A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )

Chapter 21 

Bernard’s already cold and distant countenance grew even colder, with a hint of frost in his eyes and furrowed brows. 

Setting down his wine glass, he raised his icy gaze and directed it towards Cedric. “What are your thoughts?” 

Cedric ventured to make a bold assumption. “I believe you might have some feelings for her, albeit small. Otherwise, why would you react so strongly and pour wine on her when Josef mentioned his involvement with her?” 

Bernard snorted dismissively. “She got involved with Josef immediately after our breakup. I couldn’t accept it in the moment, so I wanted to teach her a lesson. Does that imply I have feelings for her?” 

As he spoke, the chill in his eyes dissipated, leaving behind only cold indifference. It seemed as though he no longer cared about the person he had just taught a lesson to. 

Observing this, Cedric let out a small sigh of relief. 

He understood that Bernard had a fastidious nature and couldn’t tolerate his partner being casually involved with someone else. It was 

a normal reaction. 

Moreover, when Sophie returned to the country, Bernard immediately broke up with Eleanor. It shows that in his heart, Eleanor’s position as a substitute wasn’t important. 

Cedric didn’t say anything else, just drank the wine in his glass, stood up, and said, “Well, I’m going back first.” 

Bernard didn’t speak, but just nodded indifferently. 

Cedric had been used to Bernard’s indifference since he was a child and didn’t mind. He just picked up his coat and left. 

It was raining heavily outside, and his assistant was holding an umbrella for him to get in the car. He instructed the assistant to drive downtown. 

At a crossroads, while waiting for the traffic light to change, he spotted Eleanor standing in the heavy rain, clad only in a dress, desperately attempting to hail a taxi. 

Her delicate frame appeared vulnerable, and the rain–soaked fabric clung to her body. Her long hair was drenched and stuck to her face, giving her a slightly disheveled yet still beautiful appearance. 

Cedric noticed that several taxis drove past her without stopping, unwilling to offer her a ride. 

After a brief moment of hesitation, he instructed his assistant to drive over to her location. 

Eleanor shielded her face from the rain with her hand and faintly perceived a man approaching her, holding an umbrella. 

As the umbrella covered her head, she stood there in astonishment, slowly raising her eyes to meet his gaze… 

In a daze, it seemed like she had gone back five years… 

She remembered that it was also raining heavily that day. She was standing outside a nightclub, begging passersby to buy her for one night. 

Many men went in and out, touching her, teasing her, mocking her. None of them were willing to buy her. 

However, a man wearing a black coat, emanating an air of pride and indifference, approached Eleanor with a steady pace. 

As he held an umbrella to shield her from the pouring rain, blocking the onslaught of wind and water, she perceived him as her savior. 

With great effort, she crawled towards him in the dim light, clutching onto his pant legs, sobbing and pleading for him to buy her for a night. 

The man looked down at her, devoid of disdain or mockery in his eyes, and simply asked in a cold tone, “Are you a virgin?” 

At that moment, her face flushed, and she nodded in affirmation. Without hesitation, the man extended his slender and handsome hand 

towards her. 

As she placed her hand in his broad palm, it felt as if their fates had become irrevocably intertwined. 

“Get in the car, and I’ll take you home.” 

Cedric opened the backseat door, and his gentle voice mixed with rainwater drifted over. 

Eleanor finally came to her senses, noticing that the man in front of her was Cedric, Bernard’s cousin. 

She had already broken up with Bernard, so in theory, she shouldn’t have any connections with the Laurence family. 

But her phone was out of battery, she couldn’t get a taxi, and nearby stores that could serve as shelters were all closed. 

She hesitated for a moment before finally getting into his car. 

She was soaked, making the back seat wet as well. 

Eleanor hurriedly took out tissues from her bag, wiping the carpet beneath her, and said with embarrassment, “Sorry for messing up 

your car.” 

Cedric observed her humble gesture and promptly intervened, “There’s no need to wipe it; it’s just a carpet. If it’s dirty, we can simply dispose of it.” 

As Eleanor paused in her careful wiping of the carpet, she nearly forgot that the considerate individual who allowed her into the car belonged to the Laurence family. The Laurence family wouldn’t place much importance on a mere carpet, regardless of its value. 

Eleanor discreetly put away the tissue, feeling slightly embarrassed, and whispered, “Thank you.” 

Cedric casually dismissed her gratitude with a wave of his hand, saying, “Where do you live?” 

Without hesitation, Eleanor provided him with her address. 

The car started moving, swiftly driving towards her home.