Chapter 8 A few minutes later , another message arrived , laced with provocation . "Ms. Steele , I almost forgot that today's my birthday ! That's why Hunter brought me to the auction . He bid on every piece of jewelry I liked , and in a couple of days , we're flying to Bali to celebrate . I'm having the best 24th birthday ever . Hope you're happy too ! " Attached was a selfie of her sitting in the passenger seat , showing off her new jewelry . Lena read through the message in silence . Then , without a word , she pulled out a suitcase and started packing . She only kept the essentials . Daily items , unused clothes , bags , and anything she didn't need were gone . Every gift she'd ever received from Hunter over the years went straight into the trash . Over the next three or four days , she meticulously cleared out every trace of herself from that house . During that time , Eleanor kept sending her photos and videos from their trip , which were sweet , intimate , and showy . Lena ignored them all . She didn't reply once . When Hunter finally returned and saw the half - empty villa , he froze . " Lena , why is the house missing so much stuff ? " Her expression was calm . " We had rats a couple of days ago . I asked someone to pack things up , so nothing would get ruined . " 01 : 130 He looked around the room . From what he could tell , only her things were missing . He frowned and was about to ask more when Eleanor suddenly interrupted him . " Mr. Langdon , here are the documents you need to review today . Please take a look . " Hunter had indeed fallen behind on work during their trip . He nodded and took the files back to his study without another word . Lena didn't care whether they were really discussing business or something else . She walked out to the balcony alone . There , she knelt beside the cat she had raised for years and fed it for the last time . While she was tending to the cat , she heard footsteps behind her . She turned and saw Eleanor approaching . Calmly , without letting it show , she opened her phone and started recording . " I must admit , I kind of admire you , " Eleanor began , voice dripping with mockery . " Your man's already moved on , and you still pretend like nothing's happened . How long can you keep lying to yourself ? I've sent you so much proof that Hunter loves me now . And you still won't back down . He's been with you for eight years and still hasn't proposed , but it only took me three months to make him fall for me head over heels . Do you really think you can win against me ? " Lena said nothing . She knew this was just another attempt to provoke her . So no matter what Eleanor said , she remained completely silent . But that silence , indifferent and cold , felt like a slap to Eleanor's face . 01:13 The more she talked , the more enraged she became . Until finally , she snapped . " You like playing dumb that much ? Fine , let me spell it out . On your anniversary , I knew Hunter would come to save me . That's why I had someone sabotage the chandelier . You're lucky it didn't kill you . But remember this . Luck doesn't last forever . If you don't step aside , I won't stop coming after you . " At that , Lena finally looked up at her eyes filled with a complex , unreadable emotion . " So ? You came here today , what else are you planning to do ? " Eleanor smiled smugly and walked over to the balcony railing . She scooped up the sleeping cat and began to squeeze . Lena's heart dropped . Instinctively , she lunged forward to pry her hands off , trying to rescue the crying , struggling cat . But Eleanor just smirked and shoved her aside , then hurled the cat over the edge of the third - floor balcony . The moment the cat disappeared from view , something inside Lena snapped . Heat surged through her chest . Without thinking , she raised her hand and slapped Eleanor across the face . A red welt bloomed instantly across her cheek , but Eleanor didn't get angry . She just laughed . Eyes gleaming triumphantly , she leaned in and said , " You asked what I came here for , right ? Well , here's your answer : I will jump off this balcony . What do you think ? Will Hunter believe you were trying to kill me ? " And with that , she gave Lena a mocking smile and then flung herself off the balcony .