Chapter 421

Eleanor set her phone aside, deliberately ignoring Robert’s call. She had no intention of explaining her departure from Williams Court or the reasons she had come to Carlos. The best response, she decided, was silence. Yet, her heart sank. The familiar ache of loss settled over her. How had it come to this? When had the gap between her and Robert become so insurmountable? She had wanted to protect him, to shield him from the chaos surrounding his life. Instead, step by step, they had drifted apart, caught in the web of schemes spun by Samuel. As if summoned by her thoughts, another call interrupted her reverie. Eleanor’s eyes narrowed when she saw the number. It wasn’t Robert this time; it was Samuel. Her lips curved into a humorless smile as she answered. “What do you want?” Samuel’s voice, as cold and calculating as ever, came through. “Where are you?” Eleanor’s tone remained calm, almost dismissive. “I don’t owe you an update on my whereabouts.” A soft chuckle escaped Samuel. “Fair