Chapter 9

Alexis’s face paled further after Eleanor’s words. Her eyes glistened, and she looked deeply wronged. But Eleanor wasn't fooled; she knew Alexis too well.

“Oh, feeling fragile again?” Eleanor scoffed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Then, a sharp slap echoed through the room, silencing Eleanor’s mockery. Her hand flew to her stinging cheek as she stared at Dominick’s cold, unfeeling face. She couldn’t believe he had hit her.

“Apologize to Alexis,” he commanded, his tone icy, ignoring Eleanor’s pain.

“You hit me?” Eleanor’s voice cracked. “You slapped me… for her?”

“Don’t think sleeping with me gives you power,” Dominick said flatly. “My wife will be Alexis, not you.” Eleanor’s eyes reddened. “Dominick! Say that again!”

“Get out,” Dominick barked. “Who gave you the guts to speak to me like that?”

Eleanor clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. A chill ran through her as she stared at his indifferent face. This was the man who once treated her like his entire world?

His next words shattered her composure: “If prison didn’t teach you a lesson, I’ll send you back.”

Alexis shot Eleanor a smug glance. “Nick, don’t be so harsh. She’s suffered enough,” she said softly, almost pityingly. Then, in a lower voice, she added, “Eleanor, go home. Let’s keep last night quiet. How will you find a husband if people hear about this? My mother has been trying to match you with someone decent.”

“Nothing happened last night,” Dominick interrupted, gripping Alexis’s hand. He wheeled Alexis from the room, ignoring Eleanor.

Eleanor sat frozen, covering her swollen cheek. Watching him leave without hesitation, she laughed bitterly. "I'm such an idiot," she scoffed. Her tears finally flowed. She had thrown herself at him, only to be met with humiliation and disgust. Alexis’s comment made sense; she was shameless, and she deserved it.

Finding her phone, Eleanor called Rachel. She tried to laugh it off, telling herself it didn't matter; she wanted to disgust him, and she had. Mission accomplished. She should feel satisfied.

But the tears wouldn’t stop, and the ache in her chest remained.

When Rachel arrived with a new outfit, she gasped at Eleanor’s bruised body. Sitting beside her, she asked, “Was he sleeping with you or punishing you?”

Eleanor gave a weak smile and shook her head. Pulling on the fresh clothes, she said, “He thinks touching me is revolting. What do you think?”

Rachel frowned, sympathy and frustration warring on her face. “So what’s the plan now? Those reporters you called are under a gag order.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Eleanor said, her jaw tightening. “I don’t need it to go public. As long as I got under his skin, that’s enough.”

As they talked, Bruce entered with a small box of pills. Rachel shifted uncomfortably as soon as she noticed him.

Bruce placed the box before Eleanor. “Mr. Vanderbilt instructed me to make sure you take the pill…” His voice trailed off as he indicated the box of contraceptives.

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, is Dominick afraid I’ll trap him with a baby?”

Bruce remained calm. “It’s just a precaution.”

“Relax. The last thing I want is to be pregnant with his baby,” Eleanor snapped. She popped a pill and swallowed it, her movements sharp and deliberate.

Rachel watched, her chest tightening. After Bruce left, she turned to Eleanor, her voice soft. “Dear, what are you going to do now? Dominick… he really—”

Eleanor cut her off, taking a deep breath. “I’m not some helpless little girl. I can take care of myself.” Her tone wavered, but her eyes sparked with defiance. “If he thinks I’m disgusting, good. He’s blind anyway. For now, I’ll find a job. The Reed family is completely under Jennifer and Alexis’s control. And my so-called father… forget about him.”

Who could have thought the previous Miss Charming would end up in such a sorry state?

Rachel gripped Eleanor’s hand. “You’re not alone. Whatever you need, I’ve got your back.”

A lump rose in Eleanor’s throat. She hugged Rachel, grateful for her support. She was in no shape to go home; her body ached too much. She decided to stay in the suite for the night. When she recovered, she’d take back what was hers from Gregory.

Rachel ordered extra food and made Eleanor as comfortable as possible. The presidential suite was practically Dominick’s permanent residence, and no one seemed to mind Eleanor staying overnight.

That evening, Eleanor browsed the internet, marveling at how much the world had changed in three years. Technology had advanced incredibly; even phones did more than she could have imagined before prison.

She scrolled, finding nothing about Dominick’s recent scandal. His name still popped up frequently, especially in smaller forums discussing his mysterious royal background. He was an enigma, even among Avaris’s elite.

Even Eleanor, who had spent years by his side, knew little about him. She didn’t know where he came from, had never met his family, and had no idea how he built his empire.

The only thing she knew for certain was that Dominick was brilliant and powerful, and back then… he adored her.

Her eyes lingered on a post speculating about his influence. In three years, he had become untouchable, almost mythical. This man, who once held her so gently, was now the undisputed king of the city’s shadowy underworld.