Chapter 894

Eloise knew it would be difficult. Derrick and Stephanie were as stubborn as mules, unlikely to yield easily. If even Arianna had failed to secure the shares, despite repeated attempts, there was no chance Derrick would give them to an outsider. Nevertheless, she might as well visit; she was already there. It had been a long time since she'd last seen the couple, at the hospital, and she felt a profound sense of unease. Eloise walked to the entrance, gently pushed the door open, and entered.

The air inside smelled of cooking. Derrick and his wife sat at the dining table, eating quietly. They didn't even look up at her entrance. "Hi," Eloise said softly, approaching them.

Derrick ignored her, but his wife looked up. "El, it's you."

"Steph." Eloise felt a surge of conflicting emotions at the familiar nickname. Despite a lifetime of scheming, hoping her family might one day wrest the business from Derrick, she hadn't anticipated this outcome, and was momentarily speechless.

"Have you eaten? Why don't you join us?" Stephanie rose to set another place.

"No, no need," Eloise hastily replied. "How have you both been?"

A look of resentment flashed across Derrick's face as he continued eating. His wife glanced at him and sighed. "El, we've been sisters-in-law and friends for over twenty years. Spare us the pleasantries."

"I'm sorry, Steph," Eloise began, but Derrick slammed his spoon on the table, startling her.

"What's the point of coming here and apologizing? Don't you think that's rather hypocritical?" he said, his voice deep, his gaze fixed on the table.

"I didn't expect things to turn out this way," Eloise said, tears welling in her eyes. "I truly had no idea Nathaniel would…"

"You didn't know about your daughter's schemes, or that Nathaniel Hall is your precious son? El, you're something else! Raising two children like them!" Derrick mocked her with a cold smile, leaving Eloise feeling humiliated.

The truth was, her children had tried to harm each other. With Arianna jailed, Nathaniel didn't even trust his own mother.

"I know it's too late, and it's all my fault, but please believe I had no idea. Nate's a grown man now; he doesn't listen to me. He even blindfolded me on the way here. There's nothing I can do," Eloise sighed, shame evident in her voice.

The couple exchanged a look. Stephanie rose and gestured for Eloise to sit. "Did he give you a hard time?"

"What are you saying? That's her son!" Derrick scoffed.

"Yes, you're right. Nate wouldn't be as harsh with me, but he's still wary. I truly had no idea he'd do such a thing. At first, I just hoped he'd find a job and settle down. Who could have imagined…"

"Then how's Joseph?" Stephanie asked.