Delilah couldn’t contain her impatience. “Anthony, where’s Theodore?”
Anthony paused before saying, “Theodore’s working out on the top floor”
Working out? That means I could see Theodore all sweaty and… wow! Delilah thought, her pulse quickening at the mental image. “Could you take me up there to have a look?” she asked.
Anthony hesitated. “Well, I-”
Delilah immediately grabbed his arm, shaking it playfully as she wheedled, “Come on, Anthony! You’re the sweetest–just let me go up and
seel
Anthony finally gave in. “Alright, fine.”
But then a cold voice cut through the moment. “No.”
Both Anthony and Delilah turned to see Eliana standing there. Delilah’s mood soured instantly. “I just want to look around. You’re being pretty stingy for a host, don’t you think?”
Eliana didn’t bother arguing with her. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Anthony, her voice distant and sharp. “She doesn’t understand, but you should: That’s where my husband used to live. Taking her up there would be invading his privacy.”
Anthony had never seen Eliana draw such a hard line before. After a moment of surprise, he said, “Eliana, don’t be upset. I wasn’t thinking
clearly.”
Eliana studied him for a long moment. “I hope this won’t happen again.”
The coldness in her eyes made Anthony’s voice drop. He said, “I understand.”
Without another word, Eliana turned and took the elevator upstairs.
Delilah watched the elevator climb straight to the top floor, then spun around in frustration. “Anthony, are you seriously that much of a pushover? Whatever she says goes?”
Anthony gave a bitter smile. “She’s Theodore’s wife. I have to show her respect.”
Delilah studied his expression carefully. “Does she boss you around at home all day?”
“No, Ellana’s actually very kind.” Anthony looked away as he spoke, clearly trying to put a good face on things
“I doubt that. When your mother went upstairs just now, Eliana didn’t even say hello to her. Obviously she’s using Theodore’s favoritism to throw her weight around at home.”
Delilah actually felt a pang of sympathy for him. Anthony, I used to just make fun of you when we were kids, but now I realize you’ve had it pretty rough.”
A sharp glint flashed in Anthony’s eyes. His plan was working.
Meanwhile, up in the penthouse gym, Theodore had just finished a set and was about to take a break when a woman’s hand appeared from behind him, holding out a towel.
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Chapter 293
Thinking it was one of the staff, Theodore snapped without looking, “I told you I don’t need anyone waiting on me in here
The next second, he heard a voice,
“Theodore, it’s me,” Eliana said.
He immediately turned around, surprise and delight lighting up his face. “How did you get up here?”
“I came to check on you.” Eliana’s eyes traveled over him from head to toe.
His shirt hung carelessly on a nearby machine. His chest and abs, still heaving from the intense workout, glistened with a thin sheen of weat that made him look devastatingly attractive.
Theodore’s concem broke through her wandering thoughts. “How’s your foot!”
She snapped back to reality. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Good.” A bead of sweat rolled down from his jaw. He wiped it away casually, the movement making his forearm flex in a way that had Eliana imagining what it would feel like to be held by those strong arms.
Eliana thought to herself, ‘Thank god I stopped Delilah from coming up here. She would’ve fallen even harder for him!
Lost in thought, Eliana picked up his shirt from where he’d hung it nearby and handed it to him. “Put your clothes on already.”
Theodore wasn’t in any hurry. “I still need to shower. No rush.”
“Then go shower now!”
“What’s the rush?” Theodore said, “I’ve still got one more set to finish,”
The words slipped out before Eliana could stop them. “You don’t need to! Your body already looks great!”
“Really?” Theodore’s mouth curved into a pleased smile. Then something occurred to him. “Wait a minute. You never like working out, but you came up here today. Don’t tell me you’re here to inspect my progress? What, not getting enough of a look every night? Not enough touching?”
His suggestive words made Eliana’s face burn red. “Stop being so inappropriatel Delilah’s here!”
The amusement in Theodore’s eyes dimmed slightly. “Anthony must have sent her. It has pathing to do with me.”
Seeing how quickly he distanced himself, as if afraid she might misunderstand, Ellana couldn’t help but smile.
Fifteen minutes later, Theodore emerged from his shower, fully dressed. But Eliana frowned and reached up to button his top collar button.
He raised an eyebrow. “Mrs. Russell, it’s the middle of summer. Isn’t this a bit tight?”
“I’m doing this for your own good!” Eliana thought about how predatory Delilah could be. She’d feel much better with Theodore properly covered up.
Meanwhile, Barbara bad brought Jayden over to Delilah, and they’d accepted her gifts.
Barbara glanced at the gift box in her hands and smiled. “Ms. Wren, would it be okay if Jayden and I opened these
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Chapter 293
“Of course.” Delilah was confident they’d love them after all, Anthony had helped her pick everything out.
Jayden tore through the wrapping in seconds. Inside sat the coolest toy
y sports car he’d ever seen the kind kids could drive
His heart skipped a beat. He desperately wanted to hop in and take it for a spin.
Anthony caught the longing in his eyes. “Jayden, If you want to try it out, go ahead. Just be careful and don’t hurt yourself
Barbara quickly elbowed Jayden.
Jayden snapped back to reality and forced himself to refuse. “No, thanks. I’m not really into cars.”
Delilah’s eyes narrowed with displeasure. “Then what are you into?”
“My brother’s really into studying these days. You could’ve gotten him middle school practice tests and he would’ve been happier than with any sports car.”
Delilah’s mouth twitched. “Middle school practice tests? What the hell? Hadn’t Anthony told her Jayden loved playing and hated studying?
Barbara then opened her own gift–a Tibaldi fountain pen. “This brand doesn’t come cheap, does it? You’re talking si Egures here. You really shouldn’t have, Ms. Wren.”
Delilah’s expression finally softened. “Anthony told me you love studying, so I got you this pen. I hope it helps you reach new heights in your academics.”
But something went wrong when Barbara twisted off the pen cap. The ink suddenly splattered out, landing on Delilah’s perfectly
face.
made–up
Two seconds passed–Delilah covered her face and let out a devastated scream.
At that exact moment, the elevator doors slid open,
revealing Theodore’s figure.
Delilah’s embarrassment was so overwhelming that she wanted to crawl into a hole and die. ‘Why does Theodore have to see me at my absolute worst?‘ she thought desperately.
Delilah screamed, “Barbie, you–1”
Meeting Anthony’s accusatory stare, Barbara put on an innocent expression. “Anthony, I didn’t mean to You should take Ms. Wren to wash her face.”
C
AD
