Ronald held the letter, staring at the envelope without moving.
The man in the shadows slowly turned toward him, the black pearl pendant on his chest gently swaying. "Master Ronald, there truly is a secret inside that can crush Eleanor, but it's not something you can read right now. Otherwise, I promise you'll regret it deeply."
Only then did Ronald move his gaze from the envelope and look at the thin man in the shadows.
This thin man had arrived at the Ronald family estate over two years ago. He had never appeared publicly, yet managed to secretly connect the Ronald family with many hidden noble clans, helping them rise to their current status. They were now nearly strong enough to challenge the four great families of the past.
Although Ronald had never discovered the man's true background, he had done too much for the Ronald family to be dismissed. Ronald treated him as a guest of honor, offering the best of everything.
He also promised repeatedly that as long as this man could help elevate the Ronald family into the top four, anything he wanted would be granted. However, after all this time, the man had rarely asked for anything in return. That changed a few days ago when he suddenly sent someone to assassinate Eleanor.
Even after the attempt failed, he wasn't anxious. As if he had foreseen it all. He simply had a letter delivered at a banquet.
Then he arranged for Eleanor to come alone in the middle of the night. And now he was sending a letter containing the secret that could destroy her. Eleanor had been Gabriel's wife for five years.
She had led the fragmented Eleanor family businesses to dominate the southern market again. Even the northern markets were a third under her control.
She was a woman more capable than most men. What kind of fatal secret could someone like her possibly have? And how could this strange man know it?
As Ronald thought, he shot the letter out and quickly retreated with the thin man before anyone could approach. After reaching a safe place, Ronald let go of the man and walked toward the hidden vehicle.
As he stepped inside, the thin man asked, "Master Ronald, do you know Hannah?" "Hannah?" Ronald paused, putting one foot back on the ground and turning to look at him. "You mean the Bai family's daughter? The only one Gabriel has kept at his side these past three years? The one rumored to be most likely to become the second lady of the Gabriel household?"
"Yes," the man nodded.
Ronald studied him for a while, then suddenly chuckled. His eyes darkened as he asked, "Why are you so interested in the Gabriel family these days?" Every move this man made was aimed at the Gabriel household.
And not even at Gabriel himself. He kept targeting Eleanor.
Ronald couldn't figure out why. The thin man smiled, his grin turning slightly twisted.
"Master Ronald, I told you long ago, don't worry about what I'm doing. Everything I do is for your benefit. If you want to take down Gabriel, you must first handle Eleanor."
"Just think of everything I'm doing as helping the Ronald family rise and defeating Gabriel's side." Then his voice turned colder. "Or do you still not trust me after everything I've done for your family?"
Ronald smiled, hiding the emotion on his face, and no longer pressed him. "You're overthinking it. I didn't mean that. If you want to act, go ahead."
Ronald stepped into the car and sat down. "Hannah? Of course I know her."
The thin man entered the car as well. "Then I'll trouble you to arrange a private meeting with her."
"Make sure it's completely confidential. She loves Eleanor's husband so much, and I have a big gift to give her."
Gabriel Residence
Gabriel was still in Shen City investigating something about Bai Yueguang and hadn't returned yet. Eleanor didn't go back to the bedroom either. She leaned on the windowsill, sipping coffee to stay alert while waiting for news.
Around 3 a.m., Maid Yu returned, bringing a letter.
"The sender didn't show up. They only shot this letter over with an arrow." "Apologies, madam. They were hiding far away and very well prepared. We couldn't catch them."
Eleanor took the envelope and opened it. When she saw the contents, the slight weariness on her face vanished.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. The note read:
[Not male, not female. A monster or a freak? Surprised Gabriel could even kiss you. Tell me, Eleanor, if everyone in Anhai knew that Gabriel married such a creature, what would happen?]
Eleanor's fingers tightened on the armrest.
There was nothing else in the letter. "Madam? Are you all right?" Maid Yu and Maid Qiu asked in concern when they noticed her changing expression. But their eyes remained respectfully averted from the letter.
Eleanor didn't respond. She lowered her gaze and carefully folded the letter, which had been pierced by an arrow, and threw it into the fire in front of her.
The sender knew her body's secret. Eleanor was truly shocked.
Even within the Eleanor family, only her parents and older brother knew. Not even the nanny and housekeeper who raised her had ever found out.
After arriving here, she never allowed even her personal maids to assist her.
She bathed and dressed herself. Even during her wild days with Miguel, no one was ever allowed to touch her.
Gabriel was the only exception. But she couldn't believe he would leak such a thing.
Even if Gabriel hated her, he wouldn't stoop to such low methods.
He had no reason to do something so self-destructive. Then who was it?
Eleanor watched the letter slowly burn to ashes in the fireplace. After a long pause, she spoke softly.
"Look into which families held deep grudges against us when my brother was still in the country." "No—start with the Ronald family. See if they've had contact with anyone who has a strong grudge against us."
In her generation of the Eleanor family, only she and her brother remained.
Over a decade ago, her brother had returned to China with plans to rebuild the family's domestic businesses. Though the family had been overseas for generations, their roots were still at home.
But just before his return, the Eleanor family suffered a huge internal crisis. Several family branches had conspired with foreign and domestic forces.
The Eleanor family was nearly destroyed. Her parents died in that conflict.
Her brother had just come of age and was unfamiliar with everything. Their deaths were devastating for both siblings.
At that time, many people believed the Eleanor family would fall completely. But her brother and Eleanor survived.
She was still very young, so the heavy responsibilities fell on him.
Eleanor didn't know how he endured those years.
But he protected her from all harm. Not only that, he kept the Eleanor family's vast business intact.
Within two or three years, he learned to take control and led the family back to a peak position.
Once the foundation was stable, he began exacting revenge.
Eleanor, still a child, saw how exhausted he was every day. She wanted to help, so she started learning business and household management.
Fortunately, the Eleanor family had no bias against daughters. As long as someone had the family bloodline, they could inherit the legacy.
Her brother, who had adored her since birth, believed she could do anything. So he taught her everything he knew.
This is how Eleanor gained the ability to grow the family after returning to China.
And why she was able to secure the top seat in the southern and northern business worlds.
But both her brother's revenge and her own rise had offended many people.
Eleanor had to find them. She had to find out who could have known her secret and who was behind this scheme. "Yes," Maid Yu answered and left.
The next morning.
Eleanor had just finished breakfast when the doors of the Gabriel residence were suddenly pushed open.
A boy around seventeen or eighteen rushed in under the early morning sun. He ran quickly and directly toward Eleanor's location.
He had refined and handsome features, with a strong resemblance to Gabriel.
But his expression was far more lively and youthful.
Right now, his face showed clear concern and anxiety. He wore a school uniform and had obviously skipped class to come here.
Eleanor looked up and saw the young man running into the courtyard. Her expression softened. She smiled gently.
"Julian, skipped class again?"
Julian's eyes quickly scanned her from head to toe. Seeing she wasn't hurt, he finally relaxed and slowed down, stepping in front of her.
"Aunt Eleanor, I just heard yesterday that someone tried to kill you?"
Julian was the son of Gabriel's older sister, who had married into the Jiang family. He was now the young master of the Jiang household in the southern region.
After the Gabriel family's near collapse years ago, Mister Jing stopped caring for his daughter.
He also ignored the newborn Julian. Later, his daughter died from illness, leaving little Julian alone in the Marshal's estate.
When Eleanor returned to China with Gabriel and saw the scrawny, monkey-like child in the Jiang family's backyard, even Gabriel didn't recognize him at first.
Only after the Gabriel family rose again did Mister Jing start paying attention to Julian.
Gabriel also began personally teaching him. But due to Gabriel's cold and strict personality, Julian became timid in his presence.
He would even hold his breath and tremble in front of him. After watching this, Eleanor began preparing snacks and games for him once Gabriel's lessons ended.
Since then, Julian always came to her right after his tutoring sessions.