Chapter 231
Chapter 231
“You!” Noah was instantly infuriated by Megan’s words, and he nearly toppled backward.
Unexpectedly, Megan comforted him, “Relax, so what if you lost a few business partners? We can always find new ones.”
Noah thought it over and realized that since he’d brought Megan along, he should make the most of her. Trying to soften his expression, he said, “Let’s go then. We need to move to another section.”
Luckily, the cruise ship was so huge it was like a maze, so probably not many people witnessed Noah’s humbling moment just now.
“Alright.” Just before leaving with Noah, Megan involuntarily glanced at Felix. When she saw him nod in response, she thought to herself, ‘For some
reason, that made me feel strangely reassured.‘
Meanwhile, while accompanying Theodore as he socialized with others, Eliana unexpectedly ran into Ashton. However, this time he had Cathy by his side, the college student he’d reportedly been sponsoring for years.
Eliana couldn’t stand Ashton. Not only had he let the married Theodore spend the night at a nightclub, but he’d also lied to her about it afterward.
Moreover, Eliana couldn’t stand how Ashton used Harper as a decoy for Cathy. After a brief greeting, she said, “I’d like to get some fresh air. Excuse me.”
Theodore gave her an understanding look. “Don’t wander off too far,” he reminded her.
After Eliana left, Ashton sighed and said, “Looks like ever since I kept you overnight at The Gilded Ford, your wife has really started to dislike me.”
Theodore replied, “Not just that.”
Eliana was close friends with Harper, so naturally, she couldn’t stand Ashton’s two–timing ways.
However, since Harper had helped Theodore at Zane’s birthday party, Theodore no longer viewed her merely as a woman of ill repute. He even tacitly approved of Eliana’s friendship with her.
Cathy’s gaze darted between them with naive curiosity. “Mr. Ford, what are you talking about?”
Ashton gave her a casual smile. “Oh, nothing much. We’re just catching up.”
Cathy asked, a bit puzzled, “Why do I feel like Mrs. Russell doesn’t seem to like me very much?”
Cathy thought to herself, ‘Last time at the equestrian club and now on this cruise, I’ve tried to chat with Eliana, but she always keeps me at arm’s length with that polite yet distant attitude.”
Before Ashton could respond, Theodore said, “She’s like that with everyone she’s not close to.”
Hearing this, Cathy let out a soft “Oh” and then turned to Theodore with a hopeful gaze. “By the way, Mr. Russell, last time at the equestrian club, I invited you to be a guest speaker at our university, but you declined.
“This time, on behalf of all the students and faculty, may I extend the invitation again? Would you consider it?” she asked, her tone full of anticipation
Most people wouldn’t dare ask again after being rejected once. Theodore couldn’t help but give her a penetrating look. Although intimidated by his piercing gaze, Cathy straightened up and waited expectantly for his answer.
Just as Theodore was about to refuse, he suddenly recalled Eliana’s words about how she wasn’t the petty type. If giving the speech was worthwhile, she’d surely support it.
So, he asked, “Which university do you go to?”
Cathy blurted out the name of her university without hesitation.
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After hearing her school was among the nation’s top ten, Theodore nodded and said, “I’ll consider it.”
“Really?” Cathy immediately spun around and hugged Ashton, jumping excitedly. “Mr. Ford, did you hear that? Mr. Russell said he’ll consider it
Ashton ruffled her hair affectionately and said, “There, there. Aren’t you hungry? Go grab something to eat,”
“Mm–hmm.” Cathy chirped, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she skipped off to explore the surroundings,
Theodore glanced at Ashton and asked, “She seems completely naive. Why do you spoil her like that?”
“That’s precisely why I need to take her out—because she’s so naive and needs to experience the real world.”
What Ashton didn’t say was that he saw hope and light in Cathy–something Harper could never give him. Harper came from a troubled past, and no matter what, she could never truly escape it.
Thinking of that troublesome woman, Ashton couldn’t help saying, “By the way, Cathy still doesn’t know about Harper. I’m not worried about us, but your wife… that’s another story.”
“Don’t worry, Ellie isn’t the type to gossip.” After a brief pause, Theodore added pointedly, “But if you had the guts to do it, why be afraid of people talking?”
After the pointed remark, Ashton awkwardly rubbed his nose and said, “You know there’s no way I could spend my life with someone like Harper. Once I’ve molded Cathy into a real lady, my family will eventually come around and let me marry her.”
“If you already know it’s impossible, then why keep Harper confined? You want both the red and white roses, so be careful, or you’ll get pricked by the thorns.”
With that, Theodore left with the approaching foreign businessman, leaving Ashton alone with a look of helplessness, thinking, ‘Why do I always end up in these situations?‘
At the same time, Eliana was leaning comfortably against the railing, enjoying the ocean breeze, when she suddenly caught the sound of a heated argument nearby.
She glanced over and saw two security guards blocking someone and asking for ID, but that person was stubbornly pushing past them.
The next second, through the gap between the two security guards, Eliana recognized the face of the person being stopped, making her gasp, “Harper?”
It was indeed Harper, so Eliana wondered again, ‘But wait, Ashton already brought Cathy today, so why is Harper here too?‘
Before she could process what was happening, Eliana saw the two security guards raising their batons and immediately rushed forward to intervene. Harper’s eyes lit up the moment she saw her. “Ellie! Perfect timing. I need your help.”
Eliana stepped forward and said to the security guards, “Excuse me, she’s with me. Could you let her through?”
“Oh, so you’re Mrs. Russell’s guest.” The security guard’s demeanor softened immediately. With a respectful nod to Harper, he said, “Our apologies for the inconvenience, ma’am.”
Knowing she was in the wrong, Harper didn’t argue. She simply took Eliana’s hand and led her to a quiet corner.
Once they were out of sight, Harper shot Eliana a grateful look. “Ellie, thanks for earlier. I had to sneak out. Did that jerk really think switc.. villa’s locks to fingerprint ones would keep me trapped? Please, he should know me better by now.”
Eliana’s pretty face tensed. She demanded, “Ashton’s been keeping you locked up this whole time?”
Harper pursed her lips. “More or less.”
all the
Eliana couldn’t help but frown. “Then why didn’t you call me?” Even though Eliana couldn’t do much, she could at least call the police for Harper and hire a lawyer to sue Ashton for unlawful confinement.
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Harper blinked playfully at her and said, “I just
wanted to try solving it on my own first. If all else fails, then I’d come running to you for help.
Eliana sighed, “Harpel, what brings you here today?”
Harper’s smile faded, and she grew serious. “I overheard Ashton on the phone saying he was bringing that little bitch to the party today”
“I was just thinking,” Harper said with a cold smirk, “what if I show up in front of his little bitch and tell her that Ashton’s been keeping me as his mistress behind her back all these years? Wouldn’t that just shatter her?”
The first thing that came to Eliana’s mind was what might happen to Harper. “But if you do this, won’t Ashton take it out on you?”
