Chapter 6

At three o'clock that afternoon, Eleonora walked into the towering glass skyscraper of the Carlisle Group headquarters. She had swapped her glamorous gown for a low-profile khaki trench coat and a baseball cap pulled low over her eyes.

She swiped her security badge and stepped into the private elevator reserved exclusively for the CEO.

The elevator chimed softly as the doors opened on the top floor. She walked down the silent, heavily carpeted hallway and pushed open the massive mahogany double doors.

Behind a sprawling executive desk sat her older brother, Alphons Carlisle. He was reviewing a mountain of legal documents.

Hearing the doors open, Alphons looked up. The severe, ruthless expression he wore for business softened slightly when he saw his sister.

Eleonora didn't bother with pleasantries. She walked straight to the expensive leather sofa and collapsed onto it, her limbs going boneless.

She pulled off her baseball cap and immediately started venting loudly about the paparazzi, the scandal, and Carrie's blackmail.

Alphons set down his Montblanc pen. He stood up, his tall frame imposing, and walked over to the water dispenser.

He filled a glass with warm water and carried it over, handing it to his complaining sister.

His brow furrowed. "I heard about this reality show nonsense. You shouldn't be doing this."

Eleonora took a sip of the water. She shrugged, her shoulders slumping. "Carrie says it's the only PR strategy that will save my role in the movie."

Alphons let out a cold, dismissive snort. "The heir to the Carlisle family does not need to suffer this kind of humiliation. I will have the acquisitions department buy the production company tomorrow. We will fire the director and cancel the show."

Eleonora choked on her water. She waved her hands frantically. "No! Absolutely not. I spend my entire life trying to prove I'm a real actress. If you buy the studio, the media will just say I'm a spoiled rich girl throwing daddy's money around."

Alphons saw the genuine panic in her eyes and relented. He turned and walked back to his desk.

As he organized the papers, he spoke casually. "The legal department just brought on a new Chief Counsel. His name is Brennan Kane. His methods are incredibly ruthless and efficient. He's a rare talent."

Eleonora had zero interest in corporate personnel changes. She gave a vague, dismissive "Oh" and didn't process the name at all.

She lifted her wrist and glanced at her watch. It was nearing five o'clock.

Alphons noticed the movement. "Don't forget. We have the family dinner with the board of directors and the elders tonight."

The words "family dinner" hit Eleonora like a physical shock. Her spine went completely rigid.

Her mind was instantly flooded with terrifying images of her aunts and uncles relentlessly pressuring her to get married, trying to force her into a strategic business alliance with another wealthy family.

She shot up from the sofa as if the leather had caught fire. She grabbed her bag and her hat in one frantic motion.

She started backing toward the door, her words tumbling out in a rushed panic. "I can't! The production crew just texted. They need me for an emergency pre-interview tonight. I have to go!"

Alphons saw right through the lie. He opened his mouth to stop her.

But Eleonora had already yanked the heavy doors open. She sprinted out of the office like a fleeing criminal, shouting, "Apologize to the uncles for me!" over her shoulder.

The doors slammed shut. Alphons stared at the empty space, letting out a heavy sigh.

He knew she was running away from the pressure of marriage because of the deep emotional trauma she had suffered years ago. His eyes darkened with worry.

He picked up the internal phone on his desk. He ordered his assistant to secretly monitor the reality show's production to ensure her safety.

He hung up the phone. His gaze dropped to the legal document on his desk. In the bottom right corner was the bold, aggressive signature of Brennan Kane.