CHAPTER 3: CHAPTER 3: YOU COULDN’T HAVE FALLEN FOR ME, COULD YOU?

The waiter happened to bring up the dessert and almost knocked over the plate when he heard this, looking at Eleanor Winslow in shock.

Eleanor Winslow glanced at her. She was a girl with a quite adorable appearance, seemingly a student working part-time.

Did she seem familiar?

But before Eleanor could remember who this person was, she had already quickly put down the dessert and left.

Mia Winslow’s expression cracked for a moment, and her fingers gripping the coffee cup turned pale from the force.

She returned to the topic, saying meaningfully, "Eleanor, didn’t you want to take some of your mother’s belongings before? How can dad trust you with your mother’s things when you’re so disobedient?"

The suffocation and anger caused the joy on Eleanor’s face to vanish entirely as her gaze darkened.

Her mother’s suicide was sudden, and Eleanor had always wanted to find useful clues from her mother’s belongings, but they had always been withheld by her father.

Elsewhere.

The female waiter entered the lounge and immediately sent a WeChat message to her cousin:

[Bro, cash app me fifty grand, and I’ll unlock Eleanor Winslow’s bed performance review terms for you! [shy.jpg]]

-

Adrian Grant returned home from a business trip.

The first thing he noticed was the absence of a rackful of women’s shoes.

His assistant Charles Rhodes followed behind him, reporting on work, when he suddenly saw his boss raise a hand to signal him to be quiet.

Adrian Grant quickly surveyed the area and found that all of Eleanor Winslow’s personal items were gone.

She had actually left!

Adrian Grant clenched his molars, and a wave of anger rose within him.

"Where is Eleanor?" Adrian Grant asked Charles Rhodes.

It’s not easy to find someone in Aethelgard, but soon someone came looking—

"President Grant, Madame is at the hospital."

Charles Rhodes didn’t finish his words before Adrian Grant was on his feet, ready to leave: "Did something happen to her?"

Charles hastily replied, "No, Madame went to the hospital to find President Preston, attempting to privately settle matters concerning Young Master Winslow and Young Master Preston."

-

Hospital.

"President Preston, I deeply apologize for the matter involving Young Master Preston, but even if Jude ends up in prison for a few years, it can’t change the tragedy that has occurred. I heard your grandson wants to attend Harrow School in the U.K.; one of my professors from when I studied in the U.K. holds a high position in the educational sector. I can request a recommendation letter from him for your grandson."

Eleanor Winslow offered an apology followed by a tempting bribe.

"Mrs. Grant, the terms you’re offering are very tempting, but—" President Preston spread his hands helplessly, "our family relies on President Grant for a living. Perhaps you should discuss this with him first?"

President Preston’s implication was clear: he had to listen to Adrian Grant.

And Adrian Grant didn’t agree to a private settlement!

Eleanor Winslow sped back to the Azurean Bay villa.

Adrian Grant apparently had just returned from a business trip; his tie was tossed aside, the buttons of his shirt collar undone, revealing a sexy neck and chest, as he leaned against the sofa pretending to nap.

"Adrian Grant, what do you mean?" Eleanor Winslow walked in aggressively.

Hearing her voice, Adrian Grant opened his eyes, and there she stood in front of him.

The way Eleanor glared when she was angry reminded Adrian Grant of an agitated kitten, without any threat.

Since coming home to find she had left without permission, the resentment in Adrian Grant’s heart had been building up. Now seeing her at the door, he finally felt a little relieved.

With his legs crossed, he appeared relaxed and wanton, "Zia Winslow, you came to provoke me first. You used me and then threw me away. Did you think I was a toy?"

Zia is Eleanor’s nickname.

Eleanor rolled her eyes and turned her head, muttering softly, "A toy would be more obedient than you."

A toy wouldn’t demand incessantly like him!

Adrian Grant gripped her chin, turning her back to face him, asking knowingly, "What are you muttering?"

Eleanor, unprepared, fell onto him, her hands frantically pushing against his chest.

Beneath her fingertips were solid muscles and a strong heartbeat, his scent surrounding her.

Eleanor quickly stood up, stepping back a few feet, attempting to reason with him:

"Adrian Grant, Jude Winslow is Mia Winslow’s biological brother. I’m stressing myself out for Mia’s sake. Even if you want to make things difficult for me, this isn’t the right time, is it?"

"You’re overthinking it."

His attitude clearly said: Do I need to choose a time to make things difficult for you?

"So what are you doing now?" Eleanor contemplated seriously, "Are you angry because I mentioned divorce?"

Because he’s unhappy, he’s causing mischief!

Adrian Grant said nothing, his gaze cold and heavy.

Eleanor raised her delicate face, smiling sweetly as she deliberately asked, "Adrian Grant, could it be that after sleeping with me a few times, you’ve developed feelings for me?"

"Yes."

Adrian Grant answered lightly.

Eleanor’s smile froze on her face, staring at him in shock, her heartbeat skipping a beat.

Adrian Grant clasped Eleanor’s slim waist, exerting a bit of force, and she was trapped in his embrace: "I like you—for your body."

He commented, "So far, I’m quite satisfied."

The implication was that she was nothing but a tool for his desires, objectified, and condescending.

Just like the past year, he wanted her whenever he wanted, with an aggressive demeanor, from the positions to the rhythm, filled with invasion.

Eleanor shoved him away, her face turning cold, "Adrian Grant, you bastard!"

Adrian Grant didn’t care much about Eleanor’s curse.

"Zia Winslow, only Mrs. Grant is qualified to talk with the Preston Family. The choice is yours in this matter."

-

Bar, amidst the dazzling lights.

The band on stage was singing their hearts out.

Eleanor had to shout to convey her anger to her best friend:

"Is he sick? Do you think he’s sick? I’m leaving without a penny from him. You can’t find another sensible almost-ex-wife like me in this circle. What more does he want?"

"Sleeping with him on impulse was my mistake. I admit it. How many times have I admitted it? Can he say he didn’t enjoy it? Treating me coldly every day, he’s crazy!"

"Purposely giving me a hard time, is he that bored? Crazy!"

"All you can say is crazy," Blake Lockwood remarked, feeling sorry for her friend’s good upbringing, "Babe can you learn some more lethal curse words?"

Eleanor, fuming, downed another glass of whiskey, boiling with rage and dizzy-headed.

"Eleanor, have you ever considered that maybe Adrian Grant doesn’t want a divorce?" Blake Lockwood suddenly said.

Eleanor had a mouthful of liquor stuck in her throat, her eyes widening in shock.

Two seconds later, she coughed violently.

After calming down, Eleanor said with lingering fear, "Then he really is sick! Adrian Grant has someone else in his heart; he was forced to marry me. You and I both know that."

Three years ago, Eleanor got drunk and spent a night with Adrian Grant, which resulted in the Grant Family catching them on the spot. To save face, the Grant Family forced Adrian to marry her.

The day after their wedding, Adrian Grant went to the USA to expand his territory. A year later, Eleanor went to the U.K. as an exchange student, and only then did Adrian return from the USA. The actual time they spent together was not even a year.

This clearly shows how much Adrian doesn’t want her!

Blake Lockwood, seeing Eleanor this way, felt terrible and inwardly cursed Adrian Grant thousands of times.

"Eleanor, three years ago, who was it that spread the news of you and Adrian Grant rolling in bed? Have you found out yet?"