CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: GRACE WAS KIDNAPPED

Eleanor Hollis’ gaze was sharp; she had her limits, and this person had precisely stepped over them.

Grace Lynch’s chest heaved dramatically; she had never expected Eleanor Hollis to know so much, always thinking of her as nothing more than a clueless rabbit.

Upon reflection, it wasn’t that she didn’t understand; she simply chose not to bother.

"After all, they are my uncle and aunt. I don’t want them suffering in prison. I’m not as heartless as you."

Grace Lynch said through pursed lips, feeling on the verge of collapse during this conversation with Eleanor Hollis, unable to outargue her.

"Grace, we’ve known each other for so many years. Would I not know what kind of person you are? Your grandmother has been sick for many years, and you haven’t visited once. If it’s heartlessness, who can compare to you? Don’t pretend in front of me; there’s no one else here. I’m not buying it."

Grace Lynch looked pitiful now, her eyes red, her body frail. For those unaware, it might appear that Eleanor Hollis was bullying her.

"When do you plan to leave Serenford?"

Grace Lynch didn’t want to say anything more, wanting only to send this woman away, feeling a strong premonition that something would happen if she stayed.

"I said before, I’ll leave with Grandma once her health improves."

Eleanor Hollis’ voice remained calm, in stark contrast to Grace Lynch’s collapse.

"Don’t regret it, Eleanor Hollis. You have nothing now. You can’t fight me!"

Grace Lynch turned and left in her high heels, her stance appearing as if she wished to drill a hole in the floor with them.

After Grace Lynch left, Eleanor Hollis leaned against the wall, hoping the coldness would alleviate some of her inner turmoil.

Grace Lynch, barely waiting a moment, angrily got into her car. Eleanor Hollis had to leave.

Or she wouldn’t need to leave; disappearing would be fine.

Grace Lynch’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, lips curling into a cruel smile. She was forced into this.

The surgery continued until three in the morning, and Eleanor Hollis saw the doctors pushing Grandma out.

"Very successful, Miss Hollis. You needn’t worry. The elder’s desire to live is strong, likely due to her inability to let go of you."

Eleanor Hollis’ eyes reddened immediately, nodding with tears.

"Get through these three days, and it’s completely safe. Miss Hollis, you should rest; if the elder wakes, she wouldn’t want to see you like this."

Several doctors were sent by Hugo Quinn, instructed beforehand to take good care of the elder and Eleanor Hollis, as they were important to the chairman.

"Thank you, thank you."

Those were the only words Eleanor Hollis managed to say, feeling a sudden blackout as she rose, directly fainting.

"Miss Hollis! Miss Hollis!"

The doctors scrambled to get her to a ward, discovering she was overwhelmed with worry.

Now, relieved of her mental burden, her body couldn’t withstand it.

Hugo Quinn received the call at four in the morning, hearing that Eleanor Hollis had fainted.

He glanced at the peacefully sleeping child beside him, instructing the doctors to care for her well.

He couldn’t go, fearing Marcus would suddenly awaken and panic if he couldn’t find anyone.

"M...mama."

Marcus whimpered, a sweet smile on his lips.

Hugo Quinn reached out to ruffle his hair, his own lips curving.

Since Eleanor Hollis had been brought to the villa, Marcus’ condition improved significantly, prompting a plan to keep her longer.

When Eleanor Hollis awoke, it was already noon, with lunch placed beside her bed and Samantha Sullivan watching over her.

"You’re finally awake; you scared me to death!"

Quickly, Samantha Sullivan opened the lunchbox, her face full of complaints.

"Samantha, why are you here?"

Eleanor Hollis rubbed her aching forehead, having had troubled sleep these past days, constantly worrying about Grandma. She hadn’t expected her body to give out first.

"It was that young Quinn from the Quinton Family. I don’t know how he found out I was your friend, but he sent people to drag me here."

Samantha Sullivan said, somewhat annoyed, placing the spoon in Eleanor Hollis’ hand.

"Hurry and eat. I thought you’d live well after moving out of my place, but you ended up collapsing."

Eleanor Hollis had little appetite, eating only a bit before feeling full.

Listening to Samantha Sullivan’s words, she admired Hugo Quinn’s thoughtfulness.

If Hugo Quinn had come here himself, who knows what rumors might emerge again. The last time Stella Lynch caused a scene at the hospital, claiming things about her and Hugo Quinn, with many doctors present.

Having Samantha Sullivan come was undoubtedly the best choice.

"I must say, the Quinton Family truly never gives up. Eleanor, what are your plans? Will you really leave Serenford?"

Serenford, after all, was where she’d lived for so long, still young, unable to truly hide away in the countryside—how maddening.

"I don’t know; I’ll take it one step at a time."

Eleanor Hollis’ lips twisted as she gazed into the scenery outside.

Samantha Sullivan spoke no more, tidied up the dishes, and picked up her bag.

"I’ll come see you tonight."

"Go on, I’m alright."

Eleanor Hollis said, taking the phone by her pillow to check, finding a missed call from Nathaniel Quinn.

Since their divorce, she’d barely contacted this man. Why would he suddenly call?

Recalling Nathaniel Quinn’s heartlessness on that night, Eleanor Hollis’ eyes were filled with mockery, directly blacklisting his number.

She, Eleanor Hollis, wasn’t the sort to degrade herself; Nathaniel Quinn had reached that depth of shamelessness, so why should she show mercy?

Shortly after, a new number called.

Eleanor Hollis wanted to see what this man wanted; she pressed the answer button.

"Eleanor Hollis! How dare you blacklist my number?!"

The first words were rude enough; even through the screen, Eleanor Hollis could imagine his expression.

"If you don’t get to the point, I’ll hang up."

Nathaniel Quinn, dismayed, realized how much this woman had changed.

Once completely compliant, yet so quickly after divorce, she had turned so cold.

"Grace has been kidnapped."

Nathaniel Quinn’s voice sank, clutching the phone tightly.

"Oh."

Eleanor Hollis said flatly, curious about his actual point.

"Eleanor Hollis, they thought Grace was my wife, so they captured her. I clashed during a real estate development, and with Grace in their hands, she’ll be in real danger."

Nathaniel Quinn’s voice was anxious, filled with concern for Grace Lynch’s safety.

"And then?"

Eleanor Hollis’ voice dripped with mockery.