Eleanor had arranged for those bodyguards earlier. One Olivia wasn't enough for today—if you slap someone, you have to slap twice. Besides, she still had to show her loyalty to Charles.
Eleanor smiled and held onto Mr. Carter's arm. "Yes, we must investigate thoroughly. I don't believe Aunt Olivia would be so careless. Even if she wanted to take drugs, she wouldn't do it at Grandpa's house."
While her words appeared to be defending Olivia, they subtly confirmed that she had indeed taken drugs.
Emily was so furious she nearly fainted.
Taking the opportunity, Cathy chimed in, "Inspectors, please check everyone carefully! Don't overlook anything! Otherwise, my dad won't be happy!"
The inspectors naturally agreed. At this point, everyone had to cooperate.
Thomas, still hiding in the corner, was sweating profusely. He desperately wanted to find a place to dispose of the remaining powder in his pocket, but he had no chance.
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
"Oh, Uncle Thomas, why are you here too?"
Thomas stiffened.
Eleanor stood in front of him, holding Cathy in her arms.
Many guests at the scene recognized Thomas, thanks to the rumors Eleanor had spread about him.
Everyone was shocked.
"Thomas? What is he doing here?"
Thomas had once worked for the Carter family. After his affair with Emily was exposed, Mr. Carter had him fired immediately.
Now, his face turned deathly pale, and sweat soaked through his shirt.
He forced a smile. "Eleanor, didn't you invite me to celebrate Mr. Carter's birthday?"
Eleanor blinked her big eyes, looking confused and innocent.
"Uncle Thomas, you're imagining things. Everyone knows Great-Grandfather hates you. How could my mother possibly invite you to the birthday banquet?"
As she spoke, her chubby little hand suddenly pointed at Thomas's pocket.
"Uncle, what's that?"
A small, transparent plastic bag peeked out from Thomas's trouser pocket.
Panicking, he tried to shove it deeper inside, but his face turned even paler.
"No… it's nothing."
Grinning mischievously, Cathy clapped her hands. "Ah, I see! Since you're here for my great-grandfather's birthday, you must have brought him a gift, right? Let me see!"
Before Thomas could react, Cathy lunged forward and yanked the item from his pocket.
"No!"
Thomas reflexively tried to snatch it back, but the plastic bag burst open, spilling white powder onto the floor.
Gasps filled the room.
"This… this is drugs!"
The entire banquet hall fell into stunned silence.
Thomas's face turned ghostly pale, while Eleanor's expression shifted to one of horror. She staggered back, covering her mouth in disbelief.
After a long pause, she spoke in a trembling voice.
"Thomas… it was you? You framed Aunt Olivia with this filth?"
Thomas frantically waved his hands. "No! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!"
"You're lying! Then tell me—why are you even here today? Who invited you?"
"I trusted you so much, and Aunt Olivia was always kind to you… yet you would betray her like this?"
"Inspector, please enforce the law impartially! Our Brooks and Carter families cannot tolerate this disgrace!"
"Yes, and our Harrison family won't either! Don't even think about using my father's name to get out of this!"
Catherine. added, holding up her father's banner again with a determined expression.
Everyone was moved by Eleanor's righteous stance.
Rumors had long suggested that Eleanor and Thomas had an unusual relationship—that she had always protected him.
But now, seeing her publicly condemn him despite their past, everyone began to change their view of her.
Charles, seated not far away, rubbed his forehead.
Others didn't realize that mother and daughter were putting on an act, but he did.
What exactly was she trying to do?
Was this why she had asked him to bring Cathy?
Thinking back on Eleanor's strange behavior that day, Charles's gaze darkened.
Thomas was in full panic, grasping at anything to defend himself.
"Eleanor, you invited me! You told me to come here today! You even said we should find a chance to elope!"
"Elope?"
Cathy lifted her head, her chubby face filled with arrogant disdain.
She grabbed Emily's hand and suddenly marched over to Charles's side, standing firmly between her parents.
"Uncle Thomas, please be realistic. Do you seriously need me to remind you of the difference between you and my dad?"
"Just because some unreliable gossip spreads outside, do you really think you matter?"
"You need to treat your paranoia! If you keep pestering my mom… I'll have my dad destroy you!"
As she finished, she turned to Eleanor and grinned. "Mom, did I steal your lines?"
Eleanor sighed, a little exasperated, and nodded.
"Yes, you took my lines."
She never knew her daughter could be this ruthless.
Originally, she had only intended to ask her to take a look at her attitude towards Charles, but she never expected this girl to be such a godsend.
Charles stared at Eleanor with deep, piercing eyes. In just a few seconds, he seemed to see straight into her heart.
The scene gradually returned to calm, and Mr. Carter announced that the banquet would resume. However, after what had just happened, no one was in the mood for merriment anymore.
After staying for a while, Eleanor bid farewell to her grandfather and followed Charles back to the Harrison estate.
As soon as they stepped inside, Cathy—who had spent the entire ride flattering her father—was immediately sent off to her aunt by Charles. Then, without warning, he grabbed Eleanor's hand and dragged her upstairs to the second floor.
Inside the bedroom, Charles pressed Eleanor against the wall, his imposing presence overwhelming. His deep-set brows furrowed, and his thin lips pressed into a tight line. His dark eyes bore into hers like an ancient, bottomless pool.
"Eleanor, what tricks are you playing?" he demanded coldly.
Eleanor struggled, feeling wronged. "Husband, you're suffocating me!"
Before she could say another word, Charles silenced her.
A chilling breath swept through her mouth with an undeniable force. At first, Eleanor tried to keep up, standing on tiptoe to cooperate. But soon, she had no choice but to surrender completely to his dominance.
It was impossible to tell how much time had passed before a sudden knock on the door interrupted them.
"Cathy, Mr. and Mrs. have already gone to bed..."
"Definitely not! Wait, I'll call them. Mom! Dad! Come out for dinner!"
It was Catherine's voice.