When Llana returned to Russell Marani, bringing sandwiches for tým, the was thinned to find her
coffee with Lainey. It was the bind of trene she wouldn’t have dared to imagine even in her wilded dreams.
(chatting over
Lainey looked up at the sound of the door opening. When the saw it was Eliana, a flicker of mockery flashed across her eyes Storied to her companion and said. “Mis Burke, your daughter’s home.”
Hearing that, Belinda put down the rare, expensive coffee and looked up at Eliana Her face instantly darkened
Elians couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about the way her mom was looking at her. “Mom, what are
“I’m here to ask Mrs. Russell to help set things straight,” Belinda replied coldly
“Set what straight?” Eliana asked, confused
“See for yourself” Belinda tossed a photo onto the coffee table it was a picture of Eliana and Nolan standing by the river at noon that day.
Elana froze. Before she could say a word, Belinda continued, “Your sister took the day off from work, and you took the chance to openly flirt with her Bancé at the office. Is this how raised you?”
Elana had assumed her mother had finally grown a conscience and come to Russell Manor to return the 500 thousand dollars the owed. She never expected this visit would still be about Hannah–and for such an absurd reason at that.
She glanced at Lainey, who was clearly enjoying the show, eager for the two of them to tear each other apart.
A wave of sadness welled up in Eliana’s chest. “You’re accusing me of seducing Nolan just because of one photo? And you stormed over here to make a scene about it? Are you really my mother?”
Belinda’s face was stem. “I came here today to ask Mrs. Russell to do something about it. After all, you’re now part of the Russell family. If this gets out. it’ll bring shame to their name. Don’t you agree, Mrs. Russell?”
Theodore can’t see
Lainey replied slowly. “Of course. Since your daughter is technically part of our family now, she needs to behave. Just because T doesn’t mean she gets to run around behind his back, doing things that disgrace the family.”
Hearing how easily they’d already passed judgment, Eliana, who normally had a good temper, couldn’t take it anymore. She snapped, “Mrs. Russell, my mom may be muddle–headed, but do you really have to join in without even getting the facts straight?
“It’s just a photo, taken in broad daylight by the river where everyone could see us.
“Why is your first thought that I’m seducing someone? Why can’t it just be a normal interaction between a boss and his employee? And i have no idea who secretly took this photo, but since they sent it to my family, it’s obvious they’re trying to frame me.”
Lainey narrowed her eyes. “So you think you’re being framed?”
Eliana answered firmly, “Yes. Theodore and I are doing perfectly fine. Why would I be chasing after another man?”
Lainey let out a sarcastic Laugh. “Really? Then why did you keep arguing with him day in and day out, not long ago?”
Eliana didn’t back down. “We weren’t that familiarwith each other at first, so we needed time to adjust. Sure, we argued a lot, but our feelings developed rapidly, too. Otherwise, why would he be willing to leave the house or even come downstairs to eat with everyone!”
with a retort.
Lainey was caught off guard by that and couldn’t come up w
“And since you’re accusing me of cheating.” Eliana continued, “shouldn’t you at least ask Theodore how he feels about it first?” Her unspoken message was clear: “Who are you people to judge me?”
at way, I wouldn’t have to
Lainey caught the implication right away and sneered, “Fine, I was going to let this slide if you’d just admit your mistake. That way,
1/4
Chapter 69
bring it up with Theodore and embarrass you.
“But now? Clearly you think you’re in the right. In that case, Wyatt, go get Mr. Theodore Russell Tell him I have something to discuss with him.”
“Yes, Mrs. Russell,” Wyatt replied..
“Wait!” Eliana suddenly called out, worried Wyatt might take the chance to make things harder for Theodore. “His eyesight isn’t great–I should go help him down
“Absolutely not, I won’t give you the chance to sweet talk him on the way down.” Lainey waved her hand, signaling Wyatt to go.
The moment Eliana moved, a couple of maids stepped forward to block her path. She could only stand there and watch helplessly as Wyatt went upstairs.
A few moments later, Theodore slowly appeared at the top of the staircase.
Belinda took the opportunity to size him up and couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.
It was hard to believe–even after losing his sight, Theodore was still as handsome and dignified as ever. If he hadn’t lost everything, Belinda would’ve had no hesitation marrying Hannah off to him.
Lainey caught the regret on Belinda’s face and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, “What a joke if Theodore hadn’t gone blind, neither of her daughters would have had a shot at marrying into this family
At that moment, Eliana couldn’t help but softly call out, “Theodore…”
At the sound of her voice, Theodore turned his head. His tightly pressed lips curved into a gentle smile. “You’re back?” he asked.
“Yeah,”replied Eliana after a moment of hesitation. She realized her voice was shaking badly. The moment she saw Theodore, all the grievances she’d been holding back suddenly surged up
“Come here.” Theodore beckoned to her.
Eliana glanced at the maids blocking her path. They stepped aside at once.
She walked up to Theodore, helped him sit down, and tried to pull her hand back, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her
Then he asked, “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Lainey’s eyes flashed as she picked up the photo Belinda had tossed onto the coffee table.
wn to sit right next to him.
Then she said, “First, allow me to introduce someone. Sitting to your left is Eliana’s mom, Mrs, Belinda Burke. She came by today with a photo, and i thought it looked a little suspicious, so I asked you to come down and talk about it.”
Theodore didn’t show any reaction to Belinda’s presence. He simply asked, “So, what kind of photo is it?”
Lainey looked down at the photo and described it with flair. “It shows your wife leaning close to a young man and looking at him all worried by the river today. That man happens to be her boss and her sister’s fiancé. So, what do you think about that?”
Eliana’s heart jumped into her throat. She stared nervously at Theodore’s profile, terrified he’d get the wrong idea.
After a short pause, Theodore said evenly, “Really?I don’t buy it. Photos can be doctored.”
Eliana opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out, Theodore gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
Lainey’s mouth twitched, and she said irritably, “How could this possibly be fake?”
Theodore’s expression stayed calm. “I’m blind. How would I know you didn’t have someone photoshop it just to stir up trouble between me and my
2/4
13:33 Thu, 12 Jun A
Chapter 69
66%
Lainey was stunned as the thought, ‘Did he just figs the blame hack on me? Wait this photo isn’t mine, Belinda brought it. She should be the one to explain! Realising this, she promptly tossed the photo toward Belinda.
Belinda picked up the photo and said cautiously, “Mr. Russell, yo
you’ve misunderstood. I’m the one who brought this photo it has nothing to do with Mrs.
Rovell
For some reason, before meeting Theodore, Belinda had felt pretty confident. After all, she was his mother–in–law. But now, facing him, she felt like a balloon that had lost all its air–completely deflated.
Hearing this, Theodore turned his head toward her. “You’re Mrs. Burker”
“V yes, that’s me,” replied Belinda
“When are you planning to pay back the 500 thousand dollars you owe Ellie!”
Belinda was caught completely off guard. By the time she realized what was happening, her face had turned bright red.
As she was at a loss for words, Theodore’s face grew stern. Then he said, “Or would you prefer my grandfather give you and your husband a call personally?”
Belinda’s eyes widened in panic. She quickly said, “Please, don’t! It’s such a small matter. There’s no need to bother him with it.”
Theodore said softly. “Then”
Belinda glared at Eliana, gritted her teeth, and said, “I’ll have my husband transfer the money tomorrow–every last cent.”
In that moment, all of
all of Eliana’s tension and unease vanished. Theodore had given her his complete trust and even helped her get back the money meant for something critically important. She honestly had no idea how to thank him enough.
Theodore then asked, “Anything else?
Lainey replied with a sour face, “No”
Theodore nodded and twisted the knife. “Next time you try to stir up trouble, at least do a better job. Don’t make it so sloppy I’m not my dad–I’m not that easy to fool”
With that, he tugged lightly on Eliana’s hand and said, “I’m hungry. Go make me something.”
“Okay,” Eliana replied, taking his hand with one of hers and carrying the sandwiches with the other as they headed upstairs.
Downstairs, Lainey was fuming. “Belinda brought the photo, and the story was hers too–yet somehow, I shooting Belinda a look full of resentment
the one taking all the blame, she thought,
Belinda was so upset. She’d come to the Russell family hoping Lainey would keep Eliana away from Nolan, but not only had the photo been dismissed as fake–she even had to cough up the 500 thousand dollars she’d pocketed before.
That was supposed to be Hannah’s dowry.
But something didn’t sit right with her. “Wait a second,’ she thought. ‘Didn’t Hannah say Ellie had been miserable ever since she married Theodore–and that’s why she seduced Nolan? But from what I just saw, Theodore seemed to dote on her
Meanwhile, on the second floor, as soon as the door closed, Eliana exclaimed excitedly, “Theo-“But before she could finish, Theodore pulled her in fierce, sudden kiss.
She felt like a delicate flower caught in the mind, trembling and shivering if it weren’t for the large hand firmly wrapped around her waist, she might’ve collapsed right there and then.
3/4
13:33
10, 12 Jun
Chapter 691
When their lips finally parted. Theodore leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. His voice was deep and serinut as he asked, “Why were you looking at that man like that?”
Eliana, still dared, suddenly realized he wasn’t indifferent at all; he’d just been holding himself back this whole time
She thought. This is understandable every word Lainey said was meant to stir things up, and the photo was brought by my own mother, Airhough Theodore called it take, deep down, he probably already believed it, didn’t he?!
She admitted softly, “That man is my sister’s fiance, but it seems like they had a fight because of me I’m just a little worried about him.
“You’re worried about him?” Theodore’s handsome face went cold, his voice sharp. “Why would you worry about him? You are not even close
