All Chapters of My Contract Marriage with the CEO: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The lunch hour had just begun when Eleanor's phone vibrated on her desk.She set her pen down, reached for her phone, and found a message from Bella.[El, let's go to the mall this afternoon! There's a launch for your favorite perfume brand, plus I heard they're giving out free testers for the first visitors. Let's hang out—we've barely had time to catch up lately.]Eleanor smiled softly as she read the message. It had been a very long time since she had simply enjoyed a casual outing without worrying about work or the affairs of her contract marriage. She typed a quick reply.[Count me in, Bel! Give me a moment though, I'll update you shortly.]After sending the text, Eleanor opened another chat—the only contact she still labeled formally despite his status as her lawful husband.[Mr. Richter, may I go to the mall with Bella after work? Just for a short while, she mentioned there's a perfume launch event.]A reply came shortly after, curt as usual.[You may. Do not stay out too late.

Eleanor gently took Bella's arm, pulling her slightly away from the bustling mall crowd. "Bel, let's head to a coffee shop first. I promise I'll tell you everything there."Bella didn't refuse, but her steps were stiff—as if the trust that usually flowed so naturally between them now had to be fought for all over again.They walked in silence toward a small coffee shop in a quiet corner of the mall, far from the shopping center's main bustle.The moment they sat across from each other at a secluded corner table, Bella folded her arms across her chest, fixing her eyes unblinkingly on Eleanor."I'm listening, El," Bella said softly, though her tone still held an unresolved tension. "Now, spill it."Eleanor drew a deep breath, her fingers clutching the edge of the tablecloth before she finally found the courage to look back at her friend. "Before I begin, I need you to promise me one thing, Bel.""What?""Don't tell anyone. Please, I'm serious." Eleanor's voice carried a desperate plea,

The shopping bags were placed casually onto the pantry counter the moment they arrived home.Eleanor immediately rolled up her shirt sleeves and began unpacking the newly bought ingredients one by one, while Archie removed his suit jacket and hung it over the back of a chair."Mr. Richter, you can sit down over there," Eleanor said, pointing toward a chair at the pantry table with her chin, both hands already busy washing chicken breasts under running water. "I won't take long to cook. Or, if you'd like to go up to the room, that's completely fine as well."Archie didn't sit down immediately, nor did he leave the kitchen. He stood at the threshold for a moment, watching Eleanor move effortlessly from one side of the counter to the other—grabbing a cutting board, arranging spices, and humming softly to herself without even realizing it.There was something about those movements that felt oddly familiar to Archie, though he couldn't quite pinpoint where the feeling came from.Eventually

That morning, the atmosphere in the planning division was noticeably livelier than usual. Ever since the new manager officially took over the position previously held by Abigail, the work environment on the fifth floor had shifted into a far healthier and more spirited space."Eleanor," called Margaret—the new manager—stepping toward Eleanor's cubicle with a work folder in hand. In her late forties, her manner of speaking was firm yet approachable—a stark contrast to the intimidating aura Abigail always left behind.Eleanor looked up from her computer screen. "Yes, Ms. Margaret?""Today I need to inspect Richter Company's newest construction site in the eastern district. You'll be coming with me," Margaret said, her tone sounding more like an invitation than an order. "I've noticed your work records have been quite neat these past few weeks. It's a good opportunity to learn and observe field processes firsthand to broaden your perspective."Eleanor's eyes widened with delight. "Me, ma

"Yes, Ms. Margaret." Eleanor replied quickly. She intended to leave immediately, but heard Paula speak once more."A home-wrecker suits you well, Eleanor." Paula's voice rang out sharply from behind, laden with a cynicism deliberately projected loud enough to be clearly heard. "You should know your place. You are nobody to Julian, so don't expect to take what isn't yours."Eleanor halted her steps for a fraction of a second, her chest aching at the baseless accusation. Yet she chose neither to turn around nor to retaliate. She simply took a slow breath, reasserting control over herself before replying in a voice kept steadily calm."Excuse me," Eleanor said briefly, then stepped out of the tent without looking back.Yet only a few steps away, Paula's voice echoed once more, this time louder and laced with intense emphasis. "You will never steal Julian from me, Eleanor! You will never be better than me!"Those words struck Eleanor's ears right as she emerged from the tent's shadow into