Chapter 26

Late autumn had painted the ground in gold. Fallen plane tree leaves carpeted the streets, spreading a golden kind of poetry across the earth. Wrapped in a soft cashmere shawl, Eleanor sat by the sunlit window, leafing through the new script a courier had just delivered. Luke sat cross-legged on the rug nearby, working on his laptop, glancing up at her from time to time with quiet affection. The calm, sun-drenched afternoon shattered when a news alert flashed across Eleanor's tablet. "Breaking News! Robert Hayes, Hayes Group's chairman, has been arrested on charges of embezzlement and large-scale tax evasion." "Follow up—Hayes Group stock collapses. The company declared bankruptcy and is under liquidation." "Analysis: Anonymous financial conglomerate suspected of orchestrating a targeted takedown behind Hayes Group's downfall." The bold headline blazed across the screen. Eleanor's finger froze mid-scroll. Her eyes lingered on the photo of Robert surrounded by reporters, his on