Chapter 12
Eleanor lay on her bed, tossing and turning. The sting on her face had dulled to an ache, but it was enough to keep her awake. Suddenly, the door flew open with a loud bang.
Gregory stood in the doorway, pointing a trembling finger at Eleanor, his face red with fury. “You little monster! Alexis has already been through so much, and you still had the nerve to slap her? Do you have even a shred of humanity?”
Eleanor didn’t look surprised by his dramatic entrance. She sat up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, so she ran to tattle on me! I knew it.”
“Shut up!” Gregory roared. “She has every right to tell me! How dare you slap her so hard?”
“If you think she was right, then sure, she was,” Eleanor said flatly, turning away. Her indifference only fueled Gregory’s anger. His hand shot out, slapping her hard, then again on the other cheek.
Eleanor was too slow to dodge, but her tongue remained sharp. “Wow, you’re defending Alexis fiercely. Anyone watching would think she’s your real daughter.”
“You—” Gregory froze. Eleanor’s words struck a nerve, though the dim light concealed any flicker of guilt.
Eleanor shoved him away. “Get out. I don’t need a deadbeat freeloader jumping around like a clown.”
Every word was a knife to Gregory’s pride. His temper flared, and he slapped her again, harder this time. Pointing a shaking finger, he shouted, “Listen, Jennifer has found a man for you. In three days, you’ll be married off! The Reed family doesn’t need an ungrateful wretch like you!”
He stormed out, slamming the door. Eleanor sat stunned, muttering, “Three days! Jennifer really picked someone for me to marry?” Her fists clenched, and she bit her lip. I can’t marry that person. No way will I let the Reed family dictate my life. I must stop this and tell Dominick. Even if he hates me now, even if our relationship is over, I don’t believe he will stand by and let me be forced into a marriage.
In the living room, Gregory stomped back in, seething. Jennifer noticed his livid face and rushed to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
“That wretched girl really pissed me off!” Gregory spat, his voice trembling. He collapsed onto the couch, breathing heavily.
Jennifer frowned. “I’ve told you before, don’t call Ellie that. She’s a girl. If you keep treating her this way, how will she ever fit into her future husband’s family?”
“You think I’ve been too mean? But she…” Gregory barked, then paused. “Wait… husband? You’ve already…”
Jennifer smiled. “Yeah, I was planning to take my time, but after what Ellie’s done… if she insists on causing trouble, I don’t have a choice. Getting her married quickly is the best solution. Maybe once she’s married, she’ll let go of this obsession with Dominick and stop embarrassing us.”
Alexis chimed in, “Exactly. I don’t mind Eleanor interfering with Dominick. I can forgive her. But what if she annoys Dominick? The whole Reed family could suffer.”
Gregory’s worry was evident. They couldn’t afford to offend Dominick. “So, this match… is it settled?” Jennifer nodded. She had carefully chosen a man for Eleanor—a drunkard, gambler, brawler, and womanizer—the worst of the worst.
“Perfect,” Gregory said, his mood brightening. “Get Eleanor married to him as soon as possible. Have him take her far away. That way, she’ll never cause trouble for Dominick again.”
Jennifer pouted playfully. “Oh, honey, why the rush? Don’t you want to meet him first?”
“Why bother?” Gregory snorted. “As long as he’s a man and breathing, that’s good enough. Do you think Eleanor, a convict, deserves anything better?”
“She certainly doesn’t,” a deep voice interrupted.
Gregory spun around, startled. Dominick stood there, his presence making the room feel colder.
“Oh, M—Mr. Vanderbilt,” Gregory stammered, bowing. He knew his place.
Jennifer hurried forward, smiling ingratiatingly. “Oh, what a surprise! We were discussing Eleanor’s marriage. Perhaps you…”
Dominick’s icy gaze silenced her. Her breath caught, and her words died in her throat.
Without a word, Dominick sat on the grandest sofa, his every movement exuding power. He leaned back, his cold eyes on Jennifer and Gregory.
“Eleanor’s marriage,” he said slowly, his voice low and cutting, “you’ve already decided on it?”
Jennifer and Gregory exchanged nervous glances. What’s wrong? Did we misread him? Did he not want Eleanor to marry? It could make sense. Even if Eleanor had fallen out of favor, she’d been Dominick’s woman.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, we were—” Jennifer tried to explain.
Dominick raised a hand. His voice turned colder. “No matter who you’ve chosen, she doesn’t deserve a man like that.”
Jennifer and Gregory stared, lost in thought.
“I have someone in mind,” Dominick continued, his tone sharp. “Someone more fitting for someone like Eleanor.”
Gregory felt relieved. So Dominick isn’t against Eleanor getting married—he simply wants to handpick her husband himself.
“Mr. Reed, do you agree to let Eleanor marry the man I’ve chosen?”
Gregory nodded frantically. “Yes, of course. That’s her pleasure.”
“Good.” Dominick’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Then go inform Eleanor of the arrangement.”
Alexis, who had been quiet, spoke. “Wait, Nick.”
Dominick turned. “Yes?”
Alexis hesitated, then said softly, “I think… Eleanor still has feelings for you. Maybe, if you tell her about the marriage yourself, it might help her let go. Don’t you think?”