Chapter 143
Even the girl Ashton brought was now staring at Theodore with shining eyes. “Mr. Ford, he’s amazing,” she said.
Ashton held a cigarette between his fingers and smiled faintly. “Then has always been the ! best among us“
Cathy clenched her fists, then said excitedly. “Can I invite him to give the opening speech at our school on behalf of the student body?”
Ashton looked puzzled. Cathy continued, “I think successful people like Mr. Russell, who’ve overcome setbacks and risen again, can inspire students more than ordinary entrepreneurs.”
Ashton chuckled. “You can find a chance to discuss it with İsim later.
Encouraged by Ashton, Cathy nodded confidently.
Elana overheard their unreserved conversation and couldn’t help looking at Cathy again. It was clear from their words that Cathy was a vibrant, studious girl.
This made Eliana think of Harper, the drunk woman who’d asked if she looked down on escorts.
Just theh, Theodore rode over. He’d expected Eliana to praise him, but she was distracted, not even noticing his arrival
Frowning, he pretended to ask casually, “Did you see how I tamed that horse?”
Snapping g back to reality, Eliana gave him a thumbs up. “Mr. Russell, I saw how you tamed that fierce horseYou were amazing”
Theodore was satisfied–after all, he’d risked straining his back to show off for her,
As they galloped freely on the pasture, Eliana’s gray pony kept stopping to nibble grass out of greed. Being patient, Eliana let it be.
Theodore controlled the black stallion to stay beside her, but the stallion couldn’t stand the slow pace, constantly eyeing the pony and snorting impatiently.
Eliana suddenly asked, “By the way, Mr. Russell, how did you know this gray pony would bring me luck?”
Theodore paused. “Want the truth?”
She said, “Of course.”
“Because I was afraid you’d fall off, so I tricked you into picking a pony. That way, even if you fall, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing” he admitted.
Eliana was speechless and somehow pissed off by his kindness.
During a break, Eliana went to the restroom. When she returned, she saw Cathy blushing as she talked to Theodore.
Just then, Ashton approached her gravely. “Do you know where Harper is?”
Eliana frowned. “You don’t know where she is?
Ashton nodded, looking ominous. “I haven’t been able to contact her since the night she invited you for drinks.”
Eliana said firmly, “Aren’t you sending people to look for her? She’s your girlfriend.”
Ashton only looked at Cathy meaningfully. Eliana felt sorry for Harper. “Oh, I see–you have someone more important. Then why ask about Harper? Is the Ford family bothering Ms. Ainsworth without her to cover for your relationship?”
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Chapter 143
You know about that?” Ashton’s tonn changed. “Did Harper tell you?”
“No, Harper said nothing,” said Eliana
“T’d rather she had.” Ashton sald enigmatically, then added, “If you can contact Harple, tell her I forget y happened that night if she comes back
He referred to Harper being with a male escort. A normal man would’ve been furious, but Ashton’s calm forgiveness proved he didn’t love Harper,
Just then, Cathy called from a distance in depression, “Mr. Ford
“Excuse me.” Ashton hurried to Cathy
Eliana grew angrier for Harper but also wondered where she’d gone.
On the way back, Theodore asked, “Aren’t you going to ask what Cathy wanted from me?”
Eliana said flatly, “To invite you to speak at her school?”
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “You knew?”
“Loverheard. Did you refuse?” Eliana guessed, seeing Cathy’s dejected expression when she called Ashton.
Theodore nodded. “I was afraid it would upset you!
Eliana was taken aback–she’d thought he was just too busy. Though touched, she clarified, “Mr. Russell, do you think I dislike Cathy because I lik
Harper?”
Theodore blurted, “Aren’t you?”
Eliana shook her head. “That’s narrow–minded, Mr. Russell. I have no reason to dislike Cathy if she’s done nothing wrong–she’s just another of Ashton’s
choices.”
Theodore reflected. If Eliana weren’t tolerant, she wouldn’t have jumped into an icy lake to save Jayden or tried to pull Alice back from the cliff.” was wrong to assume that,” he conceded.
“Besides,” Eliana added, “I dislike men who are unclear about their feelings more than anything.”
Theodore felt a twinge of guilt–he’d been that kind of man.
Fliana said, “Mr. Russell, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.” He agreed without hesitation.
p me find Harper’s whereabouts?” she asked.
“Can you help
Theodore regretted agreeing so quickly. “Ashton should handle Harper’s problems”
“But even Ashton can’t find her.” Eliana looked worried. “I’m afraid if she leaves Ashton, she might
“Go back to her old profession?” Theodore finished.
Eliana nodded. She didn’t want Harper to return to being an escort.
Though Theodore disliked her associating with Harper, he hated seeing her worried. “This is a one–time thing,” he relented.
“Thank you, Mr. Russell,” she smiled
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Chapter 143
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Early the next morning, Julian sent a crate to Russell Manor Since Theodore and Eliana were still in their bedroom, no one dared disturb them, so Lainey
accepted it.
Alice, massaging Lainey’s shoulders, had fully embraced her role as a tool and now curried favor with unmarked crate, she asked curiously. “What’s inside?”
iney to survive in the Bussell family. Seeing the
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