Chapter 146

Nolan offered no resistance.

His posture only grew more rigid as he followed the butler down the hallway and into the basement,getting down on his knees without uttering a word.

The butler lingered nearby, hesitating before finally breaking the silence. "Mr. Stewart,why put yourself through this? Your grandfather only wants what's best for you."

Nolan kept his eyes fixed ahead, refusing to respond.

With a heavy sigh, the butler shook his head and stepped away, worry lining his features.

Such misfortune.

Two decades ago, Norwood's own son had been punished over a woman. Now,twenty years later, history repeated itself with his grandson.

The Stewarts-forever captives of their own hopeless romantic streak.

Would their legacy survive another generation like this?

Of course, the butler's concerns missed the mark.

If he had truly understood Eleanor's worth,he would have thought Nolan wasn't good for her, not the other way around.

But he didn't know.

All the butler knew was that Nlorwood hadn't slept in days, his health slipping with every restless night.

It looked like another call to the Underground Network was in order-he would need to stock up on those pills, just in case.

Five hours later.

Darkness had settled in. Still stubborn, Nolan lingered in the basement, lips twisting into a wry smile before he finally stood and slipped out of the house.

Eleanor had just wrapped up her work when a knock echoed through her apartment.

At this hour?

She felt a flicker of curiosity as she went to the door.

On her doorstep stood Nolan, rain-soaked, his black shirt plastered to his skin and outlining every hard line of muscle across his shoulders and down his narrow waist.

He looked like a mess, but his eyes were startlingly bright. He fixed her with a plaintive stare. "Baby,you have to let me stay. I got punished by my grandpa-stuck in the basement for hours. And now I'm out on the street, all boecause of you."

It was only haIf the truth. He had been sentenced to hours of reflection, yes. But as for being thrown out-Norwood would never have the heart to send him away, especially if he suspected Nolan might run straight to Eleanor.

And Eleanor, of course, saw right through it.

But as she saw Nolan dripping wet and looking so defeated, Eleanor's resolve melted.

With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, she stepped aside and tugged him in by the arm, feigning annoyance."Come on, troublemaker. Get inside."

She fetched a fresh towel and the first-aid kit, then motioned for him to settle on the sofa. Kneeling down, she gently rolled up his pant legs, frowning at the angry swelling on his knees-evidence of hours spent standing in silence, enduring punishment.

A pang of sympathy twisted in Eleanor's chest.

Her hands moved even more carefully. "Don't ever do something like this again."

Norwood never hid his disapproval of her.

But if Nolan had just played along-offered a few placating words, even if they were lies-Norwood never would have punished him like that.

Nolan must have gone head-to-head with his grandfather, stubborn as ever.

Love really did make people foolish.

Was there even a cure for it?

Nolan caught the look in her eyes-the worry, the tenderness-and suddenly, every ache in his body felt worth it.

He didn't say a word. He just watched her, quietly memorizing the moment.

While things were quiet and calm in Eleanor's apartment, everything at the Stewart family's estate was unraveling.

Norwood, glancing at the time and realizing Nolan had missed dinner,finally relented.

A trace of concern slipped into his stern expression as he set his book aside. "Go fetch Nolan," he instructed the butler.

The butler hesitated, shifting from foot to foot."Mr.Stewart..."

Norwood's frown deepened. "What is it? Is he still refusing to admit his mistake?"

Shaking his head, the butler replied even more quietly, "No, sir. He slipped out the moment his five hours were up."

Heading out so late could only mean one thing-Nolan had gone running straight to Eleanor.

The image of his proud grandson lowering himself for that woman set Norwood's temper ablaze. He slammed his fist down. "Wonderful.Just wonderful!"

He had given up on Arya, that hopeless woman. But he had a long list of eligible candidates. He would definitely find a woman both worthy of their name and winning Nolan over.