CHAPTER 117: CHAPTER 117: HER FATHER

"He confessed to me in the office today, and he sounded very sincere. I’m afraid that if this continues, I won’t be able to resist agreeing to him. But there are too many things between us, and the old man of the Quinton Family is just one of them, not to mention the social pressures we’ll face in the future."

Samantha Sullivan slowly put down her chopsticks and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Are you afraid of the pressure of being with him?"

Having known Eleanor Hollis for so many years, she naturally knew that this woman was a coward at heart. She was afraid of seeing a flower wither, so she simply decided not to like it, thereby avoiding heartbreak.

Eleanor’s gaze became firm, "I’m not afraid."

From the moment she realized she had feelings for Hugo Quinn, she knew she wasn’t afraid of those things.

"So you’re worried that Hugo will be afraid of those things, and eventually give up on you. You’re scared that by that time you’ll be in too deep, while Hugo will let go lightly. Let me tell you, Eleanor, you haven’t tried being with him. How do you know he’ll give up on you? I actually think Hugo isn’t that kind of person."

Eleanor looked up at her, puzzled.

"You haven’t been with him, so how do you know he isn’t that kind of person?"

Samantha rolled her eyes at her; indeed, those involved see it least clearly.

"Just from observing his attitude toward Grace Lynch. Grace and Nathaniel Quinn maintained their relationship for so many years, and I don’t believe President Quinn knew nothing about it. It’s likely that since Marcus is Grace’s child, he didn’t make it ugly. And his divorce from Grace, I bet, wasn’t because of her affair but because Grace crossed his bottom line. Think about it—a man who can endure a cheating woman for five years out of responsibility—ugh, I’m almost moved."

Eleanor felt a pang in her heart. She liked Marcus a lot, but in the end, Marcus was born to Grace.

Would Hugo think of Grace every time he saw Marcus?

"Maybe."

She didn’t want to say any more. She picked up her chopsticks and ate a few bites, tastelessly.

Samantha took out a cigarette, lit it, and slowly began to smoke.

"You’re too timid in matters of the heart, not free enough. If I were you, and such an excellent man was in front of me, I’d seize the moment no matter what his intentions were—it’s not like there’s any loss in it."

Eleanor had always known that Samantha treated relationships like a game, often being called a ’heartbreaker.’

Yet she never crossed moral boundaries. At most, she’d be with a man in the morning and break up in the afternoon.

Her exes could probably form a platoon.

"You’ve been living with President Quinn for so long, haven’t you two... you know?"

Samantha leaned over, full of gossip, as if she sensed something subtle.

Eleanor blushed, tightening her hands on her lap.

"No... no, just kissing at most."

"Tsk, don’t say you know me anymore."

Samantha found it dull and, seeing that they had almost finished eating, immediately called a waiter to settle the bill.

"I’m leaving. I’m going to hang out at the bar tonight. You go home and stew in your own thoughts."

After Samantha left, Eleanor sat there for a long time. When she finally got up, her legs were a little numb.

She didn’t want to return to her empty apartment; there was no one there to talk to her either.

She decided to go shopping because it had been a long time since she bought herself new clothes.

"Eleanor, it’s really you."

A gentle voice came, and Eleanor halted. She intended to keep walking without expression.

"Now, when you run into your mother, you don’t plan to say hello? Eleanor, you’re making me very disappointed."

Rachel Lynch walked over, looking hurt, and stopped in front of her.

"Are you angry because I asked you to connect Anna with Hugo last time? Eleanor, I was doing it for your good. You’re not suitable for Hugo."

Rachel was still hoping to get Anna and Hugo together.

Eleanor gave her a mocking look. For some people, just saying a word was disgusting.

"Ms. Lynch, is there anything else? If not, I’ll be leaving first."

Rachel’s face darkened instantly, and she reached out, trying to slap Eleanor. But Eleanor quickly grabbed her hand and pushed her away hard.

"What right do you have to hit me? You really think I’m still your daughter, Rachel Lynch. I’ve said it before; I have nothing to do with you. Stop pretending in front of me, it’s quite despicable."

After all, she was the one who had abandoned her. She had ignored her all these years.

Rachel nearly fell but managed to steady herself just in time.

"Eleanor Hollis, I’m your mother. Are you really this ungrateful?"

"Mother? You think you deserve that title? Rachel Lynch, don’t push me to say something worse. Your daughter is only Anna Hollis."

With that, she turned to leave, but Rachel’s words made her pause.

"Your grandfather says he misses you and wants you to come back for a meal. Eleanor Hollis, no matter how much you hate your identity, you can’t deny that your last name is Hollis."

Eleanor’s fists slowly clenched; she indeed loathed her identity and her last name.

"If I could, I’d rather not be a Hollis. Your whole family is quite a joke to me."

"Eleanor, how can you speak to your mother like that?"

A man’s voice sounded, and Eleanor’s eyes reddened upon hearing it.

She turned her head and, as expected, saw a man in a suit standing not far away.

It was her father in name only, Nicholas Hollis.

She had forgotten when she last heard his voice.

Probably no memory at all.

"Rachel, this child has become more unruly lately. Sending her to the countryside back then was indeed the right decision."

Rachel sighed slowly, as if expressing her disappointment in Eleanor.

Nicholas’s eyes were full of complexity. He felt he owed this daughter of his.

It’s just that back then, a fortune teller had said that this daughter’s fate clashed with her mother’s, and during that time, Rachel’s health was indeed getting worse.

He had no choice but to send the child away.

However, over the years, he had anonymously sent money to the countryside, enough to raise Eleanor. After all, she was his daughter, and he didn’t want to become enemies.

"Stella, don’t say that. The child has every reason to blame us. As parents, we sent her to the countryside for so many years without a word or visit. Who wouldn’t have hard feelings? Please try to understand her more and stop saying such things."

A glint of malice flashed in Rachel’s eyes. This man was good in every aspect, except he was too reasonable.

When Eleanor heard him speaking up for her, her eyes reddened instantly.

Her grandmother had said that her father was a kind man, a gentle man.

But she had always wondered, why would such a gentle man ignore her for so many years, not caring whether she lived or died?

Or was it that she was just such a terrible daughter...