Chapter 218 Crossed Lines
Eliza had no doubt that woman was Nolan’s mother.
But Nolan… it was clear he wasn’t accepted by his own mother or brother.
That thought made her heart ache.
He must have gone through everything alone all these years.
And in that, he was just like her–abandoned by his own family.
“I’m full,” she said softly, setting down her fork. It was already half past eight–had Nolan eaten yet?
She had left this morning without even saying goodbye.
He was probably feeling hurt.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became to go back.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
The hotel manager pushed it open.
Soren’s face darkened immediately. “I didn’t call for service. Who said you could come in?”
Finished
The Four Seasons was known for its impeccable service–there was no way they’d let someone in without permission.
Eliza instantly noticed the cold sweat on the manager’s face.
He looked stiff, clearly terrified.
And then, from behind him, another face appeared.
Nolan.
His gaze was sharp and cold, like a blade slicing through the room as it landed on Soren.
In that moment, he looked at Soren like he was already dead.
Eliza’s breath caught the instant she saw him.
She shot to her feet. “What are you doing here?”
She’d left a note–he was supposed to see it.
“Out,” Nolan said coolly. “Don’t make me say it twice.”
The chill in his voice was unmistakable.
Meeting with Soren tonight had clearly crossed a line for him.
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Chapter 218 Crossed Lines
Eliza glanced once at Soren, then stepped toward Nolan without protest.
As Nolan brushed past the hotel manager, Eliza caught a glimpse of a handgun tucked at his waist.
Finished
Guns were strictly illegal in Westbrook. She hadn’t expected Nolan to have one–let alone carry it around so brazenly.
“Eliza,” Soren said, his tone calm. “Is this the friend you mentioned?”
Eliza didn’t know how to respond.
“There’s no need to explain anything to him,” Nolan cut in. “We’re leaving.”
He grabbed her wrist and headed straight for the exit.
Soren didn’t stop them. He simply pressed his lips together.
So the rumors were true–Nolan had been seeing someone lately.
He just hadn’t expected that someone to be Eliza.
“Nolan,” Soren said with a cold smile. “You really never change. Always taking the things I like.”
The hotel manager stammered, terrified. “Mr. Nolan… I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to—”
“You’re pathetic,” Soren snapped. “The Four Seasons is wasting its name on someone like you.”
The manager couldn’t even lift his head.
Soren’s assistant entered the room just as Soren calmly wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Take him out. We’ll start with a new manager tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
On the drive back, Nolan didn’t say a word.
Eliza finally broke the silence. “I had dinner with him because he agreed to shoot an ad for my company- for free. It was business. He insisted on seeing me. If I didn’t go, he wouldn’t sign the contract. I didn’t have a choice-”
“No need to explain.”
“But I think you misunderstood-”
“I didn’t.”
“Then why do you look so angry?”
No answer.
Eliza glanced over and asked gently, “Nolan… did you eat?”
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“No.”
“Then let’s go eat now. I didn’t eat much at dinner either. I know a great spot, really good food. Come with me?”
She looked at him, her eyes filled with hope.
“…Send me the address.”
His voice was still cold, and he looked away–but Eliza knew that meant he’d agreed.
“It’s hard to find. I’ll give you directions. Just follow my lead.”
He said nothing more.
As she guided him from the passenger seat, she said, “Turn left up here.”
Nolan followed her directions toward a small residential neighborhood.
It wasn’t close to downtown–more like a quiet little corner of the city.
“That’s the one,” she said, pointing.
Nolan finally found a spot to park.
People from the neighborhood started gathering nearby, clearly not used to seeing such a high–end car.
Some even pulled out their phones to take pictures.
There was no proper parking lot around, so Nolan had to pull up beside the restaurant.
Eliza reassured him, “You can park anywhere around here. No spaces, but no one hands out tickets either.”
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