Chapter 3 Isn't That Eleanor Over There !

The moment Eleanor walked out of the Todd Group headquarters, her phone buzzed with a message from her closest friend, Lillian Brooks.

"It's my birthday today. I know you probably can't come, but I just wanted to remind you. Honestly, I don't know what kind of spell that jerk Jonny has on you. You've cut yourself off from everyone for his sake."

With little thought, Eleanor sent back a reply. "Give me the address."

For a beat there was silence, and then her screen lit up with a text.

"What the hell? What's happening?"

Eleanor's fingers moved with calm precision. "I've signed the divorce agreement."

"Oh my God, you finally broke free of that lovesick title. Stay put. I'm coming to you right away!"

...

A sleek maroon convertible sped on the highway.

Behind the wheel, Lillian tipped her sunglasses down and gave Eleanor a playful whistle. "Eleanor, since you're finally out of that nightmare, we're celebrating at Velvet Club tonight. We're going to have fun."

Eleanor leaned lazily against the seat, her voice quiet. "Alright."

Lillian's curiosity got the better of her. "So what pushed you to finally cut ties? Let me guess-Lainey's back, isn't she?"

A faint smile touched Eleanor's lips. "Congratulations. You guessed it."

Lillian slid her sunglasses off and remarked with a smirk, "Back then, Lainey ran off the moment he ended up in a wheelchair, and now that she's returned, he's chasing after her like some lovesick fool. Do you think Jonny damaged more than his legs in that car crash?"

"Hard to say."

"And you, wasting three whole years tied to that useless man," Lillian continued. "Good thing there weren't any kids, or the divorce would've been a nightmare."

A quiet laugh escaped Eleanor. "There was never a chance of that. He and I never even shared a bed."

"What?!" Lillian almost lost hold of the steering wheel. "You're telling me you were married for three years and never slept together?!"

Eleanor's beauty was undeniable. If that was true, then was Jonny incapable?

"He was keeping himself pure for Lainey." Just mentioning the two of them made Eleanor's stomach twist. "Enough about him. Can you drop me off so I can change first?"

"Of course!"

By eight that evening, the Velvet Club was in full swing. It was Elepdon's largest entertainment venue, a gathering place for the city's wealthy and powerful, where extravagance ruled and a single bottle of wine could cost hundreds of thousands.

Lillian's eyes sparkled as she glanced at Eleanor. "Now this is the Eleanor I remember!"

That night, Eleanor's figure was wrapped in a sleek red dress that traced every curve. With loose waves tumbling over her shoulders and crimson lips to match, she was a vision that drew every eye.

Once Eleanor was seated, Lillian gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. "Stay here. I'll track down some top-shelf wine."

"Alright."

Eleanor's allure was undeniable; even as she sat still beneath the lights, her presence drew the eyes of countless men in an instant.

Out of nowhere, a man with blond hair swaggered up, flashing her a greasy smile. "Hey, beautiful. Sitting alone must be boring. How about sharing a drink with me?"

Across the club, Jonny stepped inside accompanied by his younger sister, Emma Todd.

From a nearby booth, Lainey lifted her hand in greeting, her smile poised. "Jonny, Emma, over here."

Emma hurried over, her face glowing with excitement. "Lainey, I'm so happy you're back. I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too." The reply was warm, but Lainey's eyes never strayed from Jonny.

She was just about to draw him in with another gesture when Emma's voice rang out in surprise. "Jonny, isn't that Eleanor over there?!"

Jonny's head turned toward the direction Emma pointed.

Under the shifting lights, a striking figure rested on a barstool, her long legs revealed beneath the hem of her skirt, elegant and mesmerizing.