Chapter 245: Chapter 245

After Eleanor Sterling left the Sterling Family, it was already late.

Even though she didn’t get what she wanted, it was still a victory. At least she made Faye Sterling take a hard fall, so Eleanor decided to celebrate.

Well then, let’s have hot pot at home.

So, she went out to buy ingredients.

When choosing the hot pot base, she instinctively picked a double-flavored pot. After putting it into the shopping cart, Eleanor paused for a moment.

Wait, why is she counting Alaric Faulkner in? This is clearly a celebration for her and the two kids.

That bastard Alaric should just stay out of it.

Eleanor picked up the double-flavored base and put it back on the shelf, then grabbed a super spicy one instead.

She was about to put it into the cart but hesitated for a moment.

This time, she did use Alaric Faulkner’s influence; otherwise, those suppliers wouldn’t have been so respectful and helpful, and things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

Besides, the fact that so many people showed up to support was also thanks to Alaric Faulkner.

Now that she’s done using Alaric, would it be too callous to just throw him aside? Like a heartless player.

Maybe... she should...

Thinking it over, Eleanor simply bought both bases. If Alaric sees them, she’d just say she accidentally put them in the cart, and it wasn’t on purpose for him.

Yup, that’s the plan.

In the end, Eleanor bought a whole bunch of things and then glanced at the time, which happened to be school dismissal time.

She sent a message to Alaric Faulkner.

Eleanor Sterling: "President Faulkner, will you happen to bring Estelle Sterling back tonight?"

Soon, a reply came back.

Alaric Faulkner: "Of course, what’s up? Do you need a ride too?"

Just as Alaric Faulkner’s message came through, Micah Moss’s message also popped up on her phone.

Micah Moss: "Eleanor, how’s everything on your end? Need me to send you home?"

Eleanor Sterling: "..."

She looked at her phone with an exasperated look, feeling like she was caught in a mess.

Eleanor sighed helplessly, then directly declined both offers and decided to take a cab home herself!

Once she got home, Eleanor started preparing things.

Washing vegetables, setting the table, chopping food...

Soon, she had a table full of delicious-looking food that made one’s mouth water.

When Alaric Faulkner returned home with the two kids, the first thing he saw was Eleanor’s busy figure.

He couldn’t help but smile. She now looked like a perfect wife and mother, a sight he was reluctant to let go of and wanted to keep forever.

Hearing the noise, Eleanor looked over.

"Wash your hands, dinner is ready."

Estelle Sterling looked at the table full of food and exclaimed, "Sister Eleanor, did you strike it rich or something?"

Eleanor Sterling responded with a hum, "More or less."

She’s just not sure when the money from the bet will come in.

Seeing Eleanor’s look, Alaric Faulkner chuckled lightly, "I’ll make sure they settle it quickly."

Eleanor nodded, unafraid that he would renege.

Alaric’s eyes flickered. In reality, Master Anne didn’t dare owe him money.

But if he gave the money to Eleanor now, wouldn’t that reveal he has money? After all, his current persona was a pitiful, deposed CEO driven out by Mrs. Faulkner, with all accounts frozen.

Naturally, he needed to maintain this façade.

The few of them sat at the dining table. Eleanor took out the hot pot bases and pretended to be surprised, saying, "Oops, why did I buy two packs? Which should I use?"

Caleb Faulkner immediately said, "Mommy Eleanor, my daddy can’t eat spicy stuff."

Estelle Sterling also nodded, "Yeah, last time he ate spicy with us and got sick. Did you forget? Plus, his injury hasn’t healed yet."

"Really? I forgot," Eleanor feigned realization and said, "Then let’s go with the double-flavored pot."

Alaric Faulkner slowly curved his lips into a smile, his expression content. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel⸺fire.net

He had seen through everything, the woman who says one thing but means another.

The four of them ended up having a surprisingly harmonious dinner, with a hint of warmth lingering, and Eleanor did not counter Alaric Faulkner anymore.

Estelle Sterling’s eyes sparkled, "Hold on, don’t eat yet, I want to take a picture."

Eleanor Sterling was a bit speechless, "You’re so young, and already saying the camera eats first?"

Estelle giggled without saying anything.

But he took several pictures from various angles, even capturing half of Eleanor and Alaric in the frame.

After taking the pictures, he looked at the photos showing a table full of food and the half bodies of a man and a woman.

Even though you couldn’t tell who they were, it was evident there was a man involved.

Estelle smirked mischievously.

His photography skills were superb; now it was time to help Eleanor fend off other suitors.

Estelle selected two photos, one of the whole table of food and one with Eleanor and Alaric in it.

Then he added a caption: "Wow, hot pot tonight! With my buddy and Papa Faulkner, so happy to be with family!"

Then he set it to be invisible to Eleanor.

Caleb Faulkner curiously leaned over, "Hey Estelle, what did you post?"

Estelle sneaked a peek for Caleb, who immediately gave Estelle a thumbs-up.

Impressive, truly impressive.

Alaric Faulkner, who was friends with Estelle, saw his sneaky, mischievous grin and took out his phone.

The first thing he saw was Estelle’s latest post.

His eyes deepened, feeling good, and he liked the post with his account.

On the other side, Estelle was happily looking through the comments.

Seeing Alaric’s plain black WeChat avatar, Estelle grinned.

Currently, Alaric’s WeChat account was a mystery to Eleanor; she had no idea it was him.

Estelle kept refreshing his timeline.

Why hasn’t it come yet?

Soon, loads of comments appeared.

Micah Moss: "Eat more, smiley face jpg."

Anne Adler: "Damn, Master’s already living the wifey life? No way! Holy shit!! Are they living together?"

Liam Keene: "Oh wow, truly happy, feeling gratified."

Anne: "Gosh, is my boss in love? Who’s that man?"

Estelle’s eyes fixed on the reply from the account named just "Hawke," and his face turned pale with fear.

Oh no, he forgot to block him!

Micah Moss is no threat, but this person is dangerous.

Instantly, Estelle hurriedly deleted the post. After this futile gesture, he patted his chest.

It should be fine, right? That person shouldn’t care.

At this point, messages kept coming in, with people asking Estelle about the photos, wanting to know who the person in the picture was, and what connection they had to Eleanor.

Estelle consistently replied: "No comment."

Seeing Estelle buried in his phone, Eleanor tapped her chopsticks and said sternly, "Estelle Sterling, no phones at dinner."

"Alright, alright, I won’t."

Estelle locked his phone and focused on eating.