Chapter 171

“Faye, are you seriously planning to follow them?” Gwenda asked, eyes wide with surprise.

Faye bit her lip. “I want to see for myself if they’re really living together p>

Gwenda, always up for a bit of drama, was quick to agree. “Honestly, Faye, Eleanor’s private life is a mess, but she shouldn’t drag Joel into it! Someone needs to do something. Let’s go together p>

Faye was a competent driver, and she tailed Joel’s car all the way to the front of Eleanor’s parents’ townhouse. The street was old and narrow, lined with historical homes. Joel parked in front, and he and Eleanor got out, heading first to a nearby fruit shop, then stopping to pick up two coffees. After that, the two of them disappeared inside the townhouse.

“Oh my gosh! They really are living together!” Gwenda gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Buying fruit together, grabbing coffee-they’re definitely shacking up p>

A surge of jealousy burned in Faye’s eyes. Eleanor was shameless-married, yet openly playing house with a coworker?

“These old townhouses are perfect—private, discreet, so convenient. They sure know how to pick a spot,” Gwenda muttered, sneaking a glance at Faye’s face. She thought privately, Of all the men Eleanor could have gone after, why did it have to be Faye’s crush?

“Gwenda, you should probably head out. I’m staying-I want to catch them in the act,” Faye announced, determined.

“You’re really going to stay here?” Gwenda asked, startled.

Faye’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. “I need proof that Eleanor’s cheating. I want to watch her reputation go up in flames p>

The image of Eleanor and Joel laughing together outside the café had stung Faye more than she cared to admit. How could Eleanor be so brazen? She had a whole family, yet she still went after Joel?

“I’ve got nothing better to do. I’ll keep you company,” Gwenda said, happy to be part of the spectacle.

Inside the townhouse, Joslyn had prepared a hearty dinner. Joel was sitting with Evelyn, helping her with her drawing, when Eleanor came in with a bowl of fresh fruit. “Evelyn, pestering Mr. Kingsley with your art again p>

“Look! Mr. Kingsley drew this horse for me! Does it look like a real one?” Evelyn beamed, holding up her sketch.

“It does,” Eleanor praised.

After dinner, they all moved upstairs to the second-floor terrace. The townhouse was charmingly designed, and the terrace offered a picturesque view of the street below, with its twinkling lights and gentle bustle. The balcony, lined with flowering plants, was the ideal spot for coffee and conversation.

Eleanor and Joel took seats on the terrace, the perfect vantage point to watch Evelyn laughing and playing with Princess in the garden below. It was peaceful, relaxing. They could keep an eye on the child and still enjoy a quiet chat.

Across the street, Faye and Gwenda watched from their car. Seeing Joel and Eleanor so at ease together, their laughter floating out into the night, Faye could barely contain her rage. Joel gazed at Eleanor with such warmth-it was almost too much to bear.

“Unbelievable,” Gwenda muttered. “Does Eleanor have no shame at all p>

Just then, a petal from the balcony plants drifted down and landed in Joel’s hair. Eleanor laughed. “You’ve got something in your hair p>

Joel reached up, pretending not to find it. “Where? You’ll have to help me p>

Smiling, Eleanor leaned over and gently plucked the petal from his hair. But from the vantage point of Faye and Gwenda, it looked like Eleanor was running her fingers through Joel’s hair, the gesture far too intimate for mere colleagues.

“Oh my God, just look at that! If that’s not cheating, I don’t know what is,” Gwenda whispered.

Faye was already snapping photos with her phone, her lips curling into a cold smile. “Let’s see what everyone thinks of their golden girl now p>