Chapter 103
Alice’s heart immediately sank. Anthony had said any man would want to “die in her arms,” but both Theodore and Anthony had rejected her. They d rather spend time with the unsexy Eliana than touch her. Alice couldn’t understand why.
Meanwhile, as soon as Eliana climbed into bed after returning to the room, a large hand wrapped around her from behind. She was pulled into Theodore’s warm chest.
Startled, Eliana heard Theodore growl, “Where were you just now?”
“Getting water,” she replied flatly.
Theodore buried his face in her hair. “Why do you smell like alcohol?” he asked suddenly. Before she could respond, he pressed, “Did you drink alcohol?
“No.” The scent must have clung to her while cleaning the bar.
“No?” Theodore snapped his eyes open, agitated. “Then where’s this coming from?”
Eliana tried prying his arms from her waist. “Stop asking. Let me sleep.”
Sensing her coldness, Theodore abruptly pinned her down, teeth clenched. “Was it Anthony?”
Her intuition screamed danger in this position. “Anthony? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She played dumb.
Theodore, ever sharp, cut to the chase. “That’s the whiskey Anthony always drinks.” After a tense pause, he demanded in horror, “Were you two meeting in secret?”
Eliana went blank, then fumed, “I’m not as shameless as you!”
Her failure to deny it drove Theodore to be irrational. Pinning her resisting hands above her head, he rambled urgently, “Why did you go to him? For a late–night talk, or something more?”
Finally, he roared uncontrollably, “Aren’t I enough for you?”
“Alright, stop. You’re insane!” Eliana shouted, furious at his absurd accusations.
He punished her with a bite on the lip, only to meet her resistance. Just take whatever I give you,” he seethed.
Eliana recalled Anthony’s words. If Theodore saw her as a substitute for Alice, then she…
Eliana thought of what Anthony had just said to her. If Theodore shared the same idea as Alice, then at that moment, she might be a substitute Theodore couldn’t get after begging Alice.
Eliana seized the chance to bolt into the bathroom. Minutes later, a knock came. “Come out,” Theodore ordered.
Eliana was scared to death inside, but she still said calmly, “Unless you promise to never touch me again, or-”
Theodore asked in a cold voice, “Or what?”
Eliana sniffled and said with tears, “I’ll go tell your grandpa you’re bullying me!”
She’d nearly incapacitated him and now threatened to tattle to Daniel.
“Come out on your own, or I’ll drag you out,” he said.
Eliana seethed–she’d done nothing wrong yet he accused her.
As Theodore began counting down, she opened the door and braced for the worst.
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Chapter 103
Instead, a set of pajamas flew at her. “Wash off that goddamn smell!” he barked, then walked awkwardly in the opposite direction
He wanted to punish her, make her feel betrayed, but couldn’t bear to. He hated being controlled by a girl. Maybe it was time to divert his attenti
The next morning at breakfast, Daniel frowned at the lack of interaction between Theodore and Eliana.
Eliana set down her utensils. “I’m full. Heading to work.”
“Theo, drive her,” Daniel ordered.
“Oh, don’t bother, my bike is convenient,” she whispered.
“His route passes your office,” Daniel insisted, ignoring that Russell Group and Starlight Media were in opposite directions.
More absurdly, Anthony smiled, “If Theodore’s busy, /
Eliana.”
Daniel said in a deep voice, “It’s a matter between Theodore and Eliana. What does it have to do with you?”
Anthony smiled faintly and said, “Grandpa, we’re family. Shouldn’t we help each other out?”
“Mind your own fiancée,” Daniel snapped, kicking Theodore under the table.
Theodore merely placed his napkin down and said coldly, “Whatever.”
Then, he left without a glance at the others. He was honoring her wish for distance.
Daniel looked at Eliana, but she’d already stood and left in silence.
In the courtyard, the driver asked, “Ready to go, Mr. Russell?”
“Wait,” Theodore said.
When Eliana emerged, his Rolls–Royce was parked at the gate. She paused and thought, ‘Didn’t he leave?‘
Theodore gripped the seat when he saw her through the rearview mirror. He’d wait for her to ask for a ride–otherwise, he’d ignore her.
Just then, Anthony chased out. After a brief conversation, Eliana shook her head and smiled—a stunning smile.
Theodore chuckled bitterly. Lately, their relationship was nothing but fights and suspicion. Even her rare smiles were fleeting, never as relaxed as when she was with Anthony.
He wondered, ‘Is being with me really that painful for her?‘
Shortly after arriving at Starlight Media, Nolan’s secretary said, “Eliana, Mr. Hall wants to see you.”
Assuming the chandelier investigation had results, she hurried to Nolan’s office–only to find another handsome face.
“Mr. Yates?” she exclaimed.
Felix stood from the sofa, grinning. “I said I’d consider your artists for our watch campaign. You didn’t forget, did you?”
Chapter 104
