Chapter 12
Eliana hadn’t expected that even something this minor would need Lainey’s approval. But just earlier, Theodore had grabbed Lainey’s precious young son, Jayden, by the collar and dangled him mid–air–there was no way she could go ask Lainey for anything right now.
“Can’t you make an exception, Wyatt?” Eliana asked earnestly.
Wyatt’s eyes flashed with scorn, like he thought she wasn’t even worth acknowledging. “Mrs. Russell, if you’re really in a rush, you can go out and buy one yourself.”
Eliana thought, ‘Go out and buy one now? What if that little brat Jayden goes back and starts tormenting Theodore again?”
Just as she was stuck in this dilemma, someone suddenly said, “Eliana?”
She turned her head and saw Anthony walking toward them.
“Mr. Russell,” Wyatt instantly greeted the moment he saw him.
“Eliana, dinner’s ready. I was just coming to get you,” Anthony remarked. He then glanced at Wyatt before asking her, “Did you need something from Wyatt?”
Eliana hesitated for a second, then answered honestly, “Yes, I was asking Wyatt for the first aid kit.”
Anthony’s expression turned serious. “Is it for Theodore?”
His question made Eliana a little nervous. But compared to everyone else in the Russell family, Anthony was the only one who had shown her any kindness–real or not. So she gave a small nod.
At that, Anthony immediately instructed, “Wyatt, whatever Eliana needs, bring it to their room.”
Wyatt lowered his head and didn’t try to make excuses like he did earlier. “Yes, sir.”
Eliana finally let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, Mr. Russell.”
“Eliana, no need to be so formal. Just call me Anthony,” he said, his tone softening as he took in the pretty girl in front of him. “The staff here can be thoughtless. If you ever need anything, come to me.”
“Alright.” Eliana gave a vague reply.
After that, Anthony invited her to join him for dinner again, and Eliana followed him downstairs.
“That slingshot in your hand is Jayden’s, isn’t it?” Anthony asked.
Eliana nodded. “Yeah. He left it behind when he left. I was just about to return it.”
On the way down, Anthony’s words distracted her for a moment. A servant happened to be cleaning the stairs, and Eliana accidentally stepped on a still- wet patch. She slipped instantly.
With a sharp cry, she reached out for the railing nearby. Unexpectedly, before she could grab it, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her firmly into an embrace.
“Eliana, be careful. The floor’s wet,” Anthony said as he released her.
Startled, Eliana turned back to look at him and met his concerned gaze. That made it hard for her to call him out on what had been a bi
rward just
now.
She just gave Anthony an awkward thank you instead and quickly made her way down the stairs.
1/2
Chapter 12
Behind her, Anthony ran his thumb over his fingertips and his naturally gentle eyes gradually darkened.
Downstairs in the dining room, the moment Jayden saw Eliana, he shot to his feet and complained to Lainey furiously, “Mom, look at what she’s holamg She snatched my slingshot and made that stupid blind freak throw me on the ground.”
As Lainey turned to look at her, Eliana immediately said, “Lainey, I can explain.”
འིིིི རྗ
Anthony chimed in from the side, “What’s there to explain? Jayden was being naughty and tried to mess with Theodore using that slingshot. He got caught, that’s all. And Eliana already brought it back to him, didn’t she?”
With Anthony’stepping in, Eliana didn’t rush to speak again. After all, Lainey would take her own son’s word over that of her daughter–in–law who married into the family.
AD
