Chapter 9 A sharp , bloodcurdling scream pierced through the villa . Looking down at Eleanor writhing on the ground , clutching her leg and howling in pain , Lena stood frozen , her mind completely blank . It took her a long moment to come to her senses . Heart pounding in her chest , she rushed downstairs . But Hunter was already there . She didn't know when he had arrived , but he was now holding Eleanor tightly in his arms , his face filled with undisguised concern . " Mr. Langdon , " Eleanor whimpered , voice trembling through sobs , " I accidentally startled the cat , and it fell off the balcony and died . Ms. Steele got furious , slapped me , and pushed me off the balcony . She said I should die to make up for it . " Hunter's fury boiled over as she choked out her tearful version of events . The veins in his forehead bulged with rage . He turned to face the approaching Lena , face dark as thunder , not giving her a chance to explain . " You're upset over a cat ? It's dead , so what ? Lena , how could you push someone off the balcony over that ! " Lena had imagined countless ways this moment could unfold on her way down . Maybe he'd be shocked . Perhaps he'd doubt Eleanor's story . But she had never expected that he would believe her so quickly , so completely . 011371 Her blood ran cold as she stared at him , stunned . " She said I pushed her , and you just believed it ? Hunter , we've known each other for years . Is that really who you think I am ? " Hunter wanted to believe her . But when he looked down at the pool of blood on the ground , reason slipped away . " In this situation , how do you expect me to believe you ? Are you saying she threw herself off the balcony to frame you ? Lena , what happened to you ? I don't even recognize you anymore ! " Faced with his scolding , Lena couldn't say a word . She took a deep breath , stepped forward , and pulled out her phone , wanting to show him the recording . But the second Eleanor let out another cry of pain , Hunter completely lost patience . He shoved Lena aside and carried Eleanor toward the car . She fell hard , slamming her head against the edge of the flowerbed . Blood immediately gushed from the wound on her forehead . Warm red trickled down her cheek . Her whole body trembled in pain , and cold sweat soaked her clothes . As she watched his figure disappear down the road , she clutched her bleeding forehead and let out a bitter , broken laugh . The sky gradually darkened . She forced herself to stand , made her way back to the bedroom , and cleaned and bandaged her wound . + For the next two days , Hunter didn't come home . Not a call . Not a message . Instead , Eleanor kept sending her videos and photos of Hunter feeding her medicine , buying her gifts , and watching over her at the hospital with gentle care . 01 : 130 Lena saved every single one . She stored them on a flash drive , along with the earlier messages and that key recording . The day she left , the skies were clear . She went in person to the immigration office and picked up all the finalized documents . On the way back , she called her parents and told them when her flight would land . The moment she opened the front door , she saw Hunter standing there . His expression remained cold and gloomy . He stared at her for a long time before finally speaking . " Lena , when are you planning to apologize to my assistant ? " Lena met his gaze without flinching . Her voice was calm , like still water . " I'm not planning to . " Hearing her refusal , Hunter's face grew even darker . His voice carried barely restrained anger . " Fine . Then until you're ready to apologize sincerely , we don't need to see each other again . " With that , he turned and got into his car without looking back . The sound of the engine starting completely drowned out Lena's quiet reply . " We really won't see each other again . " She watched the car disappear down the road , then turned and quickly went upstairs . 01:13 She placed the flash drive and a sticky note that read " Let's break up " on the bedside table . Then she picked up her suitcase and walked out of the villa . The sunlight outside was warm and golden , wrapping around her like a silent blessing . Before boarding , she looked at the country and city she had called home for over 20 years . " Goodbye . " Or more accurately - goodbye forever , " she thought , a faint smile touched her lips . 89.94