Chapter 11 Spurious Woman

• Nevertheless, she could not let herself walk away empty-handed. She had a binding contract with Anais where there would be a financial penalty for failure to deliver on what was requested.
• It was an outcome Eleanor could ill-afford, so she had no choice but to turn to Casper.
• He raised his eyebrows when he took the piece of paper over from her and read the numbers written on it. “How would I know whether you would honor your word?”
• “Rest assured, Mr. Beaumont, that I’m only after the money. Once I have it, I will destroy all of the photos.”
• She kept her composure and finished what she had to say before she turned and left. After all, she had no desire to squander more time here than she already had.
• Casper cast his eyes in her direction until she had long disappeared from view.
• He remembered seeing this same resolve from her seven years ago.
• That night, this girl sat blindfolded before him. Even as her lithe body trembled, she insisted on keeping a straight face. He found it to be laughable, and at the same time, piteous.
• Men were always sympathetic to this sort of girl.
• Even the most aloof person had a soft spot.
• And it was no different for him.
• When Casper snapped out of his thoughts, he got to his feet and prepared to leave. Just then, at the corner of his eye, he spotted a card left lying on the carpet.
• On closer inspection, he discovered it to be an identity card belonging to that young woman.
• The woman in the photo had the corners of her lips raised to the camera. Her beautiful eyes were bright and full of zest.
• It was a heartwarming smile; a great one, as a matter of fact.
• He allowed his eyes to linger upon the photo for a while more before he called his assistant. “Gather the information of that girl from seven years ago, Henry. I want it on my table by tomorrow.”
• “Yes, Mr. Beaumont.”
• Casper appeared contemplative as he turned his attention back to the photo on the card.
• Outside the hotel’s entrance.
• Eleanor walked out of there as fast as her legs could carry her. Although she finally managed to get her pulse back in check, she remained a little jittery inside.
• She was shocked by her own audacity for having the gall to bargain with Casper Beaumont.
• Under those circumstances, she had few alternatives. She had to find a way to be accountable to Anais somehow. The company would also be looking to her for answers.
• She made her way to an inconspicuous corner before she pulled out her phone. The records showed that she had more than a few missed calls, with some from the company and the others from Anais.
• Eleanor dreaded to imagine how mad the woman would be at her for the number of times she failed to pick up.
• If the client were to pursue compensation for last night’s botched job, she wondered how much that was going to set her back.
• Just thinking about it gave her a splitting headache.
• “Oh dear, isn’t this Eleanor Shelby?”
• Just as Eleanor was about to return the calls, a woman’s shrill derision blared out from beside her.
• It took her by surprise. She turned in the direction of the voice to see that it belonged to Suri, her beloved step-sister. With her face meticulously made-up, she was dressed in a posh evening gown which exuded an air of refinement.
• When her father passed on seven years ago, Scarlet absconded with all the money and helped link Suri up with an entertainment company.
• Part of those ill-gotten gains went into financing cosmetic procedures for her step-sister’s face. With her striking new appearance and the backing of the company, she quickly found success as one of the hottest television stars there was, with an annual income estimated to be in the billions.
• Suri Van Rossum was now a glamorous celebrity with the world at her feet and a pretty boyfriend in the form of the top leading man - Tyrell Rice. On the other hand, Eleanor, as she was, could not hold a candle to her.
• Her now-famous step-sister scrutinized her before she sneered haughtily. “My, my, what a sorry sight you’ve become! Aren’t you embarrassed strutting around in these bogus threads?”
• Eleanor frowned. She doubted that the clothing Casper prepared for her could possibly be fakes.
• The truth might be closer to Suri thinking so because she believed that there was no way Eleanor could have afforded them.
• At once, Eleanor’s face darkened as she goaded her step-sister in kind, “Oh yeah? How come you’re here by your lonesome self today? Where’s that cute boyfriend of yours?”
• “He’s been a little busy,” Suri replied as she twiddled her thumb.
• “Is that so? Was he not able to make time for his own girlfriend, or was he not willing to?”
• That seemed to do the trick as it wiped the smirk off Suri’s pathetically smug face.