Chapter 8
A few minutes later, another message arrived, laced with provocation.
“Ms. Steele, I almost forgot that today’s my birthday! That’s why Hunter brought me to the auction. He bid on every piece of jewelry I liked, and in a couple of days, we’re flying to Bali to celebrate. I’m having the best 24th birthday ever. Hope you’re happy too!”
Attached was a selfie of her sitting in the passenger seat, showing off her new jewelry.
Lena read through the message in silence. Then, without a word, she pulled out a suitcase and started packing.
She only kept the essentials. Daily items, unused clothes, bags, and anything she didn’t need were gone.
Every gift she’d ever received from Hunter over the years went straight into the trash.
Over the next three or four days, she meticulously cleared out every trace of herself from that house.
During that time, Eleanor kept sending her photos and videos from their trip, which were sweet, intimate, and showy.
Lena ignored them all. She didn’t reply once.
When Hunter finally returned and saw the half–empty villa, he froze.
“Lena, why is the house missing so much stuff?”
Her expression was calm. “We had rats a couple of days ago. I asked someone to pack things up, so nothing would get ruined.”
01:130
He looked around the room. From what he could tell, only her things were missing.
He frowned and was about to ask more when Eleanor suddenly interrupted him.
“Mr. Langdon, here are the documents you need to review today. Please take a look.”
Hunter had indeed fallen behind on work during their trip.
He nodded and took the files back to his study without another word.
Lena didn’t care whether they were really discussing business or something else.
She walked out to the balcony alone. There, she knelt beside the cat she had raised for years and fed it for the last time.
While she was tending to the cat, she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned and saw Eleanor approaching. Calmly, without letting it show, she opened her phone and started recording.
“I must admit, I kind of admire you,” Eleanor began, voice dripping with mockery. “Your man’s already moved on, and you still pretend like nothing’s happened. How long can you keep lying to yourself? I’ve sent you so much proof that Hunter loves me now. And you still won’t back down. He’s been with you for eight years and still hasn’t proposed, but it only took me three months to make him fall for me head over heels. Do you really think you can win against me?”
Lena said nothing. She knew this was just another attempt to provoke her.
So no matter what Eleanor said, she remained completely silent.
But that silence, indifferent and cold, felt like a slap to Eleanor’s face.
01:13
The more she talked, the more enraged she became. Until finally, she snapped.
“You like playing dumb that much? Fine, let me spell it out. On your anniversary, I knew Hunter would come to save me. That’s why I had someone sabotage the chandelier. You’re lucky it didn’t kill you. But remember this. Luck doesn’t last forever. If you don’t step aside, I won’t stop coming after you.”
At that, Lena finally looked up at her eyes filled with a complex, unreadable emotion.
“So? You came here today, what else are you planning to do?”
Eleanor smiled smugly and walked over to the balcony railing. She scooped up the sleeping cat and began to squeeze.
Lena’s heart dropped. Instinctively, she lunged forward to pry her hands off, trying to rescue the crying, struggling cat.
But Eleanor just smirked and shoved her aside, then hurled the cat over the edge of the third–floor balcony.
The moment the cat disappeared from view, something inside Lena snapped.
Heat surged through her chest. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped Eleanor across the face.
A red welt bloomed instantly across her cheek, but Eleanor didn’t get angry. She just laughed. Eyes gleaming triumphantly, she leaned in and said, “You asked what I came here for, right? Well, here’s your answer: I will jump off this balcony. What do you think? Will Hunter believe you were trying to kill me?”
And with that, she gave Lena a mocking smile and then flung herself off the balcony.
