Chapter 280

Her wrist, which had been healing, was now smeared with fresh blood, crimson stains spattering the floor.
The moment Mrs. Quinn saw Daniel, relief washed over her as if she’d finally found an anchor in the storm.
“Dan, please, talk to Eleanor for me. I can’t lose her. I just can’t.”
Daniel stepped closer.
Eleanor’s face was ghostly pale, her eyes swollen and raw, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks.
With a twisted, fragile smile, she managed, “I’m sorry. I’ve embarrassed you again.”
She looked utterly broken, as if every last trace of light had been snuffed out.
“You gave me so many chances, and all I did was disappoint you. I couldn’t even manage a simple engagement. I’m useless. I’ve let you down.”
Clutching the medical needle in her hand, Eleanor pressed it hard against the artery in her wrist.
But before she could do more than break the skin, Daniel seized her arm in a firm grip. His voice was sharper than steel. “Have you had enough?”
For a few tense seconds, neither moved.
Finally, Eleanor’s grip loosened, her sobs turning small and pitiful.
Mrs. Quinn lunged forward, wrapping her daughter in a desperate embrace. “Eleanor, Eleanor, please, it’s over, it’s over.” Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
“I’m worthless, Mom.” Eleanor broke down completely, her misery pouring out. Lately, everything had been falling apart.
Mrs. Quinn wiped away her own tears, glancing up at Daniel. “Dan, for old times’ sake-please. Help Eleanor. Let her be with Hans. She loves him.”
In the end, it all came down to the engagement.
This time, David had every reason to break it off-after Eleanor’s outburst with Mr. Frost and that scandal with the man who stripped her clothes, he was more than ready to call it quits. He was even willing to offer extra concessions just to get out of the marriage.
It was obvious how little he thought of Eleanor now.
If she wanted to marry Hans, it would have to be Daniel pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Daniel’s brow furrowed, his gaze on Eleanor laced with both pity and disappointment.
“Is it really Hans or nothing for you?”
It was clear Hans didn’t love Eleanor. Any marriage forced like this would only bring pain.
Eleanor’s crying slowed.
Daniel’s voice softened, trying to reason with her. “There are plenty of good men in Fairvale. If you want, I can introduce you. With me looking out for you, no one would dare mistreat you.”
Unlike the Cooper family, the Chambers family was almost an even match for their own—if Eleanor married into them and things went wrong, Daniel couldn’t guarantee her protection.
Eleanor clung to her mother, tears still streaming, but her mind was elsewhere- haunted by images of Hans and Nora together. The way Hans stroked Nora’s hair, carried her bags…
Once again, Nora had stolen the man who should have been hers.
She couldn’t accept it.
She lifted her face, voice trembling with helplessness and bitterness. “I know you’d give me the very best, Daniel. But… I just love him, I can’t help it
She hung her head in shame, falling silent, but couldn’t keep herself from glancing up to catch Daniel’s reaction.
Once, she’d been certain Daniel would always take her side.
Now, that confidence was long gone.
All she could do was resort to desperate measures-hoping to stir up Daniel’s guilt over what happened in the past.
She would never let Nora trample over her. Beating Nora had become her only obsession.
Daniel’s face betrayed nothing. He said nothing at all.
Eleanor’s heart twisted in anxiety; she tugged at Mrs. Quinn’s sleeve in secret.
Mrs. Quinn blinked, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Eleanor. Dan promised to protect you for life-he won’t turn his back on you. Seeing you like this is killing me, sweetheart.”
“I know, Mom. I’m sorry. I’ve let you both down.”