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Hearing Jayden’s apology. Theodore raised an eyebrow, then suddenly reached out and gave Jayden’s little cheek a hard pinch.
Jayden’s thin skin stung instantly. “Ouch! What are you doing?”
“Checking if you’re someone in disguise. Guess not,” Theodore said, pulling his hand back.
Jayden rubbed his cheek and said in an annoyed tone, “I apologized. You should answer my question.”
Theodore glanced around the room. “You invited her. Why ask my permission?”
“Because I was afraid you’d say no,” Jayden said.
Theodore said, “As long as she’s okay with it, I won’t interfere.”
Jayden’s heart bloomed with joy. He didn’t expect it would be that easy to get Theodore’s approval. Once again, he was amazed by Barbara’s wisdom.
Meanwhile, on the third floor, Lainey arrived at Anthony’s room, looking troubled. “Anthony, have you noticed something?”
Anthony was replying to messages from the board and replied a bit indifferently, “What?”
Lainey had to speak more firmly. “I’ve noticed Barbie and Jayden are getting closer and closer to Theodore and Eliana.”
Anthony didn’t stop typing and chuckled. “Mom, Barbie likes Theodore, and Jayden likes Eliana. Their getting close isn’t new.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. I can understand why Barbie did that–she’s admired Theodore since she was little. But Jayden was just following Theodore around, too. Anthony, aren’t you worried?”
“Mom, they’re your kids, my younger siblings. If anything happens, they’ll definitely stand with us,” said Anthony.
Lainey said, “But…”
Anthony cut off her worries. “Mom, I’ve invited Delilah to visit us this weekend. Can you get things ready for me?”
At that, Lainey’s eyes lit up, and she left her earlier troubles behind.
The next day, Jayden sat in the audience, looking at Theodore, who was sitting next to the principal as a special guest, and muttered unhappily, “I invited Eliana. Why’s he tagging along?”
Eliana heard that and said, “I asked Theodore to come with me. It’s my first parent–teacher meeting, and I’m a little nervous.”
The next moment, the principal stood at the podium, smiling broadly. “Now, let’s welcome Jayden’s brother, Mr. Theodore Russell, to give us a speech.”
With that, the principal started clapping. In the audience, parents in the back rows craned their necks, eager to get a good look at Theodore.
As Jayden listened to the admiring comments about Theodore around him, he didn’t feel as annoyed as before. After all, Theodore was here
for him this time.
It was kind of funny, really. Lainey and Anthony always had excuses for not coming, but Theodore, with whom he clashed, was here.
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Just then, a parent from the next class asked, “Son, who’s Jayden? His brother is so outstanding. He must be great, too. You should learn
from him.”
Hearing that, Jayden couldn’t help puffing out his chest and thought proudly, I’m Jayden.
Then, a kid said, “Mom, that Jayden you’re talking about is sitting up front. But he’s a bully–he’s the school tyrant. Even the principal hates
him. Do you really want me to learn from him?”
The parent quickly changed their tune, “Uh, maybe not then.”
Eliana watched as Jayden curled up noticeably. His story had really spread far and wide around the campus.
Ten minutes later, as applause broke out again, Eliana looked around.
The students‘ childish faces were full of hope, and their eyes were all fixed on Theodore, who’d just finished speaking.
She suddenly understood why children needed examples while growing up.
She then looked at Jayden and asked softly, “Jayden, did you listen?”
Jayden just sat with a long face and remained silent.
Eliana took out her phone, typed a text, and sent it to Theodore secretly.
On the other side, seeing Theodore approach, the principal stood up straight, handed him a bottle of water, and said, “Mr. Russell, thank you.
Please have some water.”
Theodore sat down and saw Jayden in the front row, looking glum. He was wondering why when his phone beeped. He took it out, read Eliana’s text, and a look of understanding crossed his eyes. So that’s what it was.
At the same time, at Russell Group, Anthony, after hearing his assistant’s report, frowned in confusion. “What did you say? Theodore didn’t
come to work today?”
The assistant said, “I heard he went to a parent–teacher meeting. Isn’t that strange? Mr. Theodore Russell doesn’t even have kids yet.”
“Parent–teacher meeting?” Anthony muttered, then suddenly realized it was Jayden’s school meeting today.
Seeing Anthony’s face darken, the assistant asked, “Is something wrong?”
“It’s too late…” Anthony rubbed his forehead. He’d been so busy yesterday convincing the board to cooperate with Wren Group that he’d forgotten about his little brother. “Never mind. He’ll understand.”
Elsewhere, after the speech, homeroom teachers organized students and parents to leave the playground in order. Theodore walked up behind Jayden’s homeroom teacher and said, ‘Eileen, could you come here for a moment?”
When Eileen saw Theodore, she immediately handed over the organizing work to another teacher and followed him voluntarily.
Theodore then went to Eliana and Jayden. “It’s our first time at Jayden’s school. Could you show us around?“
“Of course. Hello, Mrs. Russell.” Eileen greeted Eliana.
During her home visit to the Russell Manor last time, if Eliana hadn’t been there, Lainey would’ve probably torn her apart. So Eileen had a
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very good impression of Eliana.
As Eileen showed them around, a few boys in the corridor huddled together, pointing at Jayden with vicious comments.
“Look, it’s Jayden.”
“I saw him. His brother donated a library and ten computer labs to our school. No wonder even the principal doesn’t dare to stop him. He’s got connections.”
“What did you say?” Jayden instantly looked like an angry leopard, rolling up his sleeves and about to charge over. “You looking for a fight?”
Eliana couldn’t hold him back. The next second, Theodore stretched out his arm and pulled Jayden back.
“Let me go. I’m gonna beat them up!” Jayden looked up, yelling at Theodore.
Eliana quickly tried to calm him. “Jayden, be polite.”
Eileen looked awkward. “They’re students, and Jayden extorted protection money from before, so–”
“I see,” Theodore said softly, then looked down at Jayden, who was still struggling. “Is your fist for bullying the weak?”
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