Chapter 16
As soon as Eleanor stepped into Vanderbilt Manor, the booming voice of her brother Andrew echoed through the hall. His anger was unmistakable, rattling the walls with his fury.
“What do you mean Ellie isn’t fit to ride in our family car?” Andrew barked. “Ellie is the heir to the Vanderbilt name. She’s my sister, our parents daughter. What part of that doesn’t qualify her to sit in a Vanderbilt car?
Felix, this is your last warning. Ellie is my baby sister, and if anything happens to her, don’t expect me to forgive you just because we share blood. Now go. All of you, find her. No one gets to sleep until Ellie’s home safe and sound.”
Eleanor froze in the entryway, her heart doing an unexpected lip. A strange warmth trickled through her, thawing the cold, barren wasteland that usually surrounded her emotions.
She had always thought of herself as a lonely ghost, wandering this world with no one to care if she was wronged or mistreated. But now, hearing those protective words spoken so fiercely on her behalf. she realized just how wrong she had been
“Andrew,” she called softly, taking a deep breath to steady the wild beating of her heart as she stepped into the living room. “I’m home.” The chaotic room fell into sudden silence.
Andrew, standing rigid in the center of the room, his face dark with worry, slowly turned around. When his eyes landed on the fragile figure at the door, all the tension seemed to drain from his body.
He rushed toward her, sweeping her into a fierce embrace, holding her as if she were a precious treasure he’d almost lost forever. Thank goodness you’re safe, he murmured, his voice tight with emotion. “I’m so sorry, Ellie. I should’ve protected. you better.
Panic had gripped him like a vice. Just moments ago, when Felixand Gloria returned without Eleanor, he had felt the ground drop from under him. When he learned that Felix had left Eleanor behind to return alone, dread washed over him.
In that instant, memories from his past life flooded back–visions of Eleanor lying lifeless in the hospital morgue, thin, frail,” and utterly devoid of warmth or vitality. It crushed his heart to think of her that way.
Eleanor stood still in his arms, feeling the heat of his worry melt the chill that had settled over her during her trip home. Though she didn’t fully understand why Andrew was acting like this, she could sense the fear and relief in his hold instead of the malice she had expected.
He wasn’t just hugging her. He was hanging on for dear life. Something in her heart shifted, and without thinking, she lifted her arms and hugged him back. “Andrew, I’m fine, she whispered. “See? I’m home now.”
Hearing that, he came to his senses and pulled away slightly, enough to look her in the eyes, his hand coming up to gently ruffle her hair. The stern, protective brotherly facade softened into something warmer, almost playful.
“Good girl. Glad you found your way back,” he chuckled, though his voice was still heavy with concern. “Next time, if you don’t want to ride with them, I’ll get you your own driver. No need to be stuck with people who don’t appreciate you.
Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh at the idea, shaking her head. “Andrew, that’s really unnecessary. We don’t need to go overboard here.”
She thought to herself, ‘Seriously, two drivers just to pick the kids up? That’s a bit much, even for the Vanderbilts!
But Andrew’expression faltered for a moment. Her lighthearted dismissal had stirred something in him. The memory of her from their past life–struggling to make ends meet, keeping track of her shifts in a worn–out notebook, stashing away ancager savings in a rusty old cookie tin–hit him hard.
“Okay” he finally said, his voice softer now. I’ll do what you say. No need to waste.”
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Chapter 16
Standing off to the side, Gloria watched the scene unfold, her manicured nails digging into her palms so hard she could feel the sting.
“What the hell did Eleanor do to get Andrew wrapped around her finger? she fumed silently. Andrew used to dote on me, showering me with attention, anHe doesn’t even glance itly way. It has to be Eleanor, whispering who–knows–what into his ear, turning him against me. What a calculating bitch.
She kept pondering. And on the way back. I overheard Felix saving that this ditzy girl actually got into Aloria High School. and in Class A no less. What the hell? We both scored six hundred points, so how is she in Class A while I’m stuck in Class D Andrew must be pulling some strings for her.
The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. “This can’t go on. I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Eleanor must pay for this, she bellowed internally.
Gloria swore to herself that she wouldn’t sit back and let Eleanor take everything from her. In her eyes, she was the rightful owner of the Vanderbilt family fortune. She had the status of being the favored daughter and the love and protection of her
brothers.
Gathering her nerves, Gloria took a deep breath. She forced a sweet, trembling smile onto her face and took a step forward, “Eleanor,” she began in a soft, shaky voice, Tm so glad you’re back. We were really worried about you.”
Her eyes were rimmed with red, giving the impression she had been crying. Eleanor looked at her, barely holding back at smirk You? Worried about me?”
Yeah, right. Eleanor thought. If anything, you were probably hoping I’d end up as a corpse in a ditch somewhere‘
Gloria’s face crumpled even more at Eleanor’s skeptical tone, her voice becoming more pitiful by the second. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears that added a layer of vulnerability to her words. How can you say that? Of course, I was worried.
“After you and Felix argued, I tried to calm him down so we could go find you, but by then, you were already gone. We had no choice but to come back. If you’re still upset, I can apologize pu Felix’s behalf
Her tone, thick with emotion, was almost convincing. If someone didn’t know better, they might think she was the one wronged, with Eleanor being the heartless villain in this twisted tale.
Eleanor couldn’t help the cold laugh that slipped past her lips. “Wow, she thought. ‘She’s good at this, saying just enough to disentangle herself from any blame and make herself look like the victim while painting me as the unreasonable one. She even managed to cry on cue!
As Eleanor expected, the moment Gloria’s pitiful words left her
ups, Felix, that clueless dope, fell right into her trap. He stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Gloria like some sort of knight in shining armor. His face was flushed with anger as he glared at Eleanor.
“If you’ve got a problem, come at me. It was my idea to make the driver take us home without you, and it was my words that set everything off. Why do you keep picking on Gloria?” he snapped.
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in her eyes. “I’ve only said four words, and somehow you two have spun an entire drama out of it. And now you’re trying to pin some imaginary crime on me? Maybe you’ve both got persecution complexes?”
“Huh?” Felix’s face turned beet red, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tried to come up with a response.
Andrew, seeing where this was heading, stepped in quickly, clearly anxious to prevent Felix from going off the deep end and directing his tre toward Eleanor. “Enough, Felix. You two were in the wrong today. Apologize to Ellie and then go upstairs and do your homework”
Felix gritted his teeth but stood rooted to the spot, unwilling to budge. Gloria, ever the actress, tugged gently at his sleeve and whispered, “It’s fine, Felix. I’ll apologize to Eleanor on our behalf.”
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Chapter 16
Aww, poor things, Eleanor thought with a sarcastic chuckle. It was honestly nauseating for her to see them playing the victims. She didn’t know whether to pity them or herself for having to witness it,
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“That won’t be necessary. Andrew,” Eleanor said coolly, then turning to Felix. “There’s no need for an apology, Mr. Felix Vanderbilt. I’m heading up to do my homework. With that, she gracefully spun on her heel, her clothes swishing as she ascended the stairs, leaving everyone in stunned silence behind her.
Andrew frowned, about to say something more, but seeing that Deanor hadn’t made a fuss, he held his tongue. He knew better than to risk annoying her further, especially after everything that had transpired. Instead, he shot a sharp look at Felix, hoping to silence him.
Felix, however, stood frozen in place, his mind racing. ‘Did she just call me… Mr. Felix Vanderbilt he thought in disbelief, The formality stung like a slap
“Fine,” he yelled after her. “Go ahead and call me that. You’re no sister to me either.
Eleanor, just about to close her bedroom door, paused. The corner of her mouth twitched before a quiet laugh escaped her. “How childish she muttered under her breath.
With a satisfying click, the door shut behind her, sealing off the muffled sounds of Felix’s indignant outbursts. She sighed deeply, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as the chaos outside faded into nothingness.
Slipping off the large–framed glasses she had been wearing. Eleanor rubbed her eyes. Everything became clearer now without the bulky lenses obstructing her vision. It was strange. She wasn’t even nearsighted and she couldn’t figure out why on earth the original Eleanor had insisted on wearing such massive glasses.
Shrugging off the thought, she headed into the bathroom. When she emerged, her bangs, which usually hung heavily over her forehead, were pulled back, revealing her perfectly sculpted face. Even without a trace of makeup, her beauty was stunning–sharp, delicate features that seemed almost ethereal
Eleanor caught her reflection in the mirror and nodded with a smile of satisfaction. There we go, she murmured
She thought to herself, ‘It makes sense now. All six of my brothers are insanely good–looking. There’s no way I’d be an exception. Her beauty was nearly identical to that of her past life–timeless, alluring, and absolutely breathtaking. Her lips: curled into a confident grin as she admired her bare
