Eleanor snapped back to reality, and Charles released her just in time.
They locked eyes for a brief moment. Her lips were flushed red, a silent testament to what had just happened. Suddenly, as if on cue, they both averted their gazes.
Eleanor leaned against the wall, straightening her clothes, while Charles studied her with suspicious eyes.
"Father, Mom wasn't full at lunch. Come eat quickly!" Cathy called out insistently from outside.
Eleanor felt her heart soften. "Alright, Cathy. Mommy will be there soon. Go ahead and start eating."
"Mommy, hurry up! Don't forget to call Dad!"
Cathy's voice trailed off as she ran downstairs, and soon, the sound of the servants' footsteps faded.
Eleanor wiped her lips and patted her cheeks. Once she was sure she looked normal, she reached for the doorknob. But before she could turn it, Charles stopped her.
"Eleanor, I don't care what game you're playing, but listen carefully—don't ever hurt Cathy. Don't let her be spoiled." His sharp gaze was a clear warning.
Eleanor turned to face him. "Husband, Cathy is my daughter. How could I ever bring myself to hurt her? Don't worry, I will take good care of her."
She understood he was referring to Cathy speaking up for her at the Carter family's banquet.
"Oh?" Charles's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Remember what you just said."
It was clear that he still didn't trust her.
Eleanor spread her hands and nodded innocently, signaling that she understood.
Considering how Emily had previously misled her into resisting Charles and keeping her distance from Cathy, it was only natural for him to doubt her now.
Later, Eleanor accompanied Cathy downstairs for a bowl of noodles and played puzzle games with her for a while. Soon, it was time for Cathy's nap.
The maid who cared for Cathy approached and reminded her of the time. But before the maid could take Cathy away, Eleanor held her daughter's tiny hand.
"Let's go, sweetheart. Mommy will tell you a bedtime story."
"Really, Mom?" Cathy's little body straightened, her eyes wide with surprise.
The servants exchanged stunned glances.
Eleanor felt a pang of guilt. How much had she neglected Cathy in the past for her daughter to react like this?
She bent down, scooped Cathy into her arms, and carried her to her small bedroom. Once Cathy was tucked in, Eleanor sat beside her with a book of fairy tales and began reading softly.
Cathy listened eagerly, her eyes fixed on her mother. Even after two stories, she still hadn't fallen asleep.
Eleanor stroked her head. "What's wrong, Cathy? Aren't you sleepy?"
Cathy tugged at Eleanor's sleeve and whispered, "I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, Mommy will disappear."
Eleanor fell silent. Her lack of response made Cathy's little face tense with worry, her grip on Eleanor's sleeve tightening.
"No, sweetheart," Eleanor reassured her, bending down to kiss her forehead. "Mommy will be here. When you wake up, I'll still be right by your side."
Cathy immediately smiled, her eyes filled with trust. "Mommy, you're so nice."
A complicated feeling surged in Eleanor's heart.
With Eleanor's promise, Cathy finally closed her eyes and soon drifted into a peaceful sleep. Listening to her daughter's steady breathing, Eleanor gently tucked the blanket around her. Then, in a soft whisper, she vowed, "Mommy wasn't good before, but I'll do better from now on."
Just then, Rebecca entered the room and found Eleanor sitting by Cathy's bedside, reading a book. Her expression darkened with suspicion.
"What are you doing here?" Rebecca asked coldly.
"Mom, I was just taking a nap with Cathy."
Rebecca looked at her skeptically. "You? Accompanying her? Are you joking?"
She hesitated for a moment, as if struggling to believe what she was seeing.
At that moment, Cathy woke up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Grandma..." she mumbled drowsily before turning her head. Seeing Eleanor still sitting beside her, she beamed with delight.
"Mommy!"
Eleanor's heart melted at the sight of her daughter's bright smile.
"Good girl," she murmured, reaching out to hug Cathy. But before she could, Rebecca swooped in and scooped her granddaughter into her arms.
"Is my little Cathy hungry? Grandma will take you to eat some cheese sticks."
"Yay! Thank you, Grandma!" Cathy snuggled into Rebecca's embrace but turned back to wave at Eleanor with a wide smile.
Eleanor couldn't help but laugh.
Rebecca, however, narrowed her eyes. She had noticed Catherine's newfound closeness to Eleanor and was immediately on guard. Without another word, she quickened her pace and carried Cathy out of the room.
Eleanor followed behind them. But just as she stepped into the hallway, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID, her eyes flashing with cold impatience.
Emily.
She had hoped Emily would at least wait until tomorrow.
As soon as the call connected, Emily's sharp accusations came through the phone.
"Eleanor, what's wrong with you today? Thomas is deeply in love with you, yet you framed him like this. Do you have any conscience for his feelings?"
"He cares about you so much! You should bail him out immediately. You know very well that Thomas would never involve himself in anything shady. Now that he's in trouble, only you can save him. Eleanor, you wouldn't be so heartless, would you?"
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, walked to the balcony with her phone in hand, and casually replied once Emily finished speaking.
"Of course, I'm not that heartless."
"I knew it!" Emily said, relieved.
"But what does this have to do with Thomas?" Eleanor interrupted, her voice indifferent.
This sudden question caught Emily off guard. The turn of events at the Carter family banquet had been unexpected, but she had pieced things together by now. It was all Eleanor's doing. What she couldn't understand was why Eleanor had changed her mind. Did she know something?
After a brief pause, Emily gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, what do you mean by that? I don't know what happened between you and Thomas, but he's a good man. Don't let him down. I just saw him come out—he looked devastated. If you save him now, this whole situation can be forgotten."
Nonsense.
Eleanor looked down at the trees below, a flicker of sarcasm flashing in her eyes. Though her tone softened, it carried an insincere warmth.
"If you want me to save him, it's not impossible."