Eleanor turned and looked at the Sullivan residence. She was back in this place again, and just stepping inside made her feel deeply unsettled.
The sound of the door alerted Nanny Wilkins, who came to see. Spotting Eleanor, her voice held a note of happiness, "Miss Eleanor, you're back."
"Yes, Nanny Wilkins," Eleanor replied flatly, though her tone towards the nanny was somewhat softer. Nanny Wilkins had practically watched her grow up. Back when her grandmother was still alive, Harold, Patricia, and Cecilia had rarely stayed at the old house, so Nanny Wilkins had naturally grown closer to Eleanor.
"Eleanor is back," Harold and Patricia Sullivan hurried downstairs upon hearing the commotion.
"Dad. Mom. I'm back." Eleanor's tone was polite, her posture stiff, as if she were a guest in an unfamiliar home. Not seeing Cecilia, she quickly asked, "Where's sister? Didn't she say she missed me?"
Patricia looked nervous. "Cillia... she's been quite tired lately, so she's resting," she said, glancing awkwardly at Harold.
Harold quickly changed the subject. "Eleanor, you must be tired from the flight. Get a good rest tonight. We can talk tomorrow." He then turned to Nanny Wilkins, "Nanny Wilkins, help bring Eleanor's luggage upstairs."
Nanny Wilkins glanced at Eleanor with slight concern. "Yes, sir."
"No need, Nanny Wilkins, I can manage. I didn't bring many clothes," Eleanor seized the excuse to make her escape. "Dad, Mom, I'll go rest now." With that, she quickly took her luggage and retreated to her room.
Eleanor's Room
Eleanor entered her room and collapsed directly onto the bed. She let out a long sigh, her entire body finally relaxing.
Then, as if remembering something, she sat up and sent a message to Liam: "Liam, all is well here."
She then called Skyler, who answered almost immediately. "I'm here," Eleanor said calmly.
"Did your parents do anything?" Skyler asked, worried.
"Nothing major. I'm just... exhausted," Eleanor replied, lying motionless on the bed.
"Just endure it for now. Two weeks, and it'll be over," Skyler said, sounding resigned. Eleanor was so used to playing the strong, independent woman outside that only around Skyler did she show this vulnerable side.
"Speaking of which, how's your sister? She's about to marry Lucien Griffin. Shouldn't she be gloating in your face nonstop?" Skyler switched to her usual gossip mode, curious. When her brother had told her Eleanor was home, she was sure it would be at least an hour before Eleanor called. She was surprised it happened so quickly.
Hearing this, Eleanor suddenly realized something. Given her sister's personality, it was impossible for her not to come out and taunt her. And her sister's room next door was unusually quiet. Eleanor sat up abruptly. "Something feels off."
"What? Your sister didn't gloat? That's not like her," Skyler prodded.
Eleanor grew serious. "I haven't seen her since I got home. And Nanny Wilkins, Harold, and Patricia... their expressions were strange."
Skyler's voice turned urgent. "Elle... you don't think your sister... eloped? Ever since you told me about the wedding, I did some digging of my own. Your sister has been very close these past few years to Aaron Lowe, the illegitimate son of the Lowe family. Given her personality, she would never marry someone she doesn't love. She's always been used to getting whatever she wants. Elle?"
Eleanor went still, her mind reeling.
"Elle, don't scare me!" Skyler was clearly spooked by her own theory, which had started as a joke.
"Cecilia... she really doesn't seem to be home... If she were, she definitely would have come out banging on my door by now," Eleanor said, her voice slightly unsteady. "Sky, I need to hang up. I need to process this. I'll investigate more tomorrow. You get some rest too." Before Skyler could respond, Eleanor ended the call.
Skyler looked out at the sunny skies of Summer City. She knew the situation with Eleanor was not good. It seemed things were far more complicated than they had imagined. She shook her head vigorously. "No more thinking. If I keep thinking about it, it might actually come true."
Skyler knew she had a knack for unintentionally predicting unfortunate events. Right now, she wished she could slap herself. "Why did I have to say 'eloped'...?" she muttered to herself.
Snapping back to attention, she quickly typed a message to Liam: "Bro, Elle is in danger!!" The moment she sent it, she deleted it.
On the other end, Liam saw the chat bubble appear and disappear, leaving him utterly confused. He decided not to pursue it with his sister. Turning his attention back to Eleanor's chat window, he sent a "đź‘Ť" emoji. His mind, however, was filled with the image of Eleanor's smiling, crescent-eyed face at the airport. He shook his head vigorously, chastising himself, "Liam, you're disgusting. That's Elle. How can you have such filthy thoughts?" His gaze fell on a photo album on his desk, and he gently traced a finger over it. "Besides," he thought with a sigh, "she's about to be married."
Meanwhile, Lucien Griffin wasn't faring much better. After parting ways with Ethan at the airport, he had spent the car ride deep in thought. The arranged marriage with the Sullivans, the true identity of "Y"... it all seemed to be converging. And then there was Eleanor Sullivan... why did she feel so familiar?
Griffin Manor
The butler, Mr. Adams, was waiting outside the main entrance. Seeing Lucien get out of the car, he quickly fell into step beside him. "Young Master, the doctor visited this morning. The Master's condition has worsened today. We must find Doctor Luo soon. The doctor said... he might not last until the New Year celebrations otherwise."
Hearing this, Lucien stopped walking. "The Formula 003... it's no longer effective?" he asked, his voice tight.
"It's not working anymore. The Master's illness is progressing rapidly. The medication is also gone; we can't find it through any of our usual channels. Please, try not to upset him lately... Humor him a little," Mr. Adams said cautiously.
If not for the fact that his grandfather's illness was visibly evident to all, Lucien might have suspected this was an elaborate scheme between the old man and the butler to make him comply with the marriage. He looked coldly at Mr. Adams. "Understood."
"And Grandfather...?" Lucien began to ask.
Mr. Adams cut him off gently. "The Master is asleep."
Lucien turned and headed towards his own room. "No need to follow me."
Mr. Adams nodded, watching Lucien walk away before returning to his duties.
Lucien's Room
Lucien, wearing a white bathrobe with water droplets tracing the lines of his sharp jawline, leaned back on the sofa, staring at the report on "Y."
He opened his laptop, and Ethan's video call request immediately popped up. Lucien accepted it.
"Lucien, I have news on Doctor Luo. I found out through the Black Domain Network that Doctor Luo treated a patient three days ago—the wife of a wealthy businessman from M City," Ethan said, sounding excited.
"Did you get Doctor Luo's contact information?" Lucien cut straight to the point.
"Not yet. The doctor's phone number and details seem to be deliberately concealed," Ethan said quietly.
"But, I've contacted the Black Domain Network. They're reviewing the request. I'll let you know as soon as they have any information," Ethan continued, watching Lucien's face. He could tell the situation with the Old Master Griffin was serious. "How is he...?"
"Not well. We need to hurry. Whatever their price, we must find a way to contact Doctor Luo," Lucien said, his eyes determined.
"Okay." Seeing Lucien's state, Ethan didn't press further.
Lucien ended the video call. He glanced once more at the file on "Y" before slowly closing his eyes. There was too much happening lately.