Chapter 160

Eleanor, lost in her thoughts, stumbled a few steps.

However, before she could fall, a firm, steady hand reached out and caught her.

It was Nolan. She hadn't even noticed when he arrived, but now he was standing in front of her,shielding her like a wall. His presence was sharp and intimidating as his cold eyes cut across to Jeff. "Mr.Benton, until the truth is clear, you'd better hold off on throwing accusations."

Jeff opened his mouth to argue, but justthen,the doors of the emergency room burst open.

He rushed forward, grabbing the doctor's hand anxiously. "Doctor, how's my wife? Is she okay?"

"She's out of immediate danger..." the doctor began. Eleanor didn't hear the rest.

Nolan gently guided her toward the elevator.

Inside, he ignored the curious stares. His only concern was her, holding her close until they reached his villa in Regal Heights.

Eleanor was still in shock.

Hilda's face kept flashing in her mind again and again. The resemblance was so unsettling, it left her rattled.

Once home, Nolan led her to the master bedroom upstairs. He tucked her in carefully, his voice low and steady. "Don't think about anything right now. Leave it to me."

He leaned down, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead,and walked out.

Eleanor stared blankly at his retreating back, then finally shut her eyes.

By the time Nolan reached the first floor, his gentle expression had hardened into steel. "Investigate," he ordered flatly. "Every staff member at Verdant Crest today, every second of surveillance footage, inside and out. I want the full picture."

Erick didn't dare hesitate. "I'm on it, Mr. Stewart."

Knowing how fragile Eleanor was, Nolan had her stay in the villa that night.

He kept his distance, not wanting to disturb her.

The next morning, he entered the bedroom with a glass of milk in hand, his tone soft with worry. "You're awake? Wash up first, then drink this."

Eleanor sat up slowly, but her appetite wasn't there.Meeting his gaze, she said quietly, "I want to go to the hospital to see Mrs.Benton."

She knew she probably shouldn't, but her emotions were all over the place.

For the first time in her life, she felt like she was losing control, letting her heart lead instead of her mind. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't shake the memory of the way Hilda had looked at her, with such warmth, with such love.

She thought maybe she could use her medical skills to help Hilda somehow, to do something, anything,for her.

Nolan seemed to catch the shift in her expression.He gave her hand a light squeeze. "Alright. Eat something first, then I'll go with you."

Eleanor nodded and quietly got out of bed, following his lead.

The drive to the hospital was wrapped in silence.

Eleanor kept her gaze fixed on the window,watching the world rush by in a blur. But her thoughts wouldn't stay quiet. "Nolan," she finally said, her voice low,"do you think is it possible I'm really their daughter?"

She didn't wait for his answer. The words poured out on their own.

"When I was little, I used to imagine what my parents looked like. I'd tell myself they must have loved me a lot...they just lost me by accident. Sometimes I even dreamed they'd walk into Hope House one day and take me home."

Sadness laced her voice as she continued, "But then one day, Myah told me... both my parents had already passed away. After that, I stopped dreaming about them. I forced myself to be strong, to depend on no one but myself. And then yesterday, I saw Mrs.Benton."

The pain in her words was clear. Nolan listened without interrupting, his chest tight with ache.

He held her cold hand firmly and spoke softly. "We'll find out the truth. And no matter what it is, I'll be right here. I won't leave you, Eleanor. Not ever."

Her eyes lingered on his for a long moment before a faint smile finally broke through. "Okay."

The Regal Heights wasn't far from the hospital.

Before long, their car pulled into the underground garage.

Eleanor drew a slow breath, steeling herself as she stepped into the elevator.

But the moment the doors slid open and she walked out, her steps faltered.

Right in front of her was a face that felt strangely familiar.

It wasn't the exact same as hers, but the resemblance was uncanny. If he hadn't been a man,she thought, the similarity between them might have been even stronger