Chapter 2
No one expected Eleanor to be so brazen after all these years in prison. Not only did she refuse to apologize to the victim, but she slapped Alexis right in the face a moment later.
The relatives began to murmur angrily and shake their heads. A man said, loudly and with a sneer, “A murderer, coming from prison, and she still acts like this? That’s typical Eleanor—obdurate beyond belief. After three years, I think she still thinks she’s a high and mighty princess.”
Another middle-aged woman added, “Back then, she had Mr. Vanderbilt to protect her. But now? Alexis is the one engaged to him. Just wait; Mr. Vanderbilt will make her pay for this.”
Another woman pointed at Eleanor and scolded, “Eleanor, this is too much. You caused Alexis to lose her legs three years ago, and now you’re still picking on her? Do you really think you can get away with anything?”
Gregory was furious. He stepped forward to slap Eleanor, but she dodged with skillful grace, avoiding the blow. Beatrice scanned the room with cold eyes, finally landing on Alexis, who acted like a helpless, fragile victim.
Eleanor scoffed, “Alexis, stop playing the innocent. Since I made it out of prison alive, believe me, I’m far from harmless.”
Alexis, feigning shock, blinked at Dominick with teary eyes and collapsed into his arms. “I can’t believe Eleanor hates me so much,” she whispered. Gregory, flushed with anger, felt humiliated by Eleanor’s defiance.
Meanwhile, Dominick sat impassively on the sofa, watching the unfolding drama. When Alexis spoke, his eyes shifted to Eleanor. His voice was low and smooth, yet undeniably commanding: “Apologize to Alexis.”
Eleanor recoiled at Dominick’s order. She looked at Dominick, her ally since childhood, yet he was defending Alexis, that deceitful witch. Eleanor’s eyes blazed with anger and disbelief. “What did you just say, Dominick?”
Dominick didn’t repeat himself. His command was final, the coldness unmistakable. The room fell silent. Dominick’s right-hand men moved forward, grabbed Eleanor’s arms, and pinned her down, forcing her to bow to Alexis.
Struggling, Eleanor held her head high. Her red eyes burned with a mixture of sorrow and frustration as she met Dominick’s gaze. She shouted, her voice raw with emotion, “Why? Why don’t you believe me? I didn’t do any of those things. Why won’t you trust me?”
Even after Dominick sent her to prison, she couldn't believe the man who had sworn to love her forever would stand against her, distrusting her so completely. Over the past three years, she had questioned it countless times, but found no answer.
Her desperate plea stunned everyone. In Avaris, no one dared to call Dominick by his name and challenge him like this.
Dominick rose and walked in front of Eleanor. He towered over her, his presence an unyielding mountain, his gaze a deep, unreadable abyss. “Three years. You still haven’t learned your lesson,” he said, his voice low but authoritative.
Touching Eleanor’s cheek, Alexis spoke softly, “Forget it, Nick. If Eleanor doesn’t want to apologize, don’t force her. I’m older; I should be more lenient.” Her voice was gentle, like a saint offering forgiveness, but Eleanor felt disgust rising in her throat.
“Stay here and reflect until you’re ready to apologize,” Dominick said coldly. Eleanor struggled, but his men held her firm. She couldn’t move an inch.
Seizing the moment, Gregory stormed to Eleanor and slapped her. “Ungrateful brat! After everything, you’re still acting like this? If it weren’t for Mr. Vanderbilt, I would have kicked you out myself.” He slapped her hard, making her dizzy. Her cheek swelled, the sting searing.
Eleanor smirked, blood dripping from her split lip. “You’re right. I’m a snake, and you’re no better.” Her eyes shifted to Dominick; a bitter laugh escaped her lips. She should have seen it coming. Three years ago, she lost everything. Now, she was here again, clinging to a last shred of longing for Dominick. The naive girl who once thought the world was hers was gone. She returned only to reclaim what was hers.
“You’ve lost your mind!” Gregory hissed, slapping her again. His anger was palpable. “I should have killed you when you were born. I never thought I’d be cursed by my own daughter.”
Eleanor stared back at Gregory, wiping the blood from her lips, her gaze full of contempt. Prison had taken its toll; she was thinner, rougher. The whispers of disgust from the room didn’t matter. Dominick said she hadn’t learned her lesson. Exactly; she would never bow her head. He wanted her to apologize to Alexis; that would never happen.
“Nick,” Alexis sighed softly, her voice smooth as silk. “I don’t want to push Eleanor too hard. How about a small punishment? Have her stay here tonight to reflect. That should count as an apology, right? Don’t force her.”
Gregory interjected, “Alexis, don’t be too kind to the witch. She ruined your life, and you want to let her off easy? You don’t want to force her, but she has zero remorse and even holds a grudge against you for putting her in prison.” He turned to Alexis, his eyes filled with rage and protectiveness. To outsiders, it seemed obvious that Gregory was Alexis’s father.
The others nodded, feeling sorry for Alexis, a beautiful girl reduced to someone barely able to move. They praised Alexis’s generosity and kindness, while their gazes toward Eleanor held only disgust.
Dominick furrowed his brow. “Up to you.” With that, he turned and left the room, the tension easing slightly.
Gregory glared at Eleanor. “Just stay here and reflect. When Alexis decides to forgive you, you can leave. And don’t you dare try to run away.” With Dominick’s men still present, Gregory didn’t dare touch her again.
Alexis smiled softly and wheeled herself to Eleanor. She looked at the men holding Eleanor and said, “I just want to talk to Eleanor for a second. Can you…”
The men stepped back slightly, though maintaining a firm grip. Eleanor’s gaze was filled with cold fury, but Alexis, unfazed, leaned closer and whispered, “I’ll be engaged to Dominick soon. Eleanor, you’re still as stupid as ever. You’ll never win against me.”