Chapter 197: Taking a Jab at Me

Given Alexander's consistently honest and upright image—unlike someone who would deceive others—Eleanor's self-doubt was natural. After all, the events in question transpired six or seven years prior. Who could remember the details?

Furthermore, Alexander had previously debunked rumors and clarified the situation, leaving Eleanor and Laly repeatedly embarrassed. Therefore, even with this shocking new revelation, everyone immediately believed Alexander, turning astonished gazes toward Eleanor.

"What does that mean?" Roland reacted first. "Are you suggesting the illness was faked?"

Alexander calmly observed Eleanor. Panicked, Eleanor was at her wit's end. She wanted to shake her head, but the overwhelming noise made it hard to breathe.

"It was fake?" someone asked.

"Indeed," another said. "I hadn't heard about her illness. Even if it were kept secret, there would have been some news, wouldn't there?"

"I only knew she went abroad to continue her studies," a third person offered. "The Smith family's business relocated with her, focusing on the international market since then."

"That's what I heard too."

"My goodness, I never expected the school belle to be so dramatic! Breaking up due to a serious illness and then going abroad—it's like a soap opera plot!"

"Unfortunately for her, Alexander refuses to play along."

"Then why did she break up and go abroad, acting as if she had no choice?"

"I have a hunch. Now that this lie is exposed, the truth might soon surface."

The onlookers, eagerly awaiting the grand finale, focused intently on the table. Isabella hadn't expected to need an appearance; Alexander dominated the scene. Hearing his words, she was stunned.

So he knows the truth! she thought. I wondered why he didn't react before. He expected me to play along and pretend I didn't know.

Alexander admitted he'd initially planned to ignore it. There was no evidence, and her illness (real or imagined) was none of his concern. She could fabricate any story she liked. But he hadn't expected Eleanor to try manipulating him with a serious illness, attempting to morally bind him. This was a classic case of reaping what one sows.

"What on earth is going on? Eleanor, are you deceiving us?" Ines blurted out. Innocent and genuinely worried, she felt guilty for not contacting Eleanor after their communication ceased. Hearing the possibility of deceit, Ines was genuinely angry.

Deborah, uninvolved in the initial discussion, expressed her annoyance: "Eleanor, how could you fabricate such a serious matter?"

Audrey's brows furrowed with concern. While agreeing with Alexander, she voiced doubts: "Eleanor, could there be a misunderstanding? Lily mentioned you were staying at a nursing home, right?"

Lily, heartbroken by the couple's apparent breakup, gritted her teeth. It felt like betraying her fandom. She grabbed Eleanor's arm, demanding, "You were really sick, right? You left because you loved Alexander too much and couldn't bear to let him see you suffer, right? You're cured now, and that's why you came back, isn't it?" She clung to the hope of reconciliation, allowing her to remain close to them.

Eleanor knew she couldn't admit to lying about her illness. Previous false rumors could be dismissed as misguided affection, but lying about sickness would ruin her reputation.

"Of course it's true!" Eleanor declared, quickly resuming her emotional performance, her gaze filled with despair. "How could I make up being sick? If I weren't ill, why would I have broken up with Alexander? I don't recall any school medical check-up, but my family's health examination revealed the issue. I had confirmatory tests, numerous leaves of absence, and a consistently low mood. Anyone who remembers should know this. Perhaps… perhaps there was a mistake during the school's medical check-up." Her voice grew more confident. "And I did spend years in a nursing home. That's verifiable, though patient confidentiality prevents public disclosure."

Lily, relieved, turned to Alexander: "Alexander, you heard her! I knew you misunderstood, thinking she was lying. That's why you treated her this way. If you don't believe it, check if she stayed in a nursing home!" Lily was certain; she had studied abroad in the same country.

This rebuttal shook everyone's confidence. Could it have been a misunderstanding? Had Alexander misunderstood, leading to his harsh treatment of Eleanor? Was the situation unexpectedly turning around? Eleanor's resilience was impressive.

Alexander furrowed his brows. He hadn't expected Eleanor's shameless persistence. While he could expose her lies again, the process was tedious and impossible that night. His only option was to force a medical examination. The nursing home was highly private, catering to aristocrats. He had no way to easily investigate Eleanor's time there—she was nearly engaged in a marriage alliance and cared for an elderly patient to win their favor, explaining her extended stay. This alliance was kept secret, so only her nursing home stay was known. A normal person wouldn't stay in a nursing home without reason, so people naturally assumed illness.

Eleanor was clever, but she misused her intelligence. Her actions were almost flawless, except for her encounter with Isabella, which led to her predicament.

Isabella felt a pang of disappointment, as if watching a poorly written drama. Everyone was filled with doubt.

Seeing Alexander's silence, Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps a missed medical check-up had led to his suspicions. Still harboring illusions, she looked at him pitifully: "Regardless of anything else, I broke up with you because I loved you… I'm not the type to use love as an excuse, binding someone regardless of their feelings…"

Everyone's expressions subtly shifted.

Oh, so you're taking a jab at me now? Alexander thought. Confident you've won, ready to strike back? Believe me, I can get you a hospital check-up instantly!

Before Eleanor could play the victim, Alexander's icy gaze stopped her. He pulled out his phone and called his assistant: "Contact Grace Nursing Home in Astoria."