Chapter 84
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Andrew knew the entertainment industry’s reputation all too well. It was a shark tank filled with starry–eyed hopefuls willing to do anything for their big break and sleazy bigwigs with hidden agendas. The thought alone made his skin crawl.
No way in hell was he letting his baby sister anywhere near that cesspool. He had the means to create a safer stage for her talents to flourish, far from the industry’s seedy underbelly.
Eleanor let out a soft sigh. She’d seen this coming a mile away. “Come on, Andrew. Don’t you trust me at all?” she pleaded.
Andrew’s brows furrowed so deeply they nearly touched. “This isn’t about trusting you, Eleanor. You’re still young. The world isn’t as rosy as you imagine it to be. It’s my job to protect you.”
Eleanor felt a warmth in her heart, understanding Andrew’s meaning.
True, for a pampered heiress raised in a sheltered environment, venturing solo into the entertainment industry would be quite a challenge. But Eleanor was no trust fund baby. She’d fought tooth and nail to get where she was, and she’d seen enough of human nature to know its darker side.
“Andrew,” she said with a gentle smile, “I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle myself out there. You can’t keep me bubble- wrapped forever, you know?”
Andrew frowned. “Why not? I want to protect you until you’re eighty. I’d like to see anyone try to stop me.”
Eleanor was speechless, thinking that this might be the blind love parents had for their children.
Taking a deep breath and biting her lip, she decided to use her secret weapon. She grabbed Andrew’s arm, shaking it playfully like a child, her voice taking on a coquettish tone. “Andrew, do you love me?”
“Yes,” Andrew blurted out, his voice thick with emotion. He even could rip out his heart and offer it to her right then and there.
Eleanor’s tone softened, though her words remained pointed. “Andrew. You love me, and I love you too. You work so hard, and I don’t want to burden you with my problems. Just as you want to protect me out of love, I want to protect you too. We’re family, after all. You can’t deny me the right to care for you.”
She continued, “Besides, acting is my dream. If you were to interfere, all those directors and actors would think I only got roles because of the Vanderbilt name. They’d dismiss my talents entirely. You wouldn’t want that, would you?
“Look at how things have turned out. Without relying on you, I’ve earned the director’s praise. I’ve succeeded on my own merits. Isn’t that what really matters?”
Andrew’s resolve had already melted considerably under Eleanor’s charm offensive. He was still hesitant, but his defenses were crumbling.
Eleanor, sensing his weakening resolve, pressed her advantage. With a playful smile, she cooed, “Come on, Andrew. Don’t you want people to introduce you as ‘the movie star’s brother‘?”
That was it. Andrew’s last line of defense shattered. He was powerless against Eleanor’s wheedling.
“Fine,” he conceded with a sigh. “But remember this – you’re the heiress of the Vanderbilt family and the sister of the current head of Vanderbilt Group. Nobody can push you around. If anyone tries, you push right back.
“I’ll handle any fallout. Hell, even if you decide to throw money around, I’ll make sure they can’t pick it up fast enough. Just don’t let anyone take advantage of you, got it?”
Eleanor felt a warm glow inside. She loved this sense of belonging, of being protected. “I understand, Andrew,” she said softly.
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Chapter 84
Andrew couldn’t help but smile, his icy demeanor melting slightly. He affectionately ruffled her hair.
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Just then, the sound of slapping flip–flops echoed from behind them. A mocking voice cut through the air. “Look at Ellie, making her own way in the world. And here you are, a loser, still relying on Andrew’s money. Pathetic.”
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Felix stumbled into view, still clad in pajamas, his hair a wild nest. Even half–asleep, he couldn’t resist taking a jab at Samuel, who trudged behind him.
Samuel dragged his suitcase towards the helicopter, his face like thunder. For once, he wasn’t trading barbs with Felix. He tossed his luggage in and climbed aboard, slamming the door with a resounding thud.
Eleanor blinked, wondering if she had imagined the look of resentment in Samuel’s eyes when he glanced her way.
‘Did I do something to tick him off?‘ she wondered. ‘Everything seemed fine yesterday. What could’ve possibly happened overnight?‘
Puzzled, Eleanor turned to Felix. “What’s eating Samuel? He looks seriously pissed.”
Felix snorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “Ignore him. He’s just on his man period.”
Eleanor was left speechless.
Andrew chimed in to explain, “You two are filming at the same studio lot. You’re heading there together today. If he gives you any trouble, just call me. I’ll send some bodyguards to rough him up.”
The first rule of the Vanderbilt family was “Revenge is a dish best served piping hot“.
Eleanor quickly waved her hands, alarmed. “No, no, that’s not necessary. Samuel’s not going to give me any trouble.”
post his Felix narrowed his eyes and began to shout at the top of his lungs, “Don’t worry, Eleanor! If he dares to bully you, I’ll bed–wetting photos online!”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Samuel yanked open the helicopter window and yelled back, “Mind keeping it down with the trash talk? I can hear every word, you know!”
Felix snorted, “Good. That was the point.”
“Humph.” Samuel grunted in response.
Andrew, ignoring their bickering, glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Alright, it’s about time. You should get going. Stay safe on your journey.”
Eleanor nodded in agreement. She took two steps forward, then suddenly spun around and flung herself into Andrew’s arms, hugging his waist tightly. “Thanks, Andrew,” she whispered
Andrew tensed briefly before melting into the embrace. But their moment was short–lived. Felix’s eyes flashed with envy, and he stomped his foot. “Hey, no fair!” he protested. “Why did you only hug Andrew? What about me?”
“You know what they say – pick favorites and karma will bite you in the butt,” Felix added, trying to sound wise.
Eleanor couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She stepped out of Andrew’s arms and gave the pouting Felix a quick hug. “Thank you too, Felix,” she said warmly.
Felix immediately calmed down, the tips of his ears turning red. Usually quite talkative, he now stumbled over his words, managing only a stuttered, “Y–you’re welcome.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them, wondering if that had sounded too formal.
Eleanor was gone before he could react. She waved from afar, her voice carrying on the wind. “Andrew, Felix, catch you
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The chopper’s blades whirred to life, the sound fading as it lifted off and vanished into the horizon.
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Upstairs, a figure in white stood sentinel at the window, observing the scene below. His lips curled into a cold smirk, eyes glinting with barely concealed malice.
‘Well, well, Dylan thought. ‘Looks like our new little sister got some tricks up her sleeve. No wonder Andrew and Felix jumped ship so fast. No wonder Gloria has to be sent away…
It was clear that he would be no softening towards her.
SEND GIFT
