Chapter 303
“Agh!” The bodyguard’s sharp cry made Jeff break out in a cold sweat.
Had it been anyone else stirring up trouble, he would’ve had them thrown out in seconds. But this wasn’t just anyone, it was Theodore, Jeff didn’t dare act impulsively.
“H–how about I make a quick call?” he stammered, pulling out his phone and dialing Ashton
After a few rings, he offered an awkward smile. “Mr. Ford’s phone is off. He’s probably still on the plane.”
“Then we’ll wait inside until you reach him,” Theodore cald calmly, striding into The Gilded Ford without another word
The bodyguards moved to block him, but Jeff held up a hand. “Let him through.”
It was peak hours at The Gilded Ford. The air buzzed with music, laughter, and clinking glasses. Theodore glanced at the crowd, then gave a subtle gesture. His men, clad in black and clearly well–trained, dispersed silently among the guests.
Jeff’s voice rose in alarm. “Mr. Russell, you and Mr. Ford are close. I don’t mind being on the receiving end, but please, don’t disrupt
business.”
Theodore, now seated, replied coolly, “Keep trying.”
Meanwhile, his men were quietly informing patrons, “We’re closed for the night. Please make your way out”
One confused guest protested, “Closed? Says who? We paid to be here.”
“We’ll refund you. Double,” one of the men responded.
Most guests took the money without complaint and left. A few, either too rich to care or too bold to leave, remained seated.
The black–clad men didn’t argue. They merely nodded, then flipped their tables without warning. That did the trick. The rest filed in a hurry.
Jeff watched, nearly choking on his own frustration. His business was bleeding before his eyes.
Still unable to reach Ashton, he finally spoke with more edge/“Mr. Russell, I’ve always treated you with respect, but this is going too far. Don’t forget. You’re on our turf now.”
At his signal, the bodyguards closed in, weapons drawn.
Theodore’s gaze narrowed. His men responded instantly, drawing their own firearms in a cold, calculated reply.
Jeff hadn’t intended for this to escalate. He only wanted to pressure Theodore into leaving. But now, facing a standoff, his legs went weak. “You really want to do this? Once bullets start flying, there’s no walking away clean.”
Theodore’s reply was quiet but pointed. “Why do you think I cleared the room?”
He hadn’t come looking for a fight, but if it came to that, he wouldn’t risk innocent lives.
A cold sweat slid down Jeff’s temple. Theodore wasn’t bluffing. He was ready to go to war with the Gilded Ford. And Jeff had no idea how to
de–escalate.
Just then, two police officers entered through the unattended math entrance, weapons holstered but drawn, badges visible. “What’s going on here!” one of them asked
Chapter 303
All eyes turned.
Assessing the room, the officers raised their voices. “Police. Everyone, lower your weapons!”
Jeff was the first to respond. “Guns down. Now. Don’t drag Mr. Ford into th.”
His men obeyed without hesitation.
But Theodore’s men held their ground, weapons still raised. Jelf turned to Theodore, nearly pleading. “Mr. Russell, please. We’re all trying to avoid trouble.”
“You pulled weapons on us first”
“I lost my temper. That’s on me.” Jeff slapped himself, three sharp, stinging blows that echoed through the space.
Only then did Theodore raise a hand. His men relaxed and holstered their guns.
The two officers approached. One of them asked, “Mr. Russell, what on earth could justify this kind of scene?”
Theodore studied their faces, then blinked in recognition. “You two?”
“She asked us to keep an eye on you,” one officer explained, “Your wife. She was worried.”
At the mention of Eliana, grief flickered across Theodore’s expression. Almost to himself, he muttered, “Once this is done, I’ll go back to her
Just then, Jeff came running, breathless and wide–eyed. “Mr. Russell, Mr. Ford’s on the line.”
Theodore took the phone without a word, voice calm but sharp. “Ashton.”
A burst of anger came through the receiver. “Theodore, are you out of your mind? Why would you storm The Gilded Ford with a squad? Someone could’ve been seriously hurt!”
Theodore’s tone was quiet, measured. “Still pretending you
u don’t know why
why I’m there?”
Ashton gave a dry laugh. “Let me guess. Eliana complained. And now you’re playing her knight in shining armor, roughing up my people to make her feel better? If the cops hadn’t stepped in, how many would you have taken out for her sake?”
“You wanted her dead?” Theodore asked, abruptly and without emotion.
Ashton hesitated. “What are you talking about?”
Theodore didn’t let up. His voice remained steady. “The shooting range last time. The car, this time. Just say it, Ashton. Have you been trying to kill her?”
A beat passed. Then Ashton, his voice hardening, muttered, “Yeah. She helped Harper run, You did too. You both cost me everything. So what if I wanted to get even?”
Theodore’s eyes narrowed. His voice turned cold. “So the brakes. You tampered with her car. Deliberately.”
Ashton’s tone shifted, suddenly unsteady. “What? Her brakes failed and now you’re blaming me?”
Theodore spoke slowly and clearly, “Before coming here, I called Samuel. He’s working with the police. According to the report, only two sets of fingerprints were found, Eliana’s and yours. No one else touched that car
“That proves nothing.” Ashton snapped. “Brakes fail it happens”
Chapter 303
“But you’ve aimed a gun at her before, More than once,” Theodore sald, evenly. “The car was fine before you got in it failed after v me to ignore that?”
Ashton was silent, breath caught.
Then Theodore added, quietly but deliberately, “You’re leaving the country, I assume you’ve found Harper. But remember, if I could get her out once, I can move her again. Somewhere you’ll never reach,”
The line went quiet.
“So let’s see.” Theodore said, voice flat. “Will you find her first, or will I make sure you never do?” With that, he hung up
Now, it was Ashton who panicked.
Standing on a foreign street, he quickly removed Theodore’s number from his black list. But no matter how many times he called, the fine refused to connect.
Caught between desperation for Harper and the growing fear of what Theodore might do, Ashton ran a hand through his hair, muttering through clenched teeth, “Damn it!”
He wouldn’t take the fall for something he didn’t do.
At 8:00a.m., a figure pushed open the office door and strode inside.
It was Ashton, just returned from Meliora.
AD
