Chapter 344 The Line Crossed
He didn’t want Eliza to see his office in disarray.
Eliza sat on the couch while Nolan poured her a cup of tea.
48 Pearls
“Halbert was there last night, so I couldn’t bring this up downstairs,” she began. “I came today to get something straight.”
“Go ahead. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you.”
“Are you planning to take Tyson down?”
Nolan’s hand paused over the teapot.
Eliza vaguely recalled that in her past life, after Nolan seized full control of the Hayes family, there had been a major internal power struggle. Tyson had lost–and died. The official story said it was a car accident, but everyone in their circle knew it wasn’t that simple.
Tyson was, after all, Nolan’s uncle.
Eliza needed to know what kind of conflict existed between them. She was still engaged to Henry, and the Foster family had clearly sided with Tyson. She didn’t want to end up on the opposite side of Nolan someday—especially not with Henry caught in the crossfire.
Nolan could tell she was asking for his sake.
He didn’t intend to hide anything from Eliza.
“Tyson was the standout of his generation. Talented, capable–he was groomed from an early age. For years, he managed most of the Hayes family’s affairs, handling everything with precision. But in the end, I was the one chosen to lead the family. That’s when he started plotting. He made some sort of deal with the Foster family–they’d always done business together–but I don’t know the exact terms.”
Still, Nolan was certain of one thing: Tyson must have offered the Fosters significant incentives. Otherwise, given Henry’s relationship with him, the Fosters would never have backed Tyson in a power grab.
“Does it really have to end with one of you gone?” Eliza asked.
“He wants a fight to the death,” Nolan said simply. “So I’ll give him one.”
Eliza went quiet for a moment. “If one day you end up facing Henry in business… what will you do?”
“I won’t show mercy.”
50 + + 5 = å åp
She’d expected that answer, but hearing it from his lips still left a hollow ache in her chest.
Back in high school, Henry and Nolan had been the closest of friends.
“Eliza, this doesn’t concern you. Don’t get involved,” Nolan said firmly. “As for your engagement to Henry- I’ll handle it. As long as the Fosters see enough benefit, even if Henry refuses, the rest of the family will agree to break it off.”
“What benefit?” she challenged. “You two are rivals now. Unless you give up your position as head of the Hayes family, what else could you possibly offer them?”
08:09 Mon, 14 Jul WNM
Chapter 344 The Line Crossed
Nolan didn’t respond–but his silence said it all.
Eliza wasn’t naive.
48 Pearls
She stood up abruptly. “I agreed to this engagement. You said not to meddle in your affairs–so stay out of mine. Thank you for your help. If you need something, tell me. I’m still the noble daughter of the Sue family. I’ll help however I can.”
“Eliza, I-”
Before Nolan could finish, a voice rang out from the hallway.
“Ms, Elaine! What brings you here?”
Elaine had bribed a junior assistant at Hayes Corp. The moment she heard a beautiful young woman had come to visit Nolan, she assumed it was Eliza–and raced straight over.
The receptionist was stunned. Last time, Nolan had blown up at Elaine. And now she was back?
“Nolan!”
Elaine barged into the office.
Eliza’s eyes narrowed. Nolan’s face darkened.
The assistant rushed in behind Elaine, panicked. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hayes. I didn’t mean to―Ms. Elaine forced her way in. I couldn’t stop her-”
“Out.”
Nolan rarely lost his temper, but his glare now could’ve frozen steel.
The assistant fled.
Elaine, however, stood her ground.
“I should be the one leaving,” Eliza said coolly, heading for the door.
But Nolan grabbed her wrist. “I didn’t say you could go.”
Elaine’s expression changed as she stared at Nolan’s hand wrapped around Eliza’s arm. She forced a smile. “Ms. Rivers, don’t forget–you’re Henry’s fiancée. Meeting Nolan in private like this… doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“Elaine. Watch your mouth.”
Once, Nolan might’ve spared her some dignity out of childhood familiarity. But now, Elaine had pushed too far. She kept testing his limits–and today, he’d had enough.
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The Heiress’s Second Chance at Vengeance
