No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 117

Eleanor froze for a moment, then composed herself and said firmly, "Faye, even if you have a problem with me, please watch your words. My relationship with Joel is strictly professional. There's nothing inappropriate going on, as you're suggesting."

With that, Eleanor turned to leave.

But Faye wasn't about to let her off so easily. "Heard you had a daughter, Eleanor. Don't you want to set a good example for her? And does your husband know you're flirting with a coworker at work?"

Eleanor spun back around with a cool smile. "My private life isn't your concern."

Faye's expression soured. "Eleanor, I'm only looking out for you. Don't just brush this off. Even if you don't care about your reputation, you should think about Joel's."

Eleanor's smile didn't falter. "There's nothing going on between Joel and me. You're imagining things."

"Oh, am I?" Faye retorted. "Or are you just too afraid to admit it? If you keep clinging to Joel, I won't hesitate to let your husband know exactly what you've been up to."

Eleanor, in the middle of divorce proceedings and in no mood for drama, shot back coldly, "Faye, mind your own business and stay out of my family affairs."

Faye arched a brow, triumphant. "Are you scared? If you are, then keep your distance from Joel. Otherwise, I really will tell him."

Not wanting to waste another breath on the pointless argument, Eleanor turned and walked away.

Faye, meanwhile, took Eleanor's silence as fear. She figured Eleanor's marriage must be a mess, probably married to some jerk—which would explain why she'd look elsewhere for affection. Either way, Faye was determined to keep her away from Joel.

***

Friday arrived quickly. Serena sent Eleanor a message to let her know she'd be picking up her niece for the weekend at the Goodwin family estate.

Serena was already waiting by the school gates, glancing occasionally at her phone—and keeping an eye out for Xavier.

At 4:10 sharp, Xavier's silver Bentley pulled into the parking lot. It had been nearly ten days since Serena last saw him at the recital, and her heart skipped a beat as he stepped out of the car—tall, composed, and exuding a calm confidence. Xavier was a year older than her brother, and somehow, that only made him seem more magnetic.

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