A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )

Chapter 11 

“Mr. Laurence, let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend Eleanor.” 

Josef introduced her generously, causing Eleanor to be taken aback. 

She never thought that the status she once longed for would be given to her by a jerk. 

And the man she yearned for just held his wine glass, never glancing at her. 

It was as if everything happening here had nothing to do with him, so indifferent and heartless. 

Seeing Bernard not interested a bit, Josef immediately grabbed Eleanor’s chin. 

“Mr. Laurence, don’t you think she looks like Sophie?” 

Today, he met Ms. Ratliff, who looked very similar to Eleanor, when he went to the Ratliff Group for a project discussion. 

After some inquiries, he found out that Ms. Ratliff, who just returned to the country, was Bernard’s girlfriend. 

He quickly went to the Laurence Group to get close to Bernard by using Eleanor’s similar face to Sophie and successfully invited him. 

Josef was determined to take advantage of Bernard’s presence and secure the project in the west of the city. 

Upon hearing Josef’s words, Bernard slowly lifted his indifferent gaze. 

He observed her from head to toe, resembling a stranger’s gaze. 

His eyes appeared cloudy, concealing any discernible emotions. 

After a prolonged stare, he flatly remarked, “She doesn’t compare to Sophie.”

This statement struck Eleanor’s heart like a knife, inflicting immense pain. 

“Well, of course, she can’t rival Ms. Ratliff, Eleanor replied, attempting to hide her hurt. 

Josef grasped her chin, looking down on her as if she were a lowly creature, and sneered, “She’s an orphan, devoid of power, influence, or a prominent background. Ms. Ratliff, on the other hand, is the sole heir of the Ratliff Group, highly educated and astute. How could they ever be compared?” 

Indeed, how could she ever measure up? 

In Bernard’s eyes, she was merely a substitute. How could she possibly compete with Sophie? 

Eleanor pursed her lips, choosing to remain silent, her heart bleeding… 

Josef spoke ill of Eleanor in an attempt to flatter Bernard. 

However, Bernard appeared disinterested, not even sparing him a glance, as he continued to gaze down at his wine glass. 

Observing his lack of engagement in such matters, Josef ceased speaking and took a seat across from Bernard, alongside Eleanor. 

Just as they sat down, a man in an expensive suit suddenly opened a bottle of wine and handed it to Eleanor. 

“Ms. Shultz, can you drink?” 

Eleanor didn’t know who this man was and was hesitant to drink. 

If he put some drugs in it, Josef could torment her later as he pleased. 

After hesitating for a moment, the man suddenly smiled, “Relax, I didn’t drug it.” 

He had a gentle smile, which eased Eleanor’s worries a bit. 

She took the wine glass and sipped it gently, but still dared not swallow. 

Seeing this, the woman sitting next to the man couldn’t help but ridicule. 

“Mr. Caporal, the women you pick are getting cheaper and cheaper. Cedric kindly poured her a drink, and she doesn’t even dare to drink it. She really doesn’t know how to respect others.” 

The woman mentioned Cedric, Bernard’s cousin named Cedric Laurence, also a playboy, but not as extreme as Josef. 

Ever since she was Bernard’s mistress, she had never met his family and friends, this was the first time she saw Cedric, 

She couldn’t help but give him a few more glances. He looked somewhat similar to Bernard, but not as indifferent, quite gentle instead. 

Seeing that Eleanor had no reaction after hearing her words, the woman became displeased. 

Her words had a clear meaning if anyone else was in Eleanor’s position, they would definitely understand the implication and finish the glass of wine as prompted. 

Eleanor should have apologized to Cedric and finished the wine, putting the matter to rest. 

But she pretended not to understand, which was quite naive. 

Eleanor actually did understand, but the woman was speaking to Josef and didn’t explicitly ask her to drink. So, of course, she had to play dumb. 

The woman reminded Josef discontentedly, “Mr. Caporal, you are able to meet Mr. Laurence today, thanks to Cedric’s recommendation. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to see him, let alone discuss the project. Yet your woman can’t even finish a glass of wine, how can you continue later?“