Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon Chapter 140

Eleanor’s POV:

I was arranging fresh lilies in the crystal vase when the doorbell echoed through our Upper East Side apartment.

The unexpected sound startled me.

Smoothing down my silk blouse, I made my way to the door, mentally preparing the polite but firm dismissal I'd give to whatever charity representative or delivery person had managed to get past the doorman.

When I opened the door, I found myself facing a man in his early thirties, impeccably dressed in what was unmistakably a custom-tailored suit.

His posture and the quiet confidence in his eyes immediately marked him as someone from our social circle.

"Good morning," I said, automatically adopting my gracious hostess voice. "May I help you?"

"Mrs. Bailey?" He extended his hand and looked somewhat surprised.

But soon he adjusted his emotions.

"I'm Ethan Cole. I apologize for arriving without an appointment, but I was hoping to speak with you about a rather personal matter."

*Cole*. The name registered immediately.

The Cole family was prominent in finance and philanthropy—not quite at the Thornton level, but certainly respectable.

I assumed he must be one of Sienna's many social connections.

"Of course, Mr. Cole. Please come in. Sienna didn't mention you'd be stopping by."

As he stepped into our foyer, I noticed his eyes scanning the space with unusual intensity, as if searching for something—or someone.

"Actually, Mrs. Bailey, I don't know Sienna." His voice remained polite, but there was an underlying determination that made me suddenly wary.

"I'm here to inquire about your adopted daughter."

The smile froze on my face. "I beg your pardon?"

"Your adopted daughter Audrey," he repeated, his eyes now fixed directly on mine.

"Is she the baby that was switched at Manhattan Memorial Hospital? "

"Mr. Cole, I don't know how you came by this information, but I think you should state your purpose clearly," I said, my voice noticeably cooler.

He hesitated, then straightened his shoulders.

"My family lost a daughter—my sister—many years ago. She was taken from Manhattan Memorial Hospital as an infant. Based on information I've recently obtained, I have reason to believe your adopted daughter might be my sister."

My mind raced through calculations and implications. A Cole daughter. Connected to one of the wealthiest families in the city.

If Audrey discovered this connection...

It was bad enough that she had somehow managed to worm her way into Caspar Thornton's life. The thought of her gaining the backing of another powerful family made my blood boil.

"Mr. Cole, you're clearly mistaken," I said curtly, not bothering to maintain my polite facade any longer.

"I don't know where you got your information, but it's wrong. I have other matters to attend to. I'd appreciate it if you'd leave immediately."

"But Mrs. Bailey, if you would just—"

"I said leave," I interrupted, moving toward the door.

"Our doorman will see you out. I have nothing more to say on this matter."

After he left, the sound of footsteps on the staircase announced Sienna's arrival.

"Mom? Who was at the door?" Sienna called, descending in her designer loungewear, phone in hand.

"Was someone here for me?"

"No, dear. Just someone who had the wrong address."

Sienna pouted slightly. "Too bad. He looked handsome from what I could see."

I hesitated, weighing how much to reveal.

"Actually, Sienna, that man was Ethan Cole, from the Cole family. He was here looking for Audrey. He seems to believe he might be her biological brother."

"What?" Sienna's eyes widened in shock.

"Audrey's brother? Why on earth would you send him away? Don't you want Audrey to find her real family and leave us alone?"

I shook my head at her naivety.

"Sienna, don't be so shortsighted. Do you really want her to have the backing of another powerful family? The better she is, the worse it is for us."

"But why are you so convinced she'd use that against us?" Sienna stepped closer, her expression suddenly serious.

"Mom, you're always acting like Audrey is some threat waiting to destroy us. Is there something you're not telling me?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Did you and Dad really have something to do with her baby's death? "

The question hung in the air like a threat. I felt my face grow hot.

"How could you even think such a thing?" I hissed, my hands trembling slightly.

"That child was premature and weak. It was fate, not anyone's fault."

Sienna studied my face carefully.

"What exactly happened that day, Mom? "

"I did NOT kill her child! " I snapped, my voice rising despite my effort to control it.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

"This subject is closed, Sienna. I forbid you to ever bring it up again."

Sienna nodded slowly. "Fine. Whatever you say."

She turned to head back upstairs, shoulders slumped.

"Wait," I called after her. "I need you to do something for me."

She paused, looking back with obvious reluctance. "What now?"

"Call Audrey for me. She's blocked my number." I pointed to her and said, "I need to speak with her immediately."

Sienna hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine."

She dialed Audrey's number and put the phone on speaker as instructed.

After three rings, Audrey's voice came through. "Sienna? Any news yet?"

"Audrey," Sienna began, glancing at me, "Mom wants to talk to you."

"I have nothing to say to Eleanor," Audrey's voice turned cold.

I snatched the phone from Sienna's hand.

"Is that so?" I replied, my voice dripping with condescension.

"You mean to tell me that even information about your biological parents wouldn't interest you? Your *real* family?"

The silence that followed told me I had struck a nerve.

Audrey didn't respond immediately, and I knew I had her attention now.