Chapter 630

Chapter 630

Lucas and Eleanor spent some time bringing each other up to speed on their separate strategies since they'd parted ways.

Once they'd compared notes, the current situation became much clearer.

Though on the surface, they still appeared to be at someone else's mercy, Eleanor felt they actually had some good news to work with.

The enemy's biggest scheme—hypnotizing Lucas—had already failed. Better yet, Lucas could now use his fake hypnosis to draw out Clifford's true intentions.

As for Eleanor's side, she'd successfully deceived everyone. The entire city now believed she genuinely wanted to divorce Lucas. Whoever was plotting against them behind the scenes must be feeling pretty smug right now.

The more confident they became, the more likely they'd drop their guard—and that's when Eleanor could spot their weaknesses.

The two exchanged a knowing smile. "Looks like we're really on our own this time."

After all, Lucas was pretending to be hypnotized, and Eleanor was pretending to want a divorce.

They'd agreed that the fewer people who knew, the less chance something could go wrong. It would also make their performance more convincing.

So even David was in the dark, genuinely believing their relationship had hit the rocks.

They shared a brief conspiratorial laugh.

"Never thought we'd have to play the bitter couple again," Eleanor said with dark humor. "Except this time, you're the heartless jerk. David and the others are probably cursing you out behind your back."

Lucas gave a rueful laugh, then pulled Eleanor close with a low murmur. "Looks like you're the only person in the world who knows how wronged I am. So, how exactly do you plan to make it up to me?"

His warm palm wandered mischievously along her waist.

Eleanor's cheeks flushed slightly. They'd been apart for so long—and while she was still hesitating, her body had already responded to his familiar touch.

She turned her head and kissed him back.

The temperature in the room began to rise.

The spark between them caught fire instantly, their bodies entwining, becoming increasingly inseparable.

But just then, an untimely knock at the door shattered their focus.

Lucas pulled Eleanor back toward him, irritated. "Ignore it."

Soon enough, Eleanor's attention was recaptured by Lucas's kiss, her thoughts swept back into the heat of the moment. She furrowed her brow and struggled briefly before giving in, her mind quickly consumed by his passionate embrace.

But the doorbell outside kept ringing.

Not only did it refuse to stop—it grew more insistent, relentlessly interrupting them.

Lucas's expression darkened, his entire body radiating suppressed frustration. With a cold face, he rebuttoned Eleanor's blouse, earning himself a teasing laugh from her.

She sat on the couch, watching Lucas head toward the door with that stern look on his face. Deliberately provocative, she hooked her finger under his chin and pulled him down for a light kiss.

Lucas's eyes darkened. "I'll deal with you when I get back."

Outside, Wendy glanced impatiently at her watch and clicked her tongue. "Why isn't he answering the door?"

She'd already been waiting for ten minutes.

If she wasn't worried about Lucas slipping out of her control after leaving, she wouldn't have bothered coming to see Eleanor at all.

Now, seeing the door remain stubbornly closed, her suspicion and impatience grew. She couldn't help thinking, "I heard they used to have a great relationship. What if they've already talked things through?"

That absolutely couldn't happen!

Wendy's anxiety spiked.

If one meeting was all it took for them to reconcile, where would that leave her? She'd been waiting for her chance to replace Eleanor!

If her plans fell apart now, Wendy simply couldn't accept it.

When the door finally opened, Wendy didn't think twice—she pushed her way inside without ceremony.

Meeting Lucas's puzzled gaze, Wendy explained carefully:

"I was watching the news in my hotel room and saw that Ms. York seems to be planning divorce proceedings. I just couldn't stop worrying—what if this is all still because of me? Because of some misunderstanding?"

She looked at Lucas with concern. "I was afraid you two might fight, so I wanted to come explain things to Eleanor myself. Things really aren't what she thinks. We're completely innocent."

Lucas studied her for a long moment.

As if moved by Wendy's thoughtfulness, he said gently, "Don't worry. You haven't done anything wrong. Even if something did happen, it wouldn't be your fault."

He frowned slightly, as if thoroughly exasperated with Eleanor.

Even when mentioning her, his tone turned cold and hard. "Whatever misunderstanding we have is because Eleanor likes to overthink things."

Wendy suppressed a smile.

Seeing that Lucas was still under her spell, she became even more determined not to leave. She wanted to provoke Eleanor.

So she asked, "Where is Eleanor? Since I came by uninvited, I should at least say hello to her."

Wendy was led into the living room.

She immediately noticed that although Eleanor was trying hard to appear calm and composed, the tense atmosphere in the room couldn't fool anyone.

These two had been in the middle of a heated argument before she arrived, hadn't they?

Wendy's gaze swept the room discreetly.

Her eyes suddenly locked onto a shattered vase in the corner.

Her inner glee intensified. This proved they hadn't just been arguing—they'd nearly come to blows!

The more fractured their relationship, the better her own chances.

Delighted, Wendy approached Eleanor with exaggerated warmth. "Ms. York, I've heard so much about you even when I was abroad. They say you're incredibly successful. My father always tells me I should learn from you."

As she spoke, she sat down on the side of the couch closer to Lucas, acting as if they were intimately familiar.

She said in an almost coquettish tone, "Lucas sometimes says I'm silly too. I guess I'll never measure up to you in this lifetime. I'm just a useless little thing who can't do anything right."

"That's not true." Lucas lowered his voice, correcting her with displeasure. "You're kind and pure-hearted, not useless. You're perfectly fine just as you are."

Then Lucas cast a meaningful glance in Eleanor's direction.

He let out a cold laugh. "Unlike certain women who don't know when they're well off. Women who are too aggressive never find anyone who likes them. Who could stand that kind of person?"

Eleanor exploded. She slammed her hand on the table and confronted Lucas. "Lucas, you'd better have some conscience! Wasn't it you who begged me to marry you? Aren't you afraid of karma?"

"And you!"

Eleanor turned to Wendy with a contemptuous laugh.

Her gaze was full of disdain. "Where did you even crawl out from, trying to stir up trouble in front of me? You two are nothing but a pair of cheating scumbags."

Wendy had never been so insulted in her entire life.

Tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She asked Eleanor with immense hurt, "Do you have some kind of prejudice against me? Lucas and I are just ordinary friends. I don't understand why you're misinterpreting our relationship like this."