Chapter 106
Late that afternoon at Russell Manor, Elisha had just walked through the door when her eyes landed on a pair of high heels by the sherifas, that looked familiar. Wasn’t that Hannah’s go–to?
A maid stepped forward. “Mrs. Russell, your sister is here.”
‘Figures,‘ Eliana thought.
Eliana raised an eyebrow. “What’s she here for?”
“She said she’s here on company business to apologize to Mrs. Alice Russell.”
By now Alice had officially moved into Russell Manor, and the staff had started calling her “Mrs. Alice Russell“, though Eliana had a hunch Alice way angling to be Theodore’s wife, not Anthony’s.
Lost in thought, Eliana nodded. “Got it. You can go.”
“Yes, Mrs. Russell.”
Eliana stood there a beat before heading for the elevator.
On the third floor, since Anthony wasn’t back from work yet, huge bedroom only had Alice and Hannah.
Ever since walking through the manor gates, Hannah had felt like she was floating. She couldn’t help it. Every inch of this place, from the gardens to the
stonework, reeked of old money.
Now chatting up close with someone as elegant and fragile–looking as Alice, Hannah couldn’t help feeling bitter and thinking, ‘How did that lowly little thing Eliana land a life like this?‘
Just then Alice’s soft voice broke in. “Ms. Burke, did you say your sister has feelings for another man?”
Hannah snapped to reality. “Yep. Ellie had a college boyfriend whom she dated three years before the wedding. If it weren’t for money, I don’t think she
would’ve dumped him.”
“So that’s it,” Alice said.
She thought, her eyes turning cold, ‘So that’s why Eliana hasn’t pushed Theodore to announce their marriage. She’s still hung up on her ex. In that case, what right did she have to judge me?‘
Hannah sighed, putting on a worried tone. “God knows how many times Ellie’s snuck around with her ex behind Mr. Theodore Russell’s back. My sister’s always been a troublemaker.”
Alice blinked, looking doubtful. “Seriously?”
Hannah put on a solemn look. “Honestly, I’ve caught Ellie’s ex stopping by the office to see her more than once.”
At that, Alice’s fingers lying on the quilt tensed, instantly creasing the fabric.
But since she hardly knew Hannah, she didn’t take the words at face value. “Ms. Burke, why are you telling me this?”
Hannah flashed an innocent smile. “No big deal just chatting. Don’t overthink it, Ms. Powell.”
Knock, knock, knock.
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Chapter 106
Come in Alice called,
The door opened.
When Hannah saw it was Eliana, her smile faltered. She quickly recovered. “Oh, Ellie, you’re back.”
Her tone made it sound like she owned the place.
She added, “Right, I’m here on company business to check on Ms. Powell’s injury. I should have let you know first. You aren’t mad, are you?“
Eliana’s eyes flicked to Alice’s bare nightstand. “Since you came to visit Ms. Powell, where’s the gift?” she asked with a half–smile.
Hannah’s mouth twitched. She hadn’t come to visit at all. She’d just used it as a pretext to get into Russell Manor.
Caught in the lie, and feeling Alice’s probing gaze, she stammered, “I was in a rush and forgot to pick something up. I hope you’ll excuse me, Ms. Powell?
Watching them undercut each other, Alice plotted silently.
Knowing she’d only embarrass herself more if she stayed, Hannah made an excuse and left the room.
Eliana gave Alice a small smile, then closed the door behind her.
Outside the door, Hannah chased Eliana into the elevator, fuming. “Ellie, is it fun to undercut me like that?”
Eliana pressed the first–floor button, face blank. “I just told the truth. You showed up without a gift. Why pin that on me?”
“Don’t you get how embarrassed you made me? How am I supposed to face Ms. Powell again?”
Eliana gave her a pointed look. “You still want to come here?”
Hannah squirmed under her gaze. “W–why not?”
Just then the elevator dinged open. They’d reached the first floor.
“Let’s go. I’ll walk you out,” Eliana said.
“Why the rush? Can’t I stay a bit?” Hannah said, craning her neck as if hunting for someone.
Eliana smirked. “Aren’t you here to visit Ms. Powell? You saw her. Time to go.”
Hannah huffed, “Eliana, I’m your sister. You won’t even play host, and now you’re kicking me out?”
“I made this clear last time–we aren’t sisters anymore. Did you think I was kidding?”
Just then a commotion came from the entrance.
Hannah’s eyes lit up. She struck her best pose before saying, “I’m not fighting with you.”
Moments later, Theodore and Anthony walked in, one after the other.
Hannah’s eyes went wide. They two perfectly embodied “icy” and “warm“. A single glimpse from the audience last time had left her weak–kneed.
When Theodore suddenly looked her way, Hannah’s heart slammed. She swallowed hard, ready to introduce herself, but he just drawled, “Out of the way.”
‘What?‘ Hannah was puzzled.
It turned out Hannah had been so flustered by Theodore and Anthony’s arrival that she’d unconsciously stepped ahead of Eliana, blocking her. No wonder Theodore didn’t bother hiding his irritation.
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Chapter 106
Hannah’s cheeks burned. She managed a weak “…” before Theodore frowned. “New maid? Didn’t anyone teach you basic stigtet.
Hannah was speechless.
The awkward silence finally broke when Eliana
“She’s my sister,
- r. Hannah”
Seizing her chance, Hannah batted her
es coquettishly. “Right. Ellie’s older sister.”
She thought, ‘Just look at me. Your grandfather chose me to be your wife!‘
Theodore gave her a perfunctory once–over. “You
don’t resemble each other.”
“Oh, everyone says that. I guess I just have
a more
look than Ellie,” Hannah said.
