Chapter 46

Eleanor rolled her eyes at the whole display."Seriously? That's all you've got?"

She was a good fighter. Dealing with those security guards was child's play.

She was just getting ready to take action when she suddenly caught sight of Nolan, who had just stepped out of the hotel lobby.

He stood leaning against the glass doors, watching her with an amused grin.

No telling how long he had been there,quietly taking it all in.

As soon as Nolan realized she had noticed him, he strolled over, slow-clapping as he came closer.

"Not bad at all, Miss Warren," Nolan called out.

People usually saw Eleanor as soft-spoken and polite, but there was a fierceness in her that no one could push around.

Trailing after Nolan, Erick stared in open-mouthed shock. He never would have guessed that delicate-looking Eleanor could outmatch men. Poor Nolan-he was going to have his hands full with her.

Meanwhile, Emma's tough exterior disappeared the instant she spotted Nolan. Her eyes widened, and she swapped anger for vulnerability as she rushed toward him."Mr.Stewart!"

Before she could get too close, Erick stepped in,holding out an arm. "Miss Todd, you know Mr.Stewart isn't big on unexpected company."

Emma nearly lost her balance, stumbling awkwardly.She glared, annoyed-of course a powerful man like Nolan would step. in when a woman was in distress.

Turning on the waterworks, she faced Nolan and begged, "Mr. Stewart, I have no idea what we did to upset this crazy woman. She just started swinging!You've got to help us out." Nolan's reputation for keeping to himself was well known. He usually stayed out of petty drama.

Even so, the way he watched Eleanor out of the corner of his eye made it clear-she had caught his attention.

The group of rich men exchanged uneasy looks before bolting upright.

One clutched his stomach and blurted out,"Something's wrong with me-l need to get to a hospital."

Another waved his phone as if in panic. "Shoot,I forgot my mom told me to come home early. I can't stay."

"My girlfriend's calling me. We'll catch up some other time!" a third chimed in, bolting away even faster than the ones before him.

With the power he held, Nolan could destroy them without breaking a sweat.

No one in their right mind would have dared to push their luck.

Yet Emma, stubborn and thoughtless, continued to stir up trouble. Foolishness clung to her every move.

When Nolan said nothing, Emma leaned forward,panic rising in her voice. "Mr. Stewart, you can't let Eleanor deceive you. She's nothing more than a schemer who trapped my brother with her charms..."

Her words were cut short when Nolan spoke at last."Does the Todd Group no longer require financial support?"

Emma froze, blinking in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Erick quickly interjected, "Miss Todd, what Mr.Stewart is saying is that if your family's company doesn't want the funds, then we will gladly pull out our investment."

The meaning hit Emma hard.

Was Nolan defending Eleanor again? Just like he had at the previous exhibition?

What made that bitch so deserving of Nolan's support?

Although resentment weighed heavily inside her,Emma kept her mouth shut, unwilling to risk a single word.

The funding Jonny fought so hard to secure could vanish with one careless move, and Emma knew if she ruined it, the blame would fall squarely on her.

Resentment burned her throat, but she forced a smile and bowed her head. "Please excuse my behavior. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Once Emma slipped out, Nolan approached Eleanor with calm confidence, lowering himself until his face hovered so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath.

The nearness made her tense, and she reacted on impulse, trying to shove him back bout to no avail.

Nolan didn't look offended. Instead, his eyes gleamed with amusement, and the corners of his lips curved in a sly grin.

His hand lifted without warning, brushing over her hair in a gesture that felt far too casual for the moment.

"You really are ungrateful," he murmured with a teasing lilt. "Another rescue, another tally-I'll keep track for you."

Shock rooted Eleanor where she stood, the intimacy of his touch catching her completely off guard.

But before her mind caught up, Nolan had already turned away, leaving her behind with her fury simmering.

As if she needed saving.

Those guards would have scattered the moment she dealt with them, yet he insisted on painting himself as the courageous hero.

Her jaw tightened as she swore under her breath that she wouldn't let herself get tangled up with him again.