Chapter 39
A few knocks sounded on the door before Hannah’s voice floated out. “Come in.”
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Eliana turned the handle and stepped into Hannah’s office. Hannah stood by the floor–to–ceiling window, stirring her coffee slowly as she admired the river view in the distance.
When she saw who had entered, a distant smile curved her lips. “Oh, it’s you, Ellie. Any progress on Mr. Russell’s engagement plans?”
Eliana replied plainly, “I’m not here about that.”
“Oh?” Hannah arched her eyebrows. “Then what is it?”
Eliana came to the point. “I’m here to ask if you’ve heard the rumors about me and Mr. Hall.”
A flicker of something passed through Hannah’s eyes, but her voice remained light, her face remained confused. “Rumors? I haven’t heard a thing.”
liana studied Hannah’s face for a moment before speaking, “You don’t seem the least bit surprised or anxious. You’re
hing like the person who interrogated me yesterday.”
ana still remembered how excited Hannah was, demanding to know if Nolan had told Eliana the real reason she hadn’t become a full–time clerk yet. That emotional outburst made it painfully clear that Hannah was someone who couldn’t tolerate even a hint of betrayal.
Yet now, when confronted with gossip about Eliana and Nolan, Hannah was unnaturally composed. Eliana was now pretty sure the whole mess had something to do with Hannah.
“It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one spreading those rumors,” Eliana said, her tone edged with certainty. “Why did you do that?”
Hannah tried to explain, “Ellie, I—”
“I asked you why!” Eliana snapped.
Hannah gave a resigned sigh and replied, “What else could I do? You’re just an assistant, and suddenly, you land a major client.
“If I told people the truth, no one would accept it. But Mr. Hall is the boss. If I say he put you up to it, even if people question it, they won’t say so to his face.”
Eliana shot back, “But Anthony specifically asked me to take this project. It had nothing to do with Mr. Hall.”
The mention of Anthony’s name sparked a flash of jealousy in Hannah’s eyes, though her voice remained composed. “That’s even more absurd. Do you realize who Anthony is? Even Nolan barely qualifies to stand beside him, let alone you or me.
“And yet he entrusts something as important as his engagement ceremony to a low–level assistant? That doesn’t add up.”
Eliana let out a cold laugh. “So you dragged Mr. Hall into this just to give everyone the wrong idea about him and me?”
Hannah sighed, “I only meant for Nolan to act as a shield. I never expected things to spiral like this.”
Hannah’s excuse made Eliana snap, and Eliana retorted, “Hannah, your lie is pathetic. I’m the wife of Anthony’s brother. He entrusts this to me because we’re family, and that’s entirely reasonable. But you insisted on complicating something so simple.
“Since you don’t admit it, let me tell you what you are up to. You wanted to smear me as the bitch who seduced her brother-
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Chapter 39
in–law. You wanted to ruin my reputation, to make it impossible for me to succeed here. Isn’t that right?”
Color drained from Hannah’s face when she heard those words because Eliana hit the mark exactly.
Yesterday, Hannah had planned to impress Anthony and watch Eliana fall flat. Instead, Eliana took center stage and outshone her completely.
Hannah couldn’t stand it, so she seeded rumors, letting the staff believe Nolan played favorites. Then she stayed back, letting the gossip fester and grow.
Even now, faced with confrontation, Hannah wasn’t anxious. She had prepared her reply. Her voice dropped lower as she replied, “Indeed, you’re the wife of Anthony’s brother, but do you dare tell that to everyone in the department?”
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