Chapter 2

Eleanor's POV

The air in the living room seemed to freeze instantly.

Tobias's hand paused mid-motion as he was unfastening his cufflinks.

He looked up, his gaze cutting across my face like a blade.

"Eleanor, do you think this little trick will get you what you want?"

Tobias walked to the sofa and sat down, crossing his long legs, his posture still arrogantly superior.

"If you're upset because Vivian's back in the country, fine, throw your tantrum. But know your limits. Don't make me think you're being unreasonable."

Hearing these matter-of-fact words made my stomach churn.

"You think I'm throwing a tantrum?"

I laughed coldly, my fingers gripping the suitcase handle tightly.

"Tobias, I genuinely feel disgusted."

"You pushed me out front to take the hits for Vivian. You made me drink until I had a bleeding ulcer at business dinners to close deals, while behind my back you and your buddies discuss me like I'm some kind of joke."

I looked at that flawless, refined face of his, speaking rapidly.

"I'm disgusted, Tobias. These five years. I must have been blind."

Tobias's expression finally darkened.

He stood up and approached me step by step, his tall frame radiating intense pressure.

"You went to the club?"

His brow furrowed, his eyes sinister.

"What, afraid I'd hear about your dirty little schemes?"

I met his gaze.

"Tobias, I don't owe you anything. The projects I closed for you, the money I made. It's more than enough to repay whatever favors you've done for me these past few years."

"Favors?"

Tobias looked like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed my chin, his grip so hard it felt like he might crush my bones.

"Eleanor, did a few compliments in the investment banking circle make you actually think you're something special?"

I frowned in pain but refused to make a sound.

"Don't forget. Your stepfather is still lying in my hospital!"

Tobias's voice was ice-cold and piercing.

"Without Reed's experimental drugs, without me pulling strings to secure that overseas specialist's schedule, he won't make it past next month! What gives you the right to talk about breaking up? His life?"

Those words silenced me instantly.

My lips trembled slightly.

I clenched my teeth, my heart churning with barely concealed despair and hatred.

Yes, how could I leave?

My father's life was in his hands. I was like a bird with clipped wings. I didn't even have the freedom to fall.

Tobias released his grip, his fingertips lightly brushing across my chin as his tone returned to its usual composure.

"Put away that pathetic pride of yours."

Tobias looked down at me condescendingly.

"You're a smart woman. You should know what choice to make. Tomorrow's final meeting for the Stellar Acquisition. You'll attend as planned. Do well, and I'll arrange your father's medication and specialist consultations for the second half of the year."

"Tobias, you're absolutely insane."

I said.

"Call me whatever you like."

Tobias turned toward the bathroom.

"Put that suitcase away. I won't say it twice."

As the bathroom door slammed shut, I collapsed onto my suitcase.

I covered my face with my hands as tears broke free, silently hitting the floor through my fingers.

I couldn't fall apart.

For my father's sake, I had to endure.

But from this moment on, the Eleanor who loved Tobias for five years was dead.

The next morning.

I applied bold red lipstick, did my best to hide my pallor, and walked into the top-floor conference room of Reed Corporation wearing a perfectly tailored black business suit.

I was the Deputy Director of Reed's Investment Department and the absolute core of the Stellar Acquisition.

I'd worked on this project for three solid months, pulling countless all-nighters to figure out the other party's bottom line.

Once I closed this deal, it would be the crown jewel of my resume, and the bonus alone would cover my father's medical expenses for the rest of the year.

The conference room was already full.

Tobias sat at the head of the table, expressionlessly flipping through documents.

I walked straight toward my seat. Just as I was about to sit down, I noticed someone was already sitting there. A woman in a white suit with a pure, delicate appearance.

Vivian Sullivan.

Seeing me, Vivian stood up with an innocent, harmless smile on her face.

"Eleanor, you're here. Tobias said you've been too exhausted lately, so he asked me to take over the final stages of the Stellar Acquisition. You don't mind, do you?"