Chapter 1184:
A scowl formed on Lance’s face. “Got a better suggestion?”
Thoughts flickered through Elena’s mind. What if she convinced Torin to go with her? As wild as it sounded, maybe it wasn’t so far-fetched. A simple plan took shape on her lips. “I’ll just get him to leave with me.”
Jaw-dropping, Lance stared in utter shock. “Wait, El, you’re not being serious, right? That guy’s slippery as oil. You think he’d just walk off with us?”
He scratched his head, unsure if Elena was truly losing it, letting anger override her sense.
Avo stared, equally baffled. “Are you for real, El?”
Graveness settled over Elena. “Just hear me out…”
Curiosity pulled both Lance and Avo forward, their attention fully on her next words.
Lance’s uncertainty slipped away, leaving behind a flicker of excitement and hope.
Respect for Elena’s boldness shone in Avo’s gaze, a subtle shift in the way he regarded her.
With morning light streaming in, Elena made her way to Torin’s grand estate. A firm hand blocked her path at the entrance. The butler, polite but wary, asked, “May I know your name?”
Confidence in her voice, Elena introduced herself without hesitation.
Recognition failed to cross the butler’s face. “Elena Harper, you said? The name doesn’t ring a bell. Do you have an appointment with the Duke of Blackwood?”
Such inquiries were nothing new for the butler. Over time, he had developed a set way of handling women who came seeking Torin’s attention. Suitors had been plentiful over the years, with even Celeste making more than one appearance at the doorstep. Torin, however, never spared them more than a passing glance.
As someone who’d watched Torin grow from a boy to a man, the butler held out hope that Torin might someday meet a worthy bride.
There was something undeniably different about Elena’s energy—a charm that set her apart from those suitors, and the butler found himself quite taken with her.
When Elena asked if he would inform Torin of her presence, the butler didn’t turn her away. “Please have a seat, Miss Harper,” he replied, his tone courteous and welcoming. “I’ll see if the Duke of Blackwood is available.”
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 ⲅⲁ𝓁𝗇𝓸ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⸰ⅽ𝗈𝗺
The butler went upstairs to Torin’s room. A gentle knock sounded on the door as he called out with practiced courtesy, “Your Grace, there’s a Miss Elena Harper downstairs requesting to see you. She has no appointment. Would you like me to send her away?”
Expectations were low. In the past, Torin never entertained unexpected visitors. Silence hung in the hallway, the butler waiting, surprised by the lack of a swift reply.
Uncertainty crept in. He hesitated, debating whether to announce the visitor again, but just as his hand lifted, the door swung open without warning. Without a single word, Torin brushed past the butler and headed down the staircase.
The butler stood rooted, astonished. Was Torin truly about to greet the woman at the door? Such a thing had never happened before.
A sudden realization struck, spurring the butler to hurry after Torin, arriving just in time to see Torin offer a rare smile to the waiting young woman.
Gesturing for Elena to step inside, Torin’s eyes lingered on her with a spark of intrigue. “Well, look at this! I wasn’t expecting you to seek me out. Has my absence made your heart grow fonder already?”
In the past, such comments would have triggered Elena’s sharp retorts. This time, though, she kept her composure.
.
.
.