Chapter 3
Dominick’s name resonated far beyond Avaris; it was known throughout the country. His background remained a mystery, but it was undeniable that seven years prior, he had seemingly materialized, seizing control of Avaris's economy with effortless ease. The Vanderbil Group, his empire, spanned multiple industries, his fortune reaching tens of billions. Naturally, he attracted many admirers.
Dominick himself was an enigma: cold, calculating, and ruthless in business. Anyone who crossed him faced dire consequences. Years ago, Eleanor had been the woman everyone envied, the one Dominick had treated like royalty, showering her with everything she desired. Anyone who dared upset her felt the full force of his wrath. But now, that same man was about to marry Alexis.
Eleanor watched from a corner as Gregory beamed at Dominick's arrival, completely ignoring the harsh words he'd just directed at her. The recent outburst felt unreal.
Dominick, standing nearly six and a half feet tall, commanded attention the moment he entered. He wore a simple black shirt, the neckline subtly revealing his chiseled collarbones. His posture was impeccable, his long legs drawing gasps from the younger women present. His cold, aloof gaze never wavered; his sharp, delicate features seemed sculpted from a Greek myth. He possessed an almost unattainable aura, surpassing even emperors of old.
“Morning, Nick,” Alexis greeted him, her usually poised demeanor betraying the tenderness and affection in her voice.
Eleanor's eyes, sparkling with unshed tears, remained glued to Dominick. They had met only yesterday, yet her heart ached at the sight of him, overwhelmed by a profound sadness. She knew, however, that the man before her was not the man who had once pampered her, making her feel like the center of his world. Her legs, aching from a long day of standing, screamed in protest. The old Dominick would never have allowed this.
Alexis, all smiles, looked up at him, her gaze fixed on him as if he were the sun. Playfully puffing out her cheeks, she teased, “You could have just waited outside.”
Dominick responded only with a silent gaze. His coldness, his lack of warmth and emotion, rendered him an unfathomable enigma.
“It’s still raining,” Alexis observed, “Your hair’s a bit damp.” She took a handkerchief and gently wiped his hair, unfazed by his aloofness. Though seated in a wheelchair, unable to reach his hair herself, Dominick bent to meet her, a silent yet unmistakable gesture of tender care.
Eleanor watched, stung by the scene. Her heart aching, she stumbled forward, locking eyes with him. “Dominick, I’m out of prison. Don’t you have anything to say to me?”
His expression remained unreadable, his deep eyes devoid of emotion. Most would have crumbled under his intense stare, but Eleanor remained unafraid. Grasping his arm with a pleading look, she asked, “Are you really going to marry Alexis? You promised me… I’d be the only woman in your life! Don’t you remember?”
Dominick shot her a cold look, easily shaking her off. His brow furrowed, and for the first time, disgust flashed across his features. “Don’t touch me. You’re disgusting.” The simple words cut deep, revealing the depth of his revulsion.
Eleanor's face paled. “Disgusting? I’m disgusting?”
Ignoring her, Dominick turned to Alexis. “Let’s go shopping.”
Chapter 5
Eleanor refused to let it go. Stepping into their path, a bitter smile playing on her lips, she challenged, “Dominick, why do you say I’m disgusting? Just because I’ve been to prison? But I swear I never hurt Alexis. This whole mess is her scheme!”
“Eleanor?” Alexis interjected, her voice dripping with feigned innocence. “I know how you feel about Dominick, but that’s all in the past. I’ve forgiven you for your mistakes. Why can’t you just let him go?” She then clutched Dominick’s sleeve, looking at Eleanor with affected pity. “Nick and I are getting engaged soon, and he’ll be my future husband. If your mother were still alive, do you think she’d want you to be called a…mistress?”
Gregory, who had been standing nearby, lost his composure. His face darkening, he stormed toward Eleanor, roughly grabbing her. “Get back to your room now. You’re just as shameless as your mother!”
“Shameless?” Eleanor laughed bitterly. She had long seen through Gregory’s true nature. “Who’s really shameless here? You don’t get to insult my mother.” The love she once felt for her father had curdled into deep loathing. She couldn't comprehend his shamelessness. Before her mother’s death, he had doted on her.
Her gaze flickered toward Jennifer, her eyes full of scorn.
Dominick’s cold voice cut through the air. “Eleanor, do you know what you look like right now?” He approached, raising a hand to grip her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His words were slow and deliberate. “You look like a clown. Everyone is laughing at you.”
Eleanor's eyes darted around the room, taking in Dominick, the staff, and his bodyguards. He was right. In that moment, she was nothing more than a clown, met with indifference, mockery, and disdain. They all believed her lies about not harming Alexis. Now, released from prison, she was attempting to destroy Dominick and Alexis’s relationship.
Eleanor mumbled, “I didn’t do it…” But she knew no one would believe her, and they never had.
Dominick didn’t spare her another glance, continuing to usher Alexis toward the door.
The girl who had once been his everything was now abandoned, a stray dog, alone and forgotten.
Gregory barked orders. “If you want to stay in this house, then keep your head down and stop trying to interfere with Dominick and Alexis. If you keep this up, I swear I won’t let you get away with it.”
Jennifer stepped forward, offering a false smile. “Ellie, let’s just move past all that. With the Reed family’s current standing, I’m sure I can find you a good man, and you can live a peaceful life.”