The word this time made it clear that Eleanor had been taking the initiative to approach him frequently these past few days.
"Husband, I'll accompany you to work," she said with a bright smile, linking her arm through his.
Charles scrutinized her.
Eleanor met his gaze, blinking innocently. "Come on, let's go! Today, I'll be your assistant. I promise not to disturb your work."
After a moment, Charles withdrew his gaze and ordered coldly, "Okay let's go."
The driver silently started the car.
Eleanor looked down at their linked hands and smiled. Taking advantage of the moment, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
Charles glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Eleanor, still feigning innocence, said, "Honey, I get dizzy in the car. I need something to lean on."
Charles replied flatly, "If you feel dizzy, we can turn back and let you rest."
"No, no! If I lean on you and breathe in your scent, I won't feel dizzy," she said with a flattering smile. "I just want to see what you look like when you work seriously. I heard that serious men are very handsome."
Charles…
He withdrew his gaze and continued reading the financial news on his tablet.
As they neared the company, he suddenly spoke. "Whatever it is you're planning, you'd better be honest."
Eleanor raised her hand and swore sincerely, "I promise I'll be good."
She followed Charles like a little tail all the way to the CEO's office.
Charles's office was exceptionally spacious, occupying the entire top floor. The workspace, meeting area, and resting quarters were clearly divided, and even the cloakroom was fully stocked with neatly arranged black, white, and gray suits.
It was Eleanor's first time visiting his office, and she looked around like a tourist, showering him with compliments.
While Charles processed documents, she sat across from him, helping with simple tasks—though, truthfully, there was nothing she needed to do.
Eleanor sat there, chin resting on her hands, staring at him intently. How had she been so blind before? Why hadn't she noticed just how handsome her husband was?
With his sharp features and cold demeanor, Charles could easily outshine even the most celebrated male idols in the entertainment industry. His expressionless face carried a natural authority, and the aura of intimidation around him could make people wary before even looking him in the eye.
Half an hour later, her phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence in the office.
Seeing the caller ID, Eleanor smirked coldly.
Charles looked up at her.
"Ele, I'm out now," Thomas's voice came through the speaker, his tone intentionally deep, magnetic, and indulgent—meant to be irresistible to most women.
"This time, I understand everything. I know it's thanks to you that I got out so quickly. Thank you, Ning Ning. Can we meet?" he asked softly.
Meet?
Eleanor curled her lips at his invitation and asked, "Where?"
"You agreed?" Thomas's voice was filled with joy. "I'll send you the address right away. Let's talk in person. There must have been a misunderstanding about what happened at the Carter family's banquet last time, Ning Ning, you…"
She didn't bother listening to the rest and hung up.
Putting her phone down, Eleanor looked up to find Charles already withdrawing his gaze, his attention back on his documents.
She reached out and lightly poked his arm with her finger.
Charles looked up at her with a questioning gaze.
"Um… husband, I have something to do and need to step out for a bit. You can manage without me, right?" she whispered.
Charles narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression cold as he studied her.
Eleanor softened her voice, gently pushing his arm like a spoiled child. "Please? I really need to go…"
"Close the door on your way out," he said, prying her hands off him without an ounce of warmth.
Eleanor blinked, then quickly stood up. "Got it!"
Without hesitation, she turned and left.
The office fell silent, leaving Charles alone.
Yet, the faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, along with the presence of a small stuffed toy she had somehow smuggled in. His office had never contained such things before.
Something to take care of?
His eyes darkened as he abruptly set his documents aside and picked up his phone.
"Mr. Harrison?" his assistant answered.
"Where did she go?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
Charles's brows furrowed. His voice was direct. "Prepare a car. Track her route."
Meanwhile, Eleanor had only been in the taxi for five minutes when she spotted a sleek black sedan following her in the rearview mirror.
Closing the window, she struggled to suppress the amused smile that tugged at her lips.
So, her husband wasn't as cold as he appeared.
As soon as she acted suspiciously, he had dropped everything to follow her.
Of course, considering that he was doing this because he didn't trust her, Eleanor still felt frustrated. She wanted to slap herself for the foolish way she had acted in the past.
She had no recollection of what kind of person she had been back then, but now, she was determined to seize every opportunity to win back her husband's favor.
Beep!
A new message popped up on her phone—it was from Thomas, asking how long it would take for her to arrive.
Eleanor traced her fingertip over the screen, her lips curling into a cold smirk.
Inside the coffee shop, Thomas greeted her warmly. "Eleanor, come sit here."
He wore a crisp white shirt, his fair complexion and gentle smile giving off an air of harmlessness—an image that easily won over those around him.
The women in the café were clearly admiring him.
In her past life, Eleanor had been fooled by that face too. But now, every time she saw his smile, she felt sick.
Once she sat down, Thomas considerately ordered a drink for her before cautiously asking, "Eleanor, did you hear something from somewhere?"
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, tossing the question back at him. "Hear what?"
What else could she have heard?
Of course, he was worried she had discovered something bad about him. Otherwise, why would she have suddenly changed her mind and humiliated him in front of everyone?
Thinking about the hell he had endured in jail these past few days, Thomas wanted nothing more than to strangle the woman in front of him.
But he suppressed the malice in his eyes, lowering his head to hide it. When he looked up again, he wore the same innocent smile, as if he had a thousand unspoken words and emotions waiting to be shared.
Eleanor merely smiled and took a sip of her coffee, watching his performance.
At that moment, a sudden commotion broke out near the entrance of the café.
Eleanor looked up—
And was surprised to see Rebecca standing there, her eyes blazing with fury.