Chapter 26 Are You Two Close?
Sienna walked away briskly, while Gabriel lowered his gaze.
On his phone, the chat with his assistant remained open.
In the car, Eleanor assumed they were taking her to the estate, but to her surprise, they drove toward a more remote area.
Did Mr. Hudson really need to meet me this far out?
The more she thought about it, the more something felt off. Keeping her composure, she gripped the door handle lightly and asked, “Is Mr. Hudson outside the suburbs?”
The bodyguards didn’t answer,
A sinking feeling settled in Eleanor’s chest.
One sat on either side of her, their demeanor far from respectful, more like they were monitoring her.
There was a subtle shift in their attitude compared to when they had first invited her into the car.
She could sense danger.
No, I can’t stay in this car any longer.
“I’m feeling carsick. I need some air,” she said coldly, gripping the door handle tightly.
When the bodyguards didn’t respond, she yanked at it harder.
A loud bang echoed as she pounded on the window.
Annoyed, the two men beside her seized her hands.
“Ms. Weston, please be patient. We’ll be there soon.
”
The voice was smooth yet unsettling. Now that they were closer, Eleanor could clearly see the man’s face, pockmarked with
acne scars.
Catching her staring, the only one wearing sunglasses removed them with a smirk. “Is my face that fascinating to you, Ms. Weston?”
Without the glasses, his full appearance became clear.
A long, jagged scar ran from the corner of his eye down to the bridge of his nose. It had been barely noticeable with the sunglasses on, but now it was glaringly obvious.
When he grinned, the scar twisted, making him look even more sinister.
“Ms. Weston, what made you think Hudson was the one who invited you?”
Someone like Hudson wouldn’t summon her for coffee.
The man chuckled darkly. “It was Mr. Chadwick who asked for you.”
Mr. Chadwick? Chadwick Sullivan?
Eleanor’s brows furrowed at the name, a wave of unease washing over her.
The Sullivan family was wealthy, but Chadwick’s reputation was notorious.
Rumor had it that he built his empire from nothing, had already lived over half a lifetime, and had been in and out of prison multiple times.
Though those rumors had been officially denied, his ruthless methods were undeniable.
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The most infamous incident involved a boy who had persistently pursued Sienna when she was a child. Not long after, both of his hands were crippled. Chadwick resolved the matter with money, and from that day on, no one dared to bother Sienna again.
Incidents like these were common in the Sullivan family.
Eleanor knew she would have to face them eventually, but now was not the time.
“Sorry, I have other matters to attend to. I’ll have to decline Mr. Chadwick’s invitation,” she said with a smile.
No one listened.
They arrived at their destination soon after.
A secluded villa stood in the mountains, surrounded on all sides. The scenery was picturesque, but whatever happened here would remain unseen by the outside world.
As the car rolled into the estate, Eleanor took out her phone, only to find there was no signal.
Ethan and Gabriel had both messaged her.
She tapped on their messages. They were both asking where she was.
But now, she couldn’t reply.
Stepping out of the car, she was immediately flanked by two bodyguards who pressed in on her, forcing her forward.
Inside, the grand hall was furnished with a massive couch, where Chadwick sat, casually holding a coffee cup.
His shaved head gleamed under the light, and he wore a black vest over his shirt. Coiling around his muscular arms were tattoos of sharp–toothed beasts, their jaws gaping as if poised to devour everything in sight.
You’re here.”
Chadwick’s face bore a smile, yet it sent a chill down Eleanor’s spine.
“Ms. Weston, have a seat.”
His tone was pleasant, but the underlying menace was unmistakable.
“Ms. Weston, you and Ethan are close, aren’t you?” His smile remained unchanged.
Eleanor shook her head. “No.”
“If you’re not close, then why would he sabotage the cooperation between our families for you?”
Chadwick leaned forward slightly, his voice casual, but his gaze sharp.
“Ms. Weston, I don’t like being lied to.”
