Chapter 32

At nightfall, the ancestral home of the Hampton family shimmered with a brilliance that echoed its storied past. The air was laden with anticipation as preparations for the banquet were underway. Eleanor, poised to change into her gown, hesitated upon hearing a familiar voice drifting in from outside her window, instantly tensing with unconscious apprehension. It was Patrick Hopkin. Drawing nearer, Eleanor gently parted the curtain and peered into the gathering dusk. There, beside the woods, stood Patrick, tall and elegant in his black suit, his demeanor both somber and striking. A smile played on his lips, deceptive in its charm, as he stood beside Catherina, who clung to him affectionately. Eleanor's teeth clenched in bitter disdain. Beneath his handsome facade lurked a heart of malice—a refined scoundrel. Catherina's voice rang out, unnervingly loud in the stillness, as she addressed Patrick with a familiarity that sent shivers down Eleanor's spine. "Patrick, I haven't seen you for