Chapter 306
Meanwhile, Theodore was reviewing a report sent by his secretary. One item in particular caught his attention.
[Mr. Anthony Russell reached an agreement with the board during this morning’s meeting to submit a joint bid for Deepcove alongside the Wren Group.]
Theodore narrowed his eyes. So, the Wren family, having failed to sway him, had turned to Anthony instead. The two had clearly hit common ground, moving forward without his knowledge.
That would explain Delilah’s sudden interest in getting close to Anthony.
Still, it seemed Anthony had conveniently forgotten how the Wren Group had withdrawn support when the Russell Group was at its most
vulnerable.
“Excellent!” Carlos said, laughing with satisfaction. “Theodore opposed it, yet the board gave the green light. Let’s see what he can do alone
now.”
Marcus exhaled in relief. “Looks like I asked the right person for help last time.”
Carlos nodded approvingly. “Anthony’s far more pragmatic than Theodore. He knows it’s better to make peace with us than to keep clashing. Marcus, Della, both of you should stay close to him. He could prove a valuable counterbalance to Theodore.”
Marcus, his view of Anthony clearly shifting, replied, “Of course. Once Deepcove is secured, the Russell and Wren Groups will be in it together. Cooperation will be essential. I’ll work on bringing Anthony to our side. It could earn us more leverage.”
Delilah, nearby, let out a sharp scoff. “You go curry favor if you like. Count me out.”
Marcus glanced her way. “Didn’t Anthony already apologize for what happened with Barbara at the Russell Manor?”
“Oh? So if I stab Barbara and say ‘sorry‘ afterward, that makes it okay?”
Barbara’s pepper spray had left her face red and swollen for days. Delilah hadn’t forgotten or forgiven.
Marcus shook his head. “That’s not the same. Haven’t you thrown coffee on Lainey and bullied Jayden and Barbara back when you were
kids?”
Delilah bristled. “Why do you always take other people’s side, Marc?”
His expression hardened. “I’m trying to help you understand. Not everyone’s going to tolerate you like Dad and I do. Barbara didn’t, for one. If you can’t learn to think before you act, you’ll pay the price eventually.”
Delilah snapped, “You forgave Barbara just like that after she humiliated me. She didn’t even apologize. Maybe you can let that slide, but I
can’t.”
With that, she turned and stormed upstairs.
Marcus rubbed his temples. With her temperament, it was only a matter of time before she got herself into real trouble.
Carlos, watching, patted his son’s shoulder. “It’s on me. I spoiled her. You’ll have to handle things with Anthony from here on.”
Marcus gathered his thoughts and nodded. “I will, Dad.”
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Back in her room, still seething, Delilah snatched up her phone and dialed a number.
“Janice? Didn’t you say you knew some guys with, let’s say, street connections? I need someone taught a lesson.”
At the Russell Manor dining table, Jayden stared at the two empty seats, puzzled. “It’s strange. Theodore and Eliana haven’t come home since yesterday evening. Barbara, have you tried calling them?”
Barbara replied with a heavy tone, “I just did. Theodore said Eliana was in a car accident last night. She’s at Jefferson Memorial Hospital now.”
“What?” The drumstick in Jayden’s hand suddenly lost all appeal. “Then what are we still doing here? We should head over right away!”
“Agreed,” Barbara said, already rising from her seat.
Just as they were about to leave without a word, Lainey’s patience snapped. “Stop right there. Whatever’s going on, you can at least finish your meal first.”
Jayden paused but didn’t look back. “Eliana’s hurt. I don’t feel like eating.”
Since their visit to the prison, Jayden had grown distant from Lainey and hadn’t warmed to her since.
Barbara, more tactful, said, “Mom, please ask the kitchen to save our food. We’ll eat when we get back.”
“Lainey scoffed. “All this over Eliana?” Her tone was hard to read, somewhere between anger and jealousy. Eliana had stolen away both
Barbara and Jayden. She wouldn’t admit it aloud, but a part of her wished Eliana gone for good.
“Stop upsetting Mom,” Anthony interjected calmly. “Finish your meal first. I’ll drive you afterward.”
An hour later, the three stood outside Eliana’s hospital room.
“Barbara,” Anthony said, “Since you’ve been in touch with Theodore, you should knock.”
Barbara nodded and gently tapped on the door.
Moments later, the head nurse, who had come to change Eliana’s bandages, opened it and asked, “May I help you?”
“We’re from the Russell family,” Barbara replied politely.
The nurse stepped aside and let them in.
Anthony glanced around the room. To his surprise, Theodore was calmly peeling an apple, fully focused. Eliana, meanwhile, watched the curling apple skin with quiet amusement, as though nothing unusual had happened.
It wasn’t what Anthony had expected. He had imagined Theodore stressed and Eliana distraught. Instead, the room felt stra.
erene.
While he was lost in thought, Barbara and Jayden had already moved to Eliana’s side, expressing concern and asking how she felt.
Theodore placed the peeled apple aside, set down the knife, and made his way to the bathroom. As he passed Anthony, he said in a low voice, “Step outside with me.”
“Sure.” Before turning to follow, Anthony’s eyes lingered briefly on the bruise on Eliana’s forehead.
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A strange unease stirred within him. He had never felt such guilt for hurting someone before.
He quickly looked away and followed Theodore out.
Outside the room, Anthony spoke first. “Theodore.”
Theodore looked at him, voice steady. “When you pushed the board to approve the Russell–Wren partnership, did it occur to you that Wren is a company that might share success, but not misfortune?”
Anthony’s eyes flickered. “That may be true, and I won’t deny Wren once betrayed our trust. But they remain a strong player. If we keep shutting them out, they’ll ally with someone else.
“And if that happens during the Deepcove bidding, we risk losing everything. Isn’t it better to give them a chance to prove themselves?”
Theodore spoke with quiet gravity. “You really think something broken and rotten can be made right again?”
