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Chapter 85: Guilt in Gilded Gloves

Author: Emel Emerald
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-10 00:55:42

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Blackwood Mansion – Two Days After the Party

Eleanor stirred honey into her tea with economical poise, shoulders squared, face a mask.

In the back, Mr. Blackwood's guests lingered in the hall, and in the subdued clinking of glasses during dinner afterwards. The house was a museum of overwrought silence — where all was spotless, but electricity lingered in the air.

For Nathaniel had started to ask questions.

Because Harrison was a disaster.

Because the numbers weren't adding up.

Because Leya wasn't cracking as they'd hoped.

And at the bottom line of pressure somewhere, Eleanor realized:

> The heat was coming her way.

She hadn't expected Leya to speak. Hadn't expected Leya to stand in the ballroom like a half-guilt, blackened spectre and say "I embezzled only $50,000."

She hadn't expected anyone likely to remember the figures.

But Nathaniel's head was a safe. And safes, Eleanor remembered, were opened before they exploded to kingdom come.

So now, she'd push blame aside
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