The next morning, the Sullivan residence.
"Miss Eleanor, the Master and Madam are waiting for you downstairs for breakfast," Nanny Wilkins called out softly. Hearing no further sound from the room, she quietly withdrew.
The morning sun filtered gently through the thin curtains, bathing the room in a soft light. Eleanor opened her eyes, looked out at the sunny Capital outside her window, and sighed. A new day had arrived, and with it, the dread of the unknown. The confirmation of Cecilia's absence last night felt like the final straw. What were the Sullivans truly planning?
Gathering her resolve, Eleanor got out of bed, washed up, and walked out of her room. She saw the couple downstairs leisurely sipping their morning tea, though the tea in their pots seemed to have been brewed multiple times, the leaves nearly spent.
Tap-tap-tap. The sound of her footsteps on the stairs made both Harold and Patricia turn their heads.
Eleanor wore a comfortable white lace nightgown, simple yet elegant, perfectly outlining her graceful figure and making her appear even more slender and tall.
Having not seen her for seven years, Patricia couldn't help but feel a pang of astonishment. She had always thought Cecilia was strikingly beautiful, but the woman before her now was truly breathtaking.
"Eleanor, you're awake. Let's have breakfast," Patricia said, feigning intimacy as she looped her arm through Eleanor's.
Eleanor immediately felt uncomfortable. What is going on? Their attitude was unnervingly pleasant compared to before.
The breakfast table was silent. Apart from Patricia continuously putting food into Eleanor's bowl, the three ate their meals without a word.
Harold finally spoke, his hands still holding his bowl and chopsticks. "Eleanor, how have things been lately? Is your work going well?" He was trying to break the ice.
"It's fine," Eleanor replied shortly, not wanting to elaborate. She turned the question back. "Where's sister? I haven't seen her since last night."
The color drained from Patricia's face. Harold was taken aback for a moment before setting down his utensils. "Nanny Wilkins, you may leave."
Nanny Wilkins glanced worriedly at Eleanor, acknowledged the order softly, and left.
"Eleanor, this marriage alliance with the Griffin family is extremely important to the Sullivans. Our funds are in serious trouble..." Harold began, his voice filled with feigned concern.
"Just go to the point!" Eleanor had no patience for their circling. She went straight for the heart of the matter.
Patricia spoke up then, her voice slightly choked. "Eleanor, the truth is... the Griffin family's chosen bride for the alliance was always... you." Patricia bowed her head in shame, unable to meet Eleanor's eyes.
"What are you talking about? You tricked me? Was this whole thing just a scheme to get me back to the country?" Eleanor was shocked, her chopsticks clattering onto the table. "And where is Cecilia then?" She pointed in the direction of Cecilia's room.
"This matter... we have wronged you," Harold admitted, his voice filled with frustration. "Initially, we did intend for your sister to take your place. But just two days ago, Cecilia... she ran away." His gaze then hardened as he looked at Eleanor. "The Griffin family asked for you from the start. So now, consider this things accidentally falling back into their intended order."
"And I should thank you for that?" Eleanor's face was pale, her expression grim. A small, foolish part of her had hoped that, blood being blood, they might have some slight consideration for her, their other daughter. But she never imagined... she meant so little to them.
"Because I hold something you want," Harold stated calmly, watching the shock register on Eleanor's face.
"That old iron box your grandmother left behind... it's still in my possession." Harold looked at her challengingly.
Eleanor was speechless. Her eyes fixed on the box in Harold's hand. Finally, she sat back down. "I'll marry him. But the box is mine."
Harold felt a strange mix of emotions looking at Eleanor. She was truly her grandparents' granddaughter; that fierce determination in her eyes was exactly like his late father's. Gazing at her face, his voice trembled slightly. "You'll get the box on your wedding day."
Eleanor glared at her parents with pure venom. "Fine," she spat out coldly. With that, she stood and walked upstairs to her room.
Eleanor picked up her phone and contacted Skyler.
[Sky, I don't think I can come back anytime soon.] After sending the message, Eleanor collapsed onto the bed. She could never have imagined that Harold would force her to marry Lucien Griffin. Closing her eyes, she muttered to herself, "This is insane. The whole world has gone mad."
In Summer City, Skyler saw the message and immediately called. "What happened?"
Eleanor wearily explained everything that had just transpired.
"He's insane! No, this is unacceptable. Elle, I'll send Liam to get you. You need to get out of there now," Skyler exploded.
"Sky, my grandmother's iron box is still there. It's all I have left of her," Eleanor said quietly. When she had left all those years ago, she hadn't thought it through. Grieving and desperate to escape the house of sorrow, she had simply left a letter and never looked back. No one expected she'd be gone for seven years.
Skyler was stunned. No one could have predicted Harold would use the box as leverage.
"What do we do now?" Skyler asked quietly.
Eleanor was equally bewildered. She had just come back for a wedding, and now she was the bride. "We play it by ear. Leaving the Capital isn't an option now. Lunaissance is in your hands. I'll send you design drafts regularly. Forget about the Fashion Week show for now."
"Okay... but you have to be careful. Oh, and by the way, Luke is in the Capital," Skyler mentioned.
"What's he doing here? The Capital is a mess right now. He needs to leave," Eleanor said, rubbing her forehead.
"Someone here needs his... services. He said the most dangerous place is the safest, so he came. You know how he is once his mind is set," Skyler said, a note of helplessness in her tone.
Eleanor sighed, knowing it was futile. After a few more words with Skyler, she hung up.
A message popped up from a contact named "LUO." [Elle-bear, I'm in the Capital! Come out and play!]
[Where?] Eleanor replied, actually wanting to talk to him.
[Whoa! You're serious?] The reply came instantly, filled with surprise. [I'll send you the address.]
Eleanor was used to his dramatics.
A moment later, the address arrived. It was for "Byte Cafe," only 7 kilometers from the Sullivan residence. Eleanor simply replied, "Okay."
On the other end, Luke was practically bouncing with excitement, settling back into his chair to patiently await Eleanor's arrival.
As Eleanor stepped out of her room, she ran into Patricia. Seeing that her mother was about to speak, Eleanor walked straight past her without a second glance. She politely nodded to Nanny Wilkins. "I won't be home for dinner," she stated before walking out of the Sullivan house.
Bifate Mall.
Ethan Shaw happened to be getting out of a car when he saw Eleanor, dressed in a black leather jacket and pants, heading towards a nearby cafe. This girl really has a versatile style, he mused internally.
Lucien, standing beside him, noticed Ethan's distraction and turned to follow his gaze, instantly spotting Eleanor in the crowd. The girl looked different today, a certain edge to her. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Lucien's lips.
A woman suddenly emerged from the mall, breaking their concentration.
"What are you two looking at so intently?" Cordelia Griffin asked, hurrying over, her tone brisk. She followed their line of sight, which landed squarely on the girl with the icy aura, who, she had to admit, seemed a fitting match for her brother's cold demeanor. But then Cordelia snapped back to reality. "Ethan is one thing, but you, Lucien, have a fiancée! You can't be staring at other women like that," she chided, looking at her younger brother with concern. She knew Lucien had always chafed under control and dreamed of living life on his own terms. But in the power-obsessed Capital, as the direct heir of the Griffin family, how could he ever marry for love? Her heart ached for him.
Lucien looked at his sister with utter exasperation, sometimes wondering what went on in her head.
"Alright, alright, Cordelia, let's go inside," Ethan interjected quickly, seeing the situation deteriorating. "By the way, why did you want to meet at the mall today?"
"It was Grandfather's direct order," Cordelia explained, glancing back at Lucien's tall, rigid frame. "He told me to take Lucien to look at engagement rings. We don't know what his future bride's taste is, but Master Fabian just released a new collection. I thought we could take a look, see if Lucien likes any of them."
Lucien stopped walking, watching the familiar way his sister and Ethan interacted. Anyone would think Ethan was her real brother.
Byte Cafe.
Luke had refilled his coffee cup again and again. It was almost 1 PM, and there was still no sign of Eleanor.
Ding-a-ling! The bell above the cafe door chimed.
Luke looked towards the entrance and saw Eleanor walking towards him.
"Elle-bear! You're finally here! I've been waiting forever," Luke said, slipping into his habitual whine.