Chapter 288

Nolan shot Hector a meaningful glance.

Catching on immediately, Hector gently helped Norwood to his room to rest.

A moment later, several bodyguards dressed in black strode in.

"Mr.Stewart, they've gone," one of them said, bowing his head.

Nolan gave a curt nod, his tone cool and clipped."Double the security around the estate. From this moment on, Colson is not to set foot anywhere near it."

"Understood." The guards accepted the command without question and slipped away as silently as they would arrived.

Nolan then pulled out his phone and fired off a message to Erick.

"Find out which hotel Colson is holed up in. Deliver a warning-he has got three days to clear out of Elepdon, or he'll learn the hard way what consequences look like."

With that business settled, Nolan finally turned to Eleanor. She stood beside him, her face taut with worry."Baby, really-I'm fine. Don't trouble yourself.It's late. Let me take you home."

Something in his steady voice reassured Eleanor, and the tension in her shoulders eased. "Alright," she agreed softly.

Meanwhile,Colson and Ady had just returned to their suite at the Lumina Hotel.

Brodie,who had been pacing in the living room,rushed over the instant they walked in.

"Dad,how did it go wvith Grandpa?"

Colson ripped off his jacket and tossed it carelessly onto the couch, his face dark with irritation. "Don't even get me started," he barked.

The meeting had gone worse than he ever imagined.After all these years, Nolan of all people called the shots in the Stewart family.

He had not only thrown him out in front of Norwood but issued orders as if the family crown already sat on his head.

Since when did Nolan hold all the reins? Ady was just as furious; she turned her fire squarely on Colson.

"Because of Nolan, Brodie got sent packing from Zerovia, your assets are frozen solid, and now we're barred from our own home! If you don't come up with a plan soon, the three of us will be tossed out of Elepdon with nothing but the clothes on our backs!"

Seeing her wrath boil over, Colson scrambled to soothe her. "Baby, don't work yourself up. I promise -I won't let you or Brodie suffer."

But no sooner had the words left his mouth than a soft knock sounded at the door.

Brodie, being closest, went to open it.

On the threshold stood Erick, sharp in a tailored black suit, his face carved in stone.

His icy gaze slid past Brodie and locked on Colson lounging in the living room. "My boss's orders are simple," he said flatly. "You have three days to leave Elepdon. Fail to comply, and we'll personally see you escorted out."

Before Colson could open his mouth, Brodie shot forward, bristling with indignation. "And who the hell do you think you are, barging in here and threatening us like that?" Erick's eyes never wavered-cold, steady, not even the flicker of a brow. "I'm simply carrying out orders."

With a faint, almost dismissive nod, he turned on his heel and walked out.

The door clicked shut, and a heavy silence settled over the suite like a suffocating fog.

Ady's composure shattered. She crumpled into Colson's arms, striking his chest with trembling fists."Did you hear him, Colson? Three days! He means to corner us!"

Colson's face darkened. With a snarl, he slammed his fist against the coffee table, the sound reverberating through the room. His jaw clenched tight, teeth grinding. "I'm his father! I refuse to be driven out like some beggar. Let's see just how far he dares push me!"

The three of them convinced themselves that Nolan was bluffing.

And so, they resolved to remain at the Lumina Hotel,daring Nolan to make good on his threat.