In the bathroom, as Eliana took off her wetsuit, something clattered to the floor. She looked down to find a seashell. She didn’t know when it had slipped into her pocket.
Picking it up, she discovered it was heart–shaped and beautifully colored. Smiling, she decided to keep it as a memento of their trip.
The next evening, Eliana woke from a nap to the sound of footsteps outside. Slipping on sandals, she peeked out to see passengers queuing to disembark. The cruise ship had docked.
A pair of arms encircled her from behind. “Pack up. It’s our
་་
“Time flew,” Eliana murmured wistfully.
Theodore studied her profile. “Don’t want to leave?”
“Mm.” Eliana nodded. Despite the chaos, this journey had lifted burdens she had carried for days.
Pleased by her renewed energy, Theodore promised, “We’ll
come back.”
“Great.” Eliana grinned.
Ashore, Eliana waved goodbye to Harper and Megan before turning to Theodore.
He stood with Félix and Ashton, while Cathy trailed behind Ashton like a shadow lost in thought.
“Theo, how many billions did you secure?” Felix asked.
“Roughly 700 million dollars,” Theodore replied flatly. “You?”
Felix groaned. “Those foreigners were impossible. ‘The designs are outdated.‘ ‘The gem quality’s mediocre.‘ Just admit they’re broke!”
“Quit whining,” Theodore said, nodding toward Ashton. “Even the nightclub owner isn’t complaining.”
Felix blinked, then burst out laughing. He thought, ‘At least I had jewelry to pitch. What could Ashton possibly sell? The girls from The Gilded Ford? Not like he had brought them along.‘
At this, Ashton snorted, “I can’t compete with you two industrialists, but I gave them the address to The Gilded Ford. Once they’re in Covenhill, they’ll drop by, and I’ll make a killing then.”
Felix’s eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. “Hey, why not team up? Have your hostesses steer them to my jewelry store!”
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you require ID verification to enter your shop?”
Felix waved off principles for profit. “Exceptions during special circumstances. Come on, Ashton. Let’s hash this out in
As Ashton was whisked away, Cathy, left behind, bit/her lower lip before turning to Theodore. “Mr. Russell, I truly hope you’ll consider speaking at my university.”
Theodore’s reply was noncommittal. “We’ll see.”
Cathy’s heart sank further. She thought, ‘He was going to say yes before. Did my comment about Harper ruin it?
‘Was I wrong? Harper profits off beauty, not knowledge or hard work. That goes completely against everything I was taught to despise. But why do they
make me feel like the villain?‘
t
10.44 ríl, 27 JUN
Chapter 247
Noticing her confusion, Theodore said, “The adult world isn’t black and white, especially with men like Ashton who operate in the gray. If you want to stay by his side, you need to learn more than just book smarts.”
Cathy watched Theodore walk away, murmuring, “Is that really it?”
Eliana clasped her hands behind her back and smiled at Theodore as he approached. She asked, “All done?”
Theodore smiled, “Mm. Let’s go.”
The driver, who had been waiting for two days, immediately opened the car door.
Meanwhile, Delilah pressed her face against the window of the Porsche, staring dreamily at Theodore’s retreating figure. Marcus massaged his temples before ordering the driver, “Go, Thomas.”
“Yes, Mr. Wren.” The tires screeched as the car lurched forward, whipping Delilah’s hair into a wild storm around her face. “Pfft!” She spat out stray strands while rolling up the window.
Glaring at Marcus, she snapped, “Couldn’t you warn me before having Thomas floor it?”
Marcus crossed his arms and shut his eyes, refusing to respond.
Delilah finally noticed his mood. “What’s wrong? Don’t ignore me.”
After a long pause, Marcus opened his eyes, only to find her slouching sideways like a ragdoll. His jaw tightened. “You’re a lady. Have some self–respect. Sit properly.”
“Fine.” She straightened up for only a while before melting back into her habitual sprawl. “When are we meeting Theodore to discuss business?”
Marcus was speechless.
As Theodore and Eliana approached the entrance of Russell Manor, a woman suddenly rushed up behind them, arms laden with packages. “Excuse me. Coming through.”
When her careless movements jostled Eliana, Theodore’s voice turned icy. “Get lost.”
Startled, the woman, Mindy Sanders, finally looked up and paled upon realizing she had bumped into Theodore and Eliana. “S–sorry, Mr. Russell. I didn’t mean to-”
Just then, Alice’s voice interrupted from behind them. “Mindy? What’s wrong?”
Mindy scurried to Alice’s side, whispering, “I accidentally brushed against Mrs. Russell, and Mr. Russell dismissed me.”
Alice frowned, “Theodore, must you be so tyrannical? This is my nutritionist. Laíney hired her to care for me and the baby. If you dismiss her, will over her duties?”
take you
Her words, flirtatious by design, only made Theodore’s expression darken. “Your nutritionist?”
“Obviously,” Alice said. “While you two were off vacationing, Lainey and I vetted her thoroughly. Today, she accompanied me for my prenatal checkup and prepared these supplements. She’s diligent. I like her.”
“I’ll hire you someone more qualified.” Theodore refused to allow such a liability near Eliana.
For a fleeting moment, Alice almost believed his concern was for her, but soon, she met his glacial stare. Reality crashed back. “How generous. But what if history repeats itself? What if my baby mysteriously disappears under your chosen nutritionist?”
