Chapter 577

"Can I come over to your place?" The question hit Charles like a bolt of lightning. He froze. Of all the things she could’ve said, this was the last thing he expected. They were practically strangers. A few exchanged words didn’t warrant a personal visit, let alone to his home. Who did she think she was? His eyes narrowed, a wary gleam flickering beneath his long lashes. "What do you mean by that?" But Eleanor remained unruffled. Her posture was relaxed, her voice calm, almost offhand. "Actually—" she began, then added slowly, "I knew your sister. Eleanor." The name dropped like a stone in a still pond. For a second, Charles didn’t react. Then—his pupils contracted. His entire body went rigid, as if struck by a memory too raw to process. The color drained from his face. His lips parted but no words came out, only breath—shaky and short. "Eleanor Hampton.." he finally muttered, voice hollow. Like someone had dragged the words out from the depths of a grave. Two syllables—Eleanor Hampton