The Heart System Chapter 536

Yet, that video had blindsided me completely. How in the world did Luna snag my number? I was dead certain we hadn't swapped any info. Carrie must've slipped it to her. That lady was pure chaos. Even in the restroom back then, she'd left me doubting my own thoughts. Totally insane.

I glanced at the clock. Plenty of time remained before lights out. Eleanor popped into my head once more. With all the drama unfolding, no chance she was fine. Charlotte had sent her home from duties already, so likely she was by herself.

Time to check up on her.

"I’m gonna visit Eleanor," I announced, propping myself up a touch. "You guys wanna come?"

Glances passed between the trio.

Kim gave a shrug and a nod first. "Sure. Why not."

Tessa looked over at the kitchen. "What about you, Minne?"

Minne continued loading the dishwasher before replying. "I should finish this. I don’t want to leave it undone."

"If we’re going, you’re coming too," I interrupted. "Just change into something casual. We’ll wait."

She wiped her hands with a towel, pausing briefly. "I don’t want to keep you waiting, Master."

"I’m not going anywhere," I shot back, reclining as Jasmine rested her head on my lap once more. "Just be quick."

"Okay," she murmured softly, then dashed away.

Her departure brought Mana to mind. What she'd done... terminating Minne’s pregnancy that way. That wasn't her call to make. Not her choice at all.

Briefly, I pondered if sticking with Dierella would've changed things. She might've been less volatile than Mana. But... no point dwelling. At least the girls were protected from Chase now. The idea of that creep gaining more leverage sent chills down my spine.

"Oh, I saw Emma at work today," Kim mentioned, snapping me from my reverie.

Jasmine tilted her head a fraction. "You didn’t tell us that."

"I asked her if Nala had sent anything to Jack," Kim went on.

I sat up slightly. "And?"

"She didn’t," Kim replied. "Apparently Emma talked her out of it. Told her guys like that don’t stop at one thing."

A breath escaped me that I'd been holding without knowing. "I told her the exact same thing. She didn’t listen to me."

"Emma’s her friend," Jasmine noted evenly.

"What am I, then?" I questioned, sharper than planned. "I’d like to think I’m more than that."

Tessa bobbed her head in support. "He’s not wrong. She wouldn’t even be CEO without him."

Kim lifted a hand a bit. "Let’s not turn this into a whole thing. All I’m saying is she hasn’t sent anything. Yet."

That "yet" hung like a weight, though it offered some relief.

"Good," I grumbled. "At least she’s thinking straight now."

Tessa reclined once more. "Still doesn’t make sense. If he already has a video, basically a sextape, why would he care about getting a nude from her?"

Jasmine murmured without lifting her gaze. "It’s not about that. It’s about control. Making someone do something they don’t want to do. That’s what people like him enjoy."

Kim nodded deliberately. "Yeah... that tracks."

Tessa grinned abruptly and eyed me. "Like how Evan, when having breakfast, asked us to suck his—"

"Nope," I jumped in right away. "Don’t finish that. I asked. I didn’t force anything."

Jasmine stretched up to pinch my cheeks gently. "With that face? You really think we had a choice with those cute-puppy eyes?"

I grinned lightly. "Maybe you really need that banana, Jasmine."

"Shut up," she retorted, snapping my forehead.

"Ow."

"Jerk."

Moments later, Minne emerged from the hall. She'd switched to a simple black tee and snug pants that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair remained a tad wet, cascading freely down her shoulders. She appeared far more at ease out of the maid attire.

Kim rose first, dusting off her thighs from the chair. Jasmine trailed her, and I stood next. Tessa pocketed her phone with a soft exhale and fell in step.

I grabbed the remote, switched off the TV, then moved to the door. A quick pocket check confirmed the keycard, so I swung it open and stepped out, sliding into my shoes.

"Let’s take the stairs," Kim suggested, shutting the door after us.

Tessa let out a groan at once. "I’m tired."

"It’s one floor, you walking pillow," Jasmine fired back. "Move."

"Yeah, yeah..."

Down the stairs we went. Footsteps reverberated softly in the silent stairwell during our descent. Soon enough, we hit the lower level.

I led the way, halting before Eleanor’s door and rapping twice.

Behind me, the girls hung back patiently. Tessa had her arms folded across her chest. Jasmine tilted slightly toward her, propping an elbow on her shoulder. Kim remained at ease, eyes fixed on the door.

No response came.

I rapped harder on the door this time. Was she out there? No, impossible.

Several seconds ticked by until noises stirred from inside. Something shifted about, followed by unhurried footsteps nearing. The door creaked open, revealing Eleanor on the threshold.

She seemed freshly awakened from sleep. Strands of hair stuck out in disarray, her eyes bearing a drowsy weight.

"Oh, hey," I greeted. "Were you sleeping?"

She lightly rubbed one eye. "Was scrolling on my phone... fell asleep on the couch." Then her eyes flicked beyond me to the others, a small smile appearing. "Hey. Come in."

"Thanks," I replied, stepping out of the way as Jasmine went in ahead.

"You look better," Jasmine said to her upon entering. "That eye’s healing."

Eleanor offered a faint smile. "Thanks to you. Jasmine, right?"

"Yep. That’s Tessa and Kim."

"Nice to see you all again," Eleanor said, shutting the door after everyone had entered.

She guided us to the living room. We settled down effortlessly. Jasmine and I claimed the double couch. Eleanor took the center spot on the bigger one, Kim and Tessa flanking her on both sides. Minne slipped quietly into the armchair by the TV, observing it all with silent vigilance.