Even if she is difficult to deal with and threatens you, you must endure it and not give in!"
Emily lowered her head and bit her lip, looking dejected. She kept repeating, "Dad, I was wrong."
Although Olivia seemed to be scolding Emily, she was subtly implying that Eleanor intended to use Emily to interfere with the company. Not only was Eleanor difficult to deal with, but she would also resort to threats.
Naturally, Mr. Brooks heard everything. "This won't do!"
Eleanor smiled and said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't hold back. I really like the food here."
"Miss Eleanor likes it? Then be sure to come often. I can make whatever you like to eat," said Wang, the head cook, with a warm smile.
Eleanor picked up a piece of garlic shrimp and replied, "Then I'll take you up on that. I'll drop by whenever I have time—I really enjoy your cooking."
Just as she finished speaking, the phone on the table rang, drawing everyone's attention. Seeing the caller ID, Eleanor raised an eyebrow with a half-smile, while Emily tensed up.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Eleanor's unusual expression, Old Man Carter asked.
"My father is calling. I suppose he's back from his business trip."
Eleanor's smile didn't reach her eyes.
Of course, she knew her father wouldn't call her for anything good. Casually, she answered and put the phone on speaker.
"Eleanor! Where are you right now? Come back immediately! I raised you all these years, only for you to bully others and make a mess outside? You don't even understand company affairs, yet you dare to interfere—"
The moment the call connected, Edward's furious voice filled the restaurant. Old Man Carter's face immediately darkened. Before Eleanor could respond, he snatched the phone and barked,
"Edward Brooks! My granddaughter is not yours to discipline!"
Hearing Old Man Carter's voice, Edward's arrogance instantly deflated. He quickly muttered a few polite words before hanging up.
However, before ending the call, he made it clear that Eleanor had to return to the Brooks family estate the next day.
Noticing Eleanor's cautious demeanor and recalling Edward's tone on the phone, Old Man Carter could already imagine the difficult life she endured in the Brooks family. With a sigh of pity, he muttered, "If your mother were still alive..."
Eleanor cut him off, her eyes turning cold. "The things that belonged to my mother—I will take them back, one by one."
Mr. Carter's heart ached even more. Having lost his daughter, he would not allow his only granddaughter to be bullied. Resolutely, he patted Eleanor's shoulder and said firmly, "Ele, do whatever you need to do. Don't worry about anything—Grandpa is here for you."
Though he had no interest in the Brooks family's assets, they rightfully belonged to Eleanor, not outsiders. She was right—this was all hers.
Eleanor's heart warmed at his words. She wasn't alone. She was still a Carter. As long as she didn't repeat the mistakes of her past life—trusting Emily and Olivia—she wouldn't fall into that miserable situation again. And this time, she would take back everything Olivia owed her.
"Grandpa, I'll listen to you. Don't worry—I won't cause any trouble, and I'll be obedient."
"Good," Mr. Carter smiled. "You'll be returning tomorrow, so stay here tonight. I had your room cleaned—go take a look later."
"Okay, I trust that Grandpa's people will do the best for me," Eleanor said, making the old man chuckle.
After dinner, she played two games of chess with Mr. Carter before persuading him to rest. Then, she returned to her room for the night.
---
The Next Morning
Eleanor went to the Brooks family villa, while Charles arrived early at the Carter family mansion, only to find it empty.
"She's not here?" he asked.
A servant answered, "Miss Eleanor had breakfast and then left for the Brooks family. Mr. Brooks was urging her."
Charles nodded slightly, a sense of unease rising within him. Without hesitation, he turned around and left with a serious expression.
---
At the Brooks Family Estate
As soon as Eleanor returned, a servant informed her that she was to go directly to the study.
The study was quiet. Edward was still reading documents when she knocked and stepped inside.
"Dad," she greeted.
"You still know how to come back?" Edward looked up at her, displeased. He knocked on the table and ordered, "Return the contract!"
Eleanor blinked. "Contract?"
"You don't understand anything. Why did you have to interfere and force Emily to give you that piece of land?" Edward scolded. "I've ignored your usual mischief, but company matters are not that simple. There is no reason for you to get involved."
Now Eleanor understood. She almost laughed. Looking at her father, she asked, "So, Dad, you summoned me back just for the land?"
Yesterday, when he yelled at her over the phone, she wasn't surprised. Given her past reputation and her father's blind trust in Olivia and Emily, she could understand the misunderstanding.
But now, seeing that he cared more about reclaiming the land than about her, Eleanor couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice.
Emily could handle land matters for the company—so why was it a problem when Eleanor secured a piece of land for herself?
Edward frowned. "That land belongs to the company. Emily struggled to obtain it, and—"
"Struggled?" Eleanor cut him off. "She and Olivia set me up! I took the land as compensation—interest, even!"
She couldn't listen anymore.
She didn't know how Emily had persuaded their father, but now he was convinced the land should be taken from her.
Edward's face darkened. "Eleanor! How can you speak like that? You don't even call her 'Mother'—just 'Aunt Olivia'? Who gave you the right to call her by name? She treats you better than Emily ever has—what more do you want?"
"Better than Emily treats me?" Eleanor scoffed.
"Her so-called kindness was to drug me at my grandfather's birthday banquet, stage an affair between me and Emily's fiancé, and humiliate me in front of everyone—disgracing both the Carter and Brooks families. Do you really think that's kindness?"
"Nonsense!"
Before Eleanor could finish, Edward shouted, grabbed a book from his desk, and threw it at her.
Eleanor instinctively dodged, but the book still grazed her forehead.
She reached up, touching the spot—it hadn't broken the skin, but it stung.
Slowly, she looked up at her father, who glared at her with a dark expression. A chill crept through her heart.
She said nothing, but her cold, accusing gaze made Edward uneasy.
"How much more do you want?" he snapped. "Olivia has treated you with all her heart, yet you speak of her like this?"
Eleanor's lips curled into a bitter smile. So this is my father.