Chapter 140
When Eliana changed into her riding gear in the fitting room, Hannals strutted over with a riding crop, thin hold high. “Mrs. Russell, let’s have a race
Eliana frowned. “I can’t believe you latched onto another man so soon after breaking g up with Mr. Hall”
Hannah played with the new diamond bracelet Julian had bought her, laughing indifferently. “Watch your words. Julian and I fell in love at first sight- never wanted money from him.”
“Is that so? Hope so. I hear Julian’s a tough guy. If you try to scheme against him, you’ll regret it,” Eliana said.
She tried to leave the fitting room after putting on her protective gear, but Hannah blocked her with the crop. “You haven’t answered my question yet. Dare you race me on horseback?”
Eliana had come to relax, not compete. “Why would I agree to something so boring?”
“Mrs. Russell, you’re too scared to accept the challenge?” Hannah raised her chin haughtily. “Well, you’ve always been a coward, while I’m Dad’s pride”
Eliana suddenly remembered Hudson’s childhood gaze, as if Hannah were a star and she was mere dust. Family had always been her unresolved pain- she resented her parents‘ coldness yet craved their approval. “Fine,” she said. “How do we race?”
When Eliana and Hannah emerged from the fitting room, the men’s eyes lit up. Hannah in red was stunning Eliana in white pure–like two roses.
“Darling, sorry to keep you waiting.” Hannah cozied up to Julian, wrapping her arm around his. “I’m racing Mrs. Russell. Will you pick a good horse for
me?”
Julian nodded, then turned to Theodore. “Mr. Russell, since our women are racing, let’s add a wager. If your wife wins, I’ll give her a hundred gold bars.”
Julian’s family business made him keen on gambling. A hundred gold bars were worth over 300,000 dollars.
Eliana hooked her pinky around Theodore’s, catching his attention. He leaned down to hear her.
“Don’t bet with him,” she whispered, standing on tiptoe by his car. “I’ll probably lose.”
Theodore smiled at her. “Then why race Hannah?”
“She kept provoking me. I have a temper too, you know,” Eliana muttered.
Theodore chuckled, then told Julian, “If Ellie loses, I’ll double the stake.”
Eliana stared at him in surprise.
Julian paused, eyeing Eliana–she clearly didn’t exercise much. Where did Theodore get the confidence to double the bet?
Lucas found it amusing. “Let’s place bets on who’ll win.”
“Count me in.”
“Me too.”
As the gamble grew, Eliana felt pressured. What was supposed to be a personal match had turned into a full–blown bet
Seeing Julian leading Hannah to the stables, she tugged Theodore’s hand. “Hurry!”
Theodore’s gaze lingered on her small hand clasping his. “Hurry for what?”
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Chapter 140
*To pick the best horse before Hannah does, of course!” he said.
The stable held hundreds of horses. Ellana knew nothing about them. Theodore asked casually, “Ever ridden a horse?”
“Nope,” she admitted.
Hannah, picking a horse nearby, scoffed, “Mr. Russell, looks like you misjudged her.”
Hannah had always coveted Theodore he was the first man she couldn’t have. She seized every chance to outshine Eliana and make him regret mis
her
Theodore barely glanced at her. “Can you shut up? You’re noisy,”
Hannah’s grip on the crop tightened. She vowed to impress him today,
As Eliana browsed the stables, her hat suddenly vanished. Thinking it was Theodore’s prank, she turned to see a gray pony chewing her hat like a snack.
“Give that back–it’s not food!” she said, embarrassed.
The pony ignored her, still munching
Eliana asked Theodore, “Why is it acting like a kid?” It reminded her of kids at the Therapy Center, putting everything in their mouths.
“Horses are intuitive–he’s playing with you.” Theodore held out a carrot. The pony spat out the hat, sniffed the carrot, and started eating.
tattached.”
Eliana eyed the slobber on her hat, speechless. Theodore said, “Feed him to get a
“You want me to choose this pony?” she asked, surprised. “No offense, but his legs are so short.”
“Ponies are like that. And be careful–he might understand you.”
As if on cue,
the pony snorted, looking agitated, Eliana quickly apologized.
Theodore smiled, handing her a carrot and leading her to the pony. When the pony nuzzled the carrot in her palm, Eliana felt a surge of satisfaction. The pony curled its tongue around the carrot, tickling her hand.
“Theodore said, “He stole your hat–you must have a special connection. How about picking him?”
Trusting his judgment, she decided the pony might have hidden strengths.
Just then, Julian led a fierce black stallion from a distant stable. The horse was tall, muscular, and glossy. Eliana looked at her gray pony, focusing on chewing carrots, and despaired.
