Now They Want My Forgiveness - Chapter 238: Chapter 238

A glance at the clock told her it was well past noon. Shoving her work aside, she grabbed her assistant and walked out of the office. They went to a high-end mall and wandered from store to store.
"What on earth do you buy a man like Jordan?" Stella mused out loud to her new assistant, Nola White.
Nola, who had a general idea of Stella's complicated life, offered a suggestion. "Maybe a watch? It might cost a bit more—"
"That's not an issue," Stella cut in immediately. "Honestly, the more it costs, the better. After everything he's done for me, I want to get him something incredible."
So, Nola helped Stella pick out a watch. Stella knew next to nothing about this stuff, only that the highest price tag didn't always mean the best watch.
Good thing Nola really knew her stuff when it came to watches. With her help, Stella found the perfect watch for Jordan and was very pleased with her choice.
As they walked out of the store, Nola asked, "Are you going to take it to him now, Ms. Hayes?"
"No," Stella said. "I think I'll give it to him at home tonight." A knowing smile played on Nola's lips.
But as she walked, a sudden sense of unease washed over her. It felt like something bad was coming. 'What could possibly go wrong?' she thought to herself, trying to shake it off. 'Don't be paranoid.'
That afternoon, she threw herself back into her work, and the feeling was quickly forgotten.
Eleanor got a call from Emily. Emily said she wanted to meet up and talk about Anna.
Eleanor figured Emily might have some dirt on Anna, so she decided to go. While Mary was taking her afternoon nap, she slipped out of the house.
Eleanor hardly ever went anywhere alone since walking was tough for her. Jordan had set her up with an electric wheelchair to make things easier. In that way, she could get around even when no one was with her.
When Eleanor arrived at the meeting spot, she saw Emily. Anna was there, too. Right then, Eleanor got it. Emily hadn't been the one who wanted to meet. Anna was behind this whole thing.
Thinking back to the scene at the hospital, Eleanor knew exactly what Anna was up to. She guided the wheelchair over to Anna. "You wanted to see me?" she asked.
Anna saw Eleanor and flashed a fake smile. She acted like they were best friends and reached out to grab Eleanor's arm. "Grandma, I'm so glad you came."
Eleanor calmly brushed Anna's hand away. "Cut the act, Anna. What do you want?"
Anna dropped the act. "Grandma, I came to you because I need you to talk to Stella for me. For my parents, for my brother. No matter what's happened, we're still a family.
"I broke off my engagement with Lionel because his family wouldn't lift a finger to help us. It's one thing if they don't want to help with the company...
"But with my parents and Max in such a mess, he still chose to do nothing. I couldn't stay with a man like that."
Eleanor remained silent, watching the one-woman show with a blank face.
"I'm with Monroe now," Anna continued. "I know he would help me if I asked. I just know it. But we only just started dating. If I ask him for money right away, he'll think I'm a gold-digger. You know how it looks.
"Grandma, I tried talking to Stella, but she won't listen. Stella only listens to you. Can you talk to her for me? Just ask her to cover my medical bills for now. Once Monroe and I are solid, I promise I won't ask for anything."
Anna reached for her hand again. Eleanor snatched hers back. "Anna," she said, her voice cold, "do you really take me for a fool?"
"Grandma, why would I do that? I know you and Stella have issues with me. But you know I really care about my parents and Max, right?" Anna said, her voice full of innocence.
Eleanor shot her a skeptical look. 'No, something's off. Whatever Anna is really here for, it isn't this simple,' she thought.