Chapter 40
Eleanor froze, caught off guard.
The private dining room was filled with seven or eight people, men and women alike. At the head of the table lounged lan, looking effortlessly elegant in a tailored suit. Beside him sat Vanessa, stunning in a deep red cocktail dress. Under the soft lights, the two looked for all the world like the perfect couple.
This wasn’t some cozy family dinner with the Goodwins-it was one of lan’s carefully curated social gatherings.
Eleanor understood immediately, her eyes flashing with accusation. “Serena, care to explain what’s really going on p>
Serena hesitated, guilty. She’d invited Eleanor on a whim, hoping to toy with her, but now, caught in Eleanor’s stern gaze, she couldn’t find a way out. Flustered, she tried to save face. “Come on, Eleanor. I was just being nice, inviting you out for a meal. No need to get so worked up p>
Vanessa seized the moment, rising gracefully from her seat and crossing the room with a polished smile. “Eleanor, since you’re here, why not join us? And look -lan’s here too p>
Eleanor shot Vanessa a cold glance. She had no doubt Vanessa was in on Serena’s little prank tonight.
Without a word, Eleanor turned to leave.
Vanessa reached out and caught her arm. “Wait, Eleanor. Stay and keep lan company, will you? I actually have something I need to take care of p>
Eleanor turned, looking directly at lan. He sat there, his expression unreadable.
She had no intention of wasting another minute here. Shaking off Vanessa’s grip, Eleanor strode for the door.
Vanessa’s eyes flicked over to the pool outside. With a sly smile, she hurried after Eleanor. “Eleanor, you’ve got it all wrong. There’s nothing going on between lan and me. We’re just friends, honestly p>
But before Eleanor could react, Vanessa grabbed her arm again. Eleanor’s eyes narrowed, but before she could pull away, Vanessa’s smile widened—and with a sudden tug, dragged Eleanor straight toward the pool.
With a splash, both women plunged into the deep, chilly water.
Serena, lingering by the door in frustration, spun around at the sound. She saw two figures thrashing in the pool, panic rising in her voice. “Oh my God! Vanessa!” she shrieked, running back inside the dining room. “lan! Vanessa fell in! Come quickly p>
lan shot to his feet, and the rest of the group rushed out after him. When he reached the poolside, he realized it wasn’t just Vanessa struggling in the water- but Eleanor as well.
Without hesitation, lan stripped off his jacket and dove into the pool with athletic precision. Everyone assumed he’d swim straight for his wife-Eleanor-but instead, he made for Vanessa.
“Look! Over there-she’s going under!” someone shouted. Eleanor was slipping beneath the surface, only a trail of bubbles marking where she’d been.
In that split second, another figure dove in, arms cutting urgently through the water toward Eleanor.
Eleanor’s greatest regret had always been never learning to swim. Now, no matter how desperately she flailed, her body only sank deeper. Water filled her lungs, panic clawing at her chest as icy pressure squeezed every part of her.
Just as her strength began to fail, a strong arm closed around her waist, hauling her upward. Breaking the surface, she gasped desperately for air, blinking away water just in time to see a handsome profile-Xavier.
It wasn’t lan who had saved her. It was Xavier.
He kept a firm grip on her, steering her toward the edge of the pool. Through stinging eyes, Eleanor caught a glimpse of lan pushing Vanessa to safety, then turning to glance back at her before climbing out and kneeling to check on Vanessa’s condition.
Two other men hauled Eleanor from the water. She collapsed to her knees, coughing up what felt like half the pool, chest heaving. A gentle voice broke through her daze. “Are you alright p>
Eleanor looked up to find Xavier watching her, concern in his eyes.
“Thank you. I’m fine,” she managed between breaths, her gratitude sincere.
Across the crowd, Serena stared at the scene, jealousy burning in her gaze. She couldn’t believe that after lan had jumped in after Vanessa, Xavier had leapt in to save Eleanor.
Two hotel staff hurried over. “Ma’am, sir, we’ll bring you fresh clothes right away. Please come with us p>
Another staff member turned to lan. “Sir, please, you and your wife can follow us to get changed p>
Vanessa, hearing the word “wife,” flashed a triumphant smile. As she stood, she feigned a slip, prompting lan to catch her in his arms.
Her little gasp made Eleanor turn. Watching the couple clinging to each other, Eleanor felt her heart grow even colder.
In that moment, being lan’s wife felt like nothing but a cruel joke.
In the lounge, Eleanor changed quickly into dry clothes provided by the staff, then used the blow-dryer on her soaked hair. When she emerged, both Xavier and lan were seated on the couch, waiting.
Suddenly, Serena burst in, face flushed with anger. “Eleanor, why did you push Vanessa into the pool? How could you be so vicious p>
Eleanor calmly brushed the damp hair from her forehead. “And which eye of yours saw me push her p>
“You-” Serena sputtered, not expecting Eleanor to snap back.
Just then, a gentle, composed voice broke in. “Serena, don’t blame Eleanor. It
was just an accident. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I’m the one who accidentally pulled Eleanor into the pool p>