn’t afford to fall out with Eugene Winslow right now. She needed a good impression and status with Eugene to conveniently investigate the truth about her mother’s death!

...

The car was spacious inside.

But the man’s gaze was still intensely present.

Eleanor turned her head, impatiently asking Adrian Grant, who still had his eyes on her, "What are you looking at?"

"You want something from your dad?" Adrian, being smart since childhood, naturally noticed the subtle relationship between Eleanor and Eugene Winslow.

If it weren’t for Eugene Winslow’s words, Eleanor wouldn’t have so obediently followed him to the company today.

Eleanor turned back to look out of the window, nearly wanting to engrave "None of your business" on the back of her head.

Adrian recalled Eleanor’s demeanor when dealing with Eugene earlier, containing hidden barbs, and a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

The Bentley stopped at the Grant Group building’s parking lot.

As soon as Eleanor got out of the car, she planned to leave by herself.

Adrian didn’t stop her, just reminded, "It’s rush hour now."

Eleanor was somewhat puzzled by his cryptic statement but knew Adrian wasn’t one to waste words.

After pondering for two seconds, she immediately realized: This was Adrian Grant’s exclusive VIP parking zone; if she walked out from here, other colleagues would certainly see her coming out of the president’s exclusive parking area. Given the frequency of her appearances here due to the Mayfield Tech project team, someone might recognize her.

But if recognized, she could just deny it, claiming they had mistaken her identity!

Just as Eleanor continued walking forward, Adrian spoke again: "Trevor Hawthorne has a lunch appointment with me."

Eleanor immediately stopped in her tracks, turning to ask, "Will Blake Lockwood be there?"

Adrian, like dangling an apple in front of a mule, replied, "You’ll know at noon."

Eleanor remembered last night’s events; Trevor Hawthorne had gone to find Blake Lockwood, she wondered how the two had talked.

Eleanor called Blake Lockwood, initially intending to leave now if he wasn’t coming for lunch. But unexpectedly, she called twice, and no one answered, making her anxious.

A minute later.

Eleanor followed Adrian Grant into the VIP elevator, planning to wait there until noon before leaving.

Adrian had mentioned Trevor Hawthorne just to make Eleanor stay, knowing how important Blake Lockwood was to her.

He teased, "What if Blake doesn’t come at noon?"

Eleanor half-jokingly replied, "Then I’ll spill soup over Trevor’s face, that jerk."

Adrian: "..."

Charles Rhodes was visibly happy to see Eleanor arrive: "Good morning, Madam."

If the boss and Madam were on good terms, life would be much easier for those working like beasts!

Eleanor expressionlessly retorted, "Do I look like I’m in a good mood?"

Charles: "..."

It seemed like better days weren’t arriving soon after all.

Adrian Grant was very busy today; he’d been in the office for not even two minutes before heading to the conference room for a meeting.

Eleanor, with her hands not free, simply curled up on the sofa, using an iPad to watch horror movies to pass the time.

As she was engrossed, suddenly, the door of the president’s office was opened from outside!

Eleanor was startled, trembling all over, and anger surged up!

Clearly, she could have watched a movie peacefully at home without disturbance, yet she was forced to come here and got interrupted!

"Adrian Grant, you—"

Eleanor was about to vent her anger when she turned her head, and her words abruptly halted.

She also froze in place.

Adrian Grant walked at the forefront, followed by two men in their thirties or forties, one of whom was a familiar legal director.

"Lawyer Winslow, you... why are you here?" The legal director couldn’t help but ask.

Upon seeing Eleanor, they noticed on the coffee table before her was a cup of milk tea, two small cakes, a box of puffs, and a plate of nuts, even some bags of chips!

This is...

The legal director and the marketing director exchanged glances, mutually feeling an urge to pretend to be blind and leave the spot at once.