Chapter 126
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Danel’s Bee darkened. If she wasn’t in bed, thist mestis che was taking a Martin, grå find Bannual
Elsewhere, Margaret was chewing Eliana around the giacchruth
Even though it was December, the insulation kept the space warm, and the treats were fall of lush, seasonal vegetables.
Handing Eliana a watering can, Margaret said, “I’m really sorry I had to fet Alice stay.*
Eliana shook her head as she gently watered a row of leafy greens. “It’s fine. She’s going to marry Anthony eventually can’t avoid her forever”
Seeing Margaret still wanting to speak, Eliana quickly pointed to some white radishes in the distance. “Grandma, how about we have radish tonight!} heard they’re perfect for winter meals.”
Margaret took the hint and let the topic drop. “Sure. You want it, we pick it.”
When Eliana came out of the glasshouse with her arms full of vegetables, she was surprised to find Theodore waiting outside. “Theodore? Why aren’t you inside?” she asked.
‘Because you’re out here,‘ he whispered inwardly.
But all he said was, “Got bored, decided to take a walk. What about you? Why is your face covered in dirt?”
He reached out to wipe it off, but she instinctively stepped back. His brows twitched.
She said quickly, “It’s dirty, don’t touch it.”
“I don’t mind,” he murmured. One hand gently tilted her chin up, the other took out his handkerchief and carefully wiped her cheek clean.
He couldn’t stand the idea of her pulling away from him because of Alice.
Margaret walked out just in time to catch the scene and nearly laughed out loud. Theodore wasn’t just wiping her face. He was standing so close it looked like he was about to kiss her.
“All done,” Theodore said and then took the vegetables from her arms.
Casually, he asked, “You and Grandma cooking lunch together?”
“Mm–hmm.”
A rare smile crept across his lips. It had been too long since he’d had her cooking.
Just before noon, there was a knock at Anthony’s door. Sensing what it meant, he glanced back at Alice before opening it. “Mr. Gellar, Dr. Wilson.”
Merlin and Samuel stood outside, and it was clear why they were here.
“Anthony,” Merlin said, “your grandfather asked Dr. Wilson to check on Ms. Powell.”
Anthony let out a subtle breath of relief. “I was just about to ask him myself. Dr. Wilson, please come in.”
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Chapter 126
fatim and Samet fermanent a glance before with ing fee wat lying on the hand, bented enter a thick mit at roughing bett
Perdon knik, Ma. Poseet, Kainnet and without expression as he chucked her pitie and toned her in that body s ley paid, verrattung
“She’s definitely cought a chill,” he worshunad
Sobre wasn’t pretending? Merlin kept his thoughts to himself sex nodded Sarehjel. “Bioase prewriba har sammathing*
pare the medicine was written up and the two men teh, Anthinny imamediately grabbed the pills and tossed them into the vase on the table. furtain by Alice, he said coldly, “You’re not taking that. If you do, I’ll dump you back in the cold water.”
She felt a suffocating knot rise in her chest. She didn’t doubt for a second that he could actually bill her.
Then something occurred to her. “You were the one who made the ceiling light fall… weren’t you?”
# she’d only suspected before, after witnessing his cruelty firsthand, she was almost certain.
Anthony stared at her horrified expression and then let out a slow, chilling laugh. “And what if I was?”
During lunch, Alice looked ghostly pale. Her hand trembled so badly she kept dropping food from her fork.
The others all noticed, frowning, but no one said anything. She was supposedly sick, after all.
After another failed attempt at picking up a dish, Theodore suddenly spoke, “If you can’t eat, then go lie down.”
Everyone turned to him. ‘Is he… showing concern?‘ they wondered.
Daniel subtly reached for his cane, just in case he needed to knock some sense into the boy.
Alice looked at Theodore, her big eyes welling up with tears. ‘Was I stupid? I gave up Theodore for Anthony… and now, look who’s actually protecting me. Caring about me. It’s still Theodore.’
But Theodore didn’t spare her a second glance. He popped a meatball into his mouth and added coolly, “You’re wasting Eliana’s cooking.”
Daniel nearly choked on his drink, trying to hold back laughter.
Theodore chewed slowly and then turned to Eliana. “This is good. Your cooking’s getting even better.”
“Then have more,” Eliana replied, barely hiding her pleasure as she scooped a generous spoonful of radish on his plate.
‘From heaven to hell… that is what this feels like,” Alice muttered to herself.
She barely touched her food before excusing herself. She returned to the guest room and collapsed over the desk, sobbing uncontrollably.
She was unraveling. One brother abused her body. The other humiliated her in front of everyone. And yet, she couldn’t leave Russell Manor. Or she would become the biggest joke in town.
After a long time, she lifted her head, fists clenched. ‘Anthony’s right. Hatred is the only thing keeping me alive now,‘ she silently decided.
The next morning, Daniel invited Theodore and Eliana to go hiking again.
To his surprise, Alice spoke up, “Grandpa, can Anthony and I come along too?”
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Chapter 126
Daniel raised an eyebrow, “I thought you were still sick.”
“I’m feeling much better since taking Dr. Wilson’s medicine,” Alice replied sweetly. “Some exercise might even speed up my re
Anthony added, “Yeah, Grandpa, let us join you.”
Daniel narrowed his eyes but eventually nodded. “Fine, but you’re in charge of her. If she faints on the mountain, you’re carrying her back
And so the group set out.
Once they reached the base of the mountain, Anthony suddenly fell in step with Theodore and smiled. “You’ve been working out a lot lately. Curious how that’s going.”
Theodore shot him a cold glance. “Wanna find out?”
Anthony grinned. “How about we race to the top?”
In a flash, both men bolted up the trail, leaving Eliana and Alice staring after them.
Daniel wasn’t far behind. His legs might have been old, but they were fast. Within ten minutes, he’d left the women behind as well.
“Um… Grandpa?” Eliana called out, watching him disappear into the trees.
Just then, Alice said quietly, “What’s wrong? Are you scared to be alone with me?”
Eliana turned her head to look at her, thinking, ‘Am I imagining things… or does she actually look kind of terrifying right now?‘
