Chapter 40
Eliana froze for a second and saw Hannah feign a regretful sigh and said, “Oops, I almost forgot you and Mr. Russell’s brother are secretly married. I suppose without his permission, you can’t just announce your relationship, right?”
Hearing that, Eliana was at a loss for words.
93%
Hannah was right. They had no wedding, and Theodore had never publicly acknowledged her status. She didn’t even have a wedding ring to prove she was married.
Noting the faint pallor that crept across Eliana’s face, Hannah continued to say, “No offense, but marrying a man who’s lost his power and his sight? People would only laugh behind your back. Ellie, do you really want to become the office joke?”
Without thinking, Eliana snapped back, “He’s not blind. It’s only temporary. He’ll recover one day.”
Hannah hadn’t expected Eliana to defend Theodore only shortly after their marriage. She blinked and wondered in surprise, To fall for a blind man like this? How foolish can you be?‘
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Hannah said casually, “Come in please.”
It was Nolan’s secretary. Seeing Eliana was present, he hesitated slightly and addressed Hannah, “Ms. Hannah Burke, Mr. Hall would like to see you.”
“I’ll be right there.” Hannah smiled and turned to Eliana with a concerned expression. “Ellie, I know this is all upsetting for you, but try not to let your personal emotions affect your work, okay?”
Eliana thought, ‘She’s really putting on a show for Nolan’s secretary, trying to make me look unprofessional?‘
She gave a cool smile and replied, “Ms. Burke, no need to worry about me. You’d better think about how you’re going to explain this to Mr. Hall.”
After leaving Hannah’s office, Eliana stopped by the restroom. She splashed cold water on her face and then slowly looked up into the mirror.
Her eyes were red from suppressed emotion. Her lips were pressed into a tight line. She barely recognized the reflection staring back at her.
Drawing in a long breath, she silently told herself, ‘The harder Hannah tries to knock me down, the more I’ll make her watch me rise.
Just then, her phone rang.
Eliana fished it from her pocket and answered. Before she could say a word, an angry voice exploded through the speaker. “Little brat! You were never going to call home again unless I called first, huh? Did you forget who you are?”
Eliana replied evenly, “Mom.
“Don’t call me that. I don’t have a daughter as selfish as you,” her mother shot back.
Eliana let out a bitter chuckle, wondering, I’m selfish? And what, you and Dad are model parents?‘
“Tell Dad I’ll be home this weekend,” she said. “And make sure he has the money ready. I don’t want any delays. I have real business to take care of.”
Belinda was furious. “You-
1/2
12:36 Wed,
Chapter 40
“Anything else?” Eliana cut her off.
Without saying another word, Belinda hung up the call abruptly.
93%1
1:20
At Burke Manor, Hudson set down the financial magazine he had been reading and asked his wife, who stood by the landline, “Well? Did Ellie say when she’ll be back?”
Belinda huffed, “Don’t even bring her up. She said she’s coming home this weekend and asked us to have the money ready so she can get on with her important business.”
Hudson fell silent for a moment and then said, “Forget it. We do owe her.”
Belinda’s eyes widened in disbelief. “We owe her? We raised her, okay? We worked our fingers to the bone for that girl, and now all she talks about is money. It really breaks my heart.”
Hudson’s expression grew distant and complicated. “Let it go. If we hadn’t lost her that time when she was little, maybe things wouldn’t be so strained between us now.”
Belinda’s expression turned torn for a second. Something softened in her features–something like guilt or regret.
2/2
