The driver, Eleanor's personal chauffeur, respectfully opened the door. "Ma'am, Mrs. James kne

in the James family who had ever shown her genuine kindness, a potential

The James mansion stood like a fortress amidst perfectly manicure

gant posture, was waiting at the entrance. The moment she sa

aid, her eyes welling up. "You're home

smissive air. It was Patricia James, Carter's aunt, a woman who had mar

Eleanor, you're too kind. The James family name isn't something that just anyone

the warm atmosphere. The nearby maids

er face remained a mask of

rp. "Eloise is Carter's wife. She is t

erer'?" Patricia sneered, doubling down. "Who knows what kind of people

r's embrace. She took a step forward,

arrying across the silent room. "The James family is a respect

had expected tears, excuses, or anger

er, thank you for your kindness. But I can't stay. I do

ate. She had positioned herself on the moral high ground,

illed with a mixture of pain and adm

I'm safe," Eloise continued. "I'll find

e more, turned, and walked toward t

a pillow, only to be thrown off balance by the lack of resistance. She wa

into the Rolls-Royce. "Please take me back

her a small, elegant envelope. "Mrs. Jam

tten note: "Child, I'm so sorry. Take this. The pi

e, but she didn't reply. She tucked the

the confrontation. It was a small victory, but it confirm

re thing before finding a p

mother had left her, though it had been registered under both their names. Carter would surely monitor it so

r. "Get Carter on the phone," she ordered, her voice

earby, realizing she had

he had kept in her bag to send an anony

e agreement. As

ing lights of New York were just a blu