Chapter 108
After a long silence, Nolan said, “Hannah, I need to talk to you too.”
“Let’s go on a date tonight,” Hannah said, picking up on his flat tone. She decided to pull out all the stops to cheer him up. “You can tell me then, okay?”
“No, what you did just gave me the guts.” Nolan hesitated, then said hoarsely, “Hannah, we should break up.”
In the room, Theodore saw Eliana putting away dry clothes without asking a came here?”
word. He narrowed his eyes and started the conversation. “Know why she
“She said to check on Ms. Powell’s injury,” Eliana replied evenly, folding a shirt.
Theodore’s gaze followed her like a wolf eyeing its territory. “Hah, bullshit. She came to hit on me.”
Though Eliana had figured Hannah was up to no good, Theodore’s bluntness caught her off guard.
She thought, ‘Hannah really would stoop to anything for power.‘
“How did she try to hit on you?” she asked.
Meeting her curious look, Theodore stepped closer, planting one hand on the wall above her head and tilting her chin with the other. His voice dropped to a murmur. “Like this.”
Eliana cocked her head. “Aren’t guys usually the ones who do this to flirt?”
“The way she was looking at me–she wanted me to make a move,” Theodore smiled.
“Did you play along?”
“Guess.”
“I bet… she’s not your type.”
“Oh? What makes you think you know my type?” Theodore’s intense looked young in some ways, yet he couldn’t look away.
gaze held hers. A strange thought struck him–Eliana wasn’t a classic beauty, even
Eliana thought for a beat. “Maybe… someone like Ms. Powell?“,
“You!” A flash of irritation crossed Theodore’s handsome face.
Eliana added, “Anyway, it’s definitely not someone like Hannah. You must have had your fill of her type by now.”
Seeing she wasn’t the least bit bothered–just calmly analyzing like a detective–Theodore laughed in exasperation, “Maybe I prefer your type instead.”
Eliana tensed up, flipping on her self–preservation mode. “Stop joking, Mr. Theodore Russell. That’s not funny.”
Theodore studied her with a complicated look, about to say more when a voice called from outside, “Mr. Russell, Mrs. Russell, dinner is ready.”
Eliana turned her head, slipping free from his hold on her chin. “Come on. Let’s not keep Grandpa and the others waiting.”
After dinner, Daniel called Theodore to his room. “I’m leaving first thing tomorrow. Remember, take good care of Ellie. Don’t let her get pushed around.”
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “Not staying a few more days?”
Chapter 108
Daniel shook his head. “Can’t. Your grandma’s alone in Aimberhold, and I worry.”
He paused, then added, “Christmas is in two weeks. Bring Ellie to Amberhold so your grandma cali see her.”
Theodore’s eyes softened when he thought of Eliana. He gave a slow “Mhm.”
The next day, before dawn, Eliana was jolted awake by a phone call.
“Hello?” she mumbled, half–asleep, not recognizing the voice.
“Eliana, I want Joyful Kitchen breakfast right now. Go get it!” the caller barked.
Hugging her pillow, still groggy, she asked, “W–who is this?”
“Raphael!” the man enunciated each syllable.
“Ra–Raphael?” Eliana shot up, all traces of sleep gone.
“Need me to repeat that?” Raphael was losing patience. “Listen, if you don’t meet my demands, and the ad campaign tanks, don’t come crying to me.”
Eliana threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed. “Joyful Kitchen, got it. I’m going now!”
Just then, Theodore’s cold voice cut in, “So eager to see your idol?”
At the same time, Raphael sneered, “You say you’re innocent, but I hear a man there.”
AD
