Emily followed closely behind, glancing at Eleanor and Thomas before speaking directly. "Sister, do you think what you're doing is good for the reputation of the Harrison family? Even if your relationship with your husband is strained, you can't go around making a fool of him..."
Though Eleanor's face remained expressionless, she found Emily's words both amusing and irritating. She had never realized how good of an actress Emily was. What a waste that she hadn't pursued a career in entertainment.
But the stage set for her today was quite well-prepared.
Emily continued, "Sister, I know I shouldn't interfere as your younger sister, but what you're doing is truly wrong..."
Eleanor cut her off, pretending to be puzzled. "What are you talking about? I don't understand." She then glanced at Rebecca and asked, "Mom, what are you doing here?"
"How can you still ask me that?" Rebecca's face turned pale with anger. She glared at Eleanor and scolded, "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known you had the audacity to use your connections to bail out this man and then entangle yourself with him! Eleanor, our Harrison family has never wronged you!"
Her words were harsh, causing the surrounding onlookers—who had already been eavesdropping—to turn their attention toward them.
Emily's lips curled slightly in satisfaction, but her momentary triumph was short-lived as she met Eleanor's icy gaze.
Eleanor's eyes were striking, her deep brown irises resembling natural contact lenses. When she stared coldly, she exuded an intimidating aura—one that, if carefully observed, mirrored Charles's own chilling demeanor.
Of course, Emily wasn't thinking that far ahead. Instead, she bit her lip and whispered in a soft, innocent tone, "Sister, don't be mad. Aunt Rebecca is only doing this for your own good."
Eleanor let out a short, cold laugh. She stared at Emily and asked, "Did you tell her?"
Emily hesitated. "What?"
Eleanor remained calm. "About me and Thomas. The things she just said—did you tell her?"
Emily's brows furrowed slightly. Something felt off. Instinctively, she denied it. "Sister, I didn't say anything. I was just out shopping and having coffee with Aunt Rebecca. We happened to pass by and saw you two..."
As she spoke, she deliberately paused, stealing a glance at Eleanor, Thomas, and then subtly at Rebecca.
Rebecca, however, was too focused on Eleanor, glaring at her as if she were her greatest enemy. She didn't seem to notice Emily's little act.
Emily then lowered her voice, though loud enough for everyone to hear. "By the way, how did Thomas get out? I remember..." She trailed off, covering her mouth as if she had said too much.
Eleanor remained silent, but Thomas quickly responded. "Ele helped me."
Emily gasped, covering her mouth in exaggerated shock. "What? Is that true? Sister, how could you be so reckless?"
Thomas's expression darkened slightly.
By now, even Thomas could see through Emily's act. However, since this situation had been pre-planned, he played along. "Ele helped me get out. She asked me to meet her here because she had something to say."
Rebecca trembled with fury, pointing a shaking finger at Eleanor. "You... You're too much!"
Eleanor raised an eyebrow and turned to Thomas, pretending to be confused.
Thomas gave her a guilty look and whispered, "Ele, you told me there was a misunderstanding between us. You said you wouldn't have sent me to jail if not for that. Now that I'm out, do you still—"
His words were filled with emotion, but his pitiful act made Eleanor feel nauseous. Not only was he trying to manipulate her, but he was also attempting to drag her into his twisted scheme.
Eleanor sneered internally. In Thomas's eyes, she must have seemed like a fool.
"What do we have between us?" Eleanor cut him off coldly. "You've been rambling on, Thomas. Don't talk nonsense."
Emily's eyes lit up as if she had just won a battle.
"Ele, are you denying what we had?" Thomas quickly asked, his voice filled with desperation. "You said you liked me. I know I can't compare to the power of the Harrison family, but we have memories together! We can move past the misunderstanding from last time. But today, you need to make a choice. Who do you choose? I can leave with you right now..."
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Eleanor's hand, but his grasp met only empty air.
Suddenly, Charles appeared beside her.
His grip on her wrist was tight—so tight that it felt like he might crush it.
"Charles!" Rebecca's voice was filled with relief as she turned to him. "You came just in time to see this woman's true colors!"
Eleanor instinctively looked up at Charles. His sharp, piercing gaze bore into her, as if he could see straight through her soul.
He asked coldly, "What's going on?"
Eleanor's eyes flickered slightly, concealing the turmoil in her heart. She struggled against his grip, but Charles didn't let go.
"Charles, she secretly bailed out this man behind your back!" Rebecca accused. "And when Emily and I caught her meeting him here, she denied it!"
Rebecca's voice grew shriller. "What use is there in keeping such a woman? She has disgraced the Harrison family. Even if you like her, you need to consider the bigger picture! How will Cathy bear this humiliation?"
Charles narrowed his eyes slightly.
Emily, who had remained silent until now, nodded in agreement, feigning a troubled expression.
Thomas added fuel to the fire. "Ele and I are serious!"
Charles turned to Eleanor, his expression dark. "Is this the important matter you told me about?"
His voice was as cold as ice, and his gaze brimmed with suspicion.
Despite all her preparations, Eleanor still felt uneasy in this situation.
The man standing before her undoubtedly had feelings for her—or, at the very least, a strong sense of responsibility. She believed this because, in their past life, he had waited for her for eight years without any news from her.
Yet, at the same time, Charles's trust in her was weak. Almost nonexistent.
A wave of disappointment surged through Eleanor.
She let out a cold chuckle and forcibly shook off Charles's grip before turning to Emily. "You told my mother that I had an affair with Thomas and deliberately helped him escape, didn't you?"
"Sister, I didn't!" Emily bit her lip and denied it pitifully, sneaking a quiet glance at Thomas. "But everyone knows about you and Thomas. Given your history, it's understandable why you'd help him. I knew that at Grandfather's birthday banquet, you were just putting on a show for everyone."
Eleanor smirked. "So, your claim is that I had an affair with Thomas and intentionally rescued him?"
"Eleanor, our relationship is our own business. Why are you letting others interfere?" Thomas interjected. "Even if Emily is your sister, this is about us—our love..."