Chapter 20

Eleanor curled her toes anxiously as she hastily looked around. Fortunately, no one was paying attention to her and Sebastian. She bit her lip and growled, “You’re shameless!”

Sebastian’s mood lifted when he saw her reaction. He leaned back, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he said, “Maurice had surgery for his leg last night, and Brenda was watching over him at the hospital the whole night. She wouldn’t have had the time and energy to spare to do this. That’s why I don’t think she’s behind this.”

Eleanor calmed her racing heart while arguing, “Her being at the hospital with Maurice wouldn’t have stopped her from sending someone to cause trouble. They’re not mutually exclusive matters!”

Sebastian looked at her. “I can help you find out who was behind it.”

“Fine, then.” She would give him the opportunity to help his “ex-wife” rid herself of the blame since he was so desperate for it.

He sent someone a message. Eleanor thought it would take a few days to get an outcome. To her surprise, he received a call right after she finished her cake. He answered it and listened to the person on the other end of the line for a few minutes.

After hanging up, he said, “I have your culprit.”

Eleanor was stunned. Even she would’ve taken at least a day to get an answer, but he’d only used half an hour… Did he have better connections than her?

Sebastian placed his phone on the table and pushed it to her. “Do you know this woman?”

She looked down at it. “Nope. Who is she?”

“Mallory Trenton of the Jorstone City Trentons. Her family owns a consumer goods company; you guys went to high school together.”

Eleanor had to think hard before she remembered Mallory. “Oh, I remember now. Yes, that’s her.”

Sebastian said pointedly, “You have a terrible memory.”

This was his second time saying that, but Eleanor didn’t think she was to blame this time. Her memories were already three years in advance, which meant she hadn’t seen any of these fake friends in three years. How could she remember them?

“Was she the one behind what happened online?”

Sebastian nodded. “The paparazzi who first spread those rumors about us received the scoop from her, and she paid to have the matter reach the list of trending topics. She also hired online trolls to influence public opinion.”

So, that was what had happened. Eleanor curled her lip. “I suppose I have to thank her for going to such lengths.”

She didn’t remember whether there was any bad blood between herself and Mallory, but plenty of heiresses in Jorstone City’s upper crust didn’t like her. Mallory was probably one of them. Sebastian leaned back, looking leisurely. “I have another piece of news for you.”

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. He said, “It’s her birthday today, and the celebration is being held at Dalvey Estate.”

Eleanor narrowed her eyes. Mallory had left her to simmer on the trending topics for so long—how could she not hold a grudge and want to settle the score? She wasn’t a saint.

A birthday celebration, huh? Since Mallory was so excited to celebrate the big day, Eleanor would make it unforgettable.

Eleanor stretched her foot to Sebastian’s side again and pinched his pant leg with her toes. Then, she tugged on it. “Darling, shouldn’t we return the favor when she’s given us such a wonderful wedding gift? Let’s celebrate Ms. Trenton’s birthday with her tonight.”

He looked at her. It was clear she was up to something nasty—her intention oozed from her eyes, and she looked like a sly fox.

It was exactly what he loved.

He chuckled. “Sure.”