Chapter 13
Chapter 13
“Anthony,” Jayden called out, clearly unhappy. ‘Not only is Anthony not standing up for me, but now he’s also not latting, Mom punish Eliana?‘ he
thought.
But after exchanging a look with Anthony, Lainey turned back to Jayden. “That’s enough, Jayden, We have a guest here. Is this how you behave?”
Jayden was about to pout again when Anthony said in a firm tone, “Come take it yourself.”
Under Lainey’s pointed gaze, Jayden walked over to Eliana with a sullen face and snatched the slingshot out of her hand.
Eliana knew this wasn’t the time to argue with him, so she spoke in the calm, tolerant tone adults used with children, “Just be more careful next time.”
Jayden, still seething, shot her a nasty glare. Clearly, he was not letting this go.
…
During the meal, Anthony kept helping Alice with food, and Jayden chatted sweetly with her like she was already family. Lainey didn’t say much, but there was a smile on her face every time she looked at Alice.
The atmosphere was warm and pleasant. Meanwhile, Eliana felt like nothing more than a decorative background piece–completely dispensable.
But the moment she remembered that Theodore was still waiting upstairs for her to go back and take care of his injury, she couldn’t help speeding up
her pace.
She finished eating in record time, practically inhaling her food. Meanwhile, Lainey and the others had only made it halfway through their meal, still eating at a leisurely pace.
Jayden couldn’t help but sneer when he saw how fast she was eating, “Did you grow up starving or something?”
Even Lainey’s eyes showed a flicker of disdain. ‘I have no idea how the Burke family raised their heiress. Doesn’t she have any manners at all?”
Eliana was speechless. ‘Weren’t you all treating me like I didn’t exist? Now suddenly I’m worth their attention?‘
Just then, a maid walked over to Eliana with a plastic bag in hand and hesitantly asked, “Mrs. Eliana Russell, is this your takeout?”
Eliana reached for it. “Yes, thank you.”
All at once, the people at the table looked at her like she was some kind of oddball.
Lainey asked meaningfully, “Ellie, are we starving you here or something?”
“Lainey, it’s not like that. I just have a big appetite, so I usually prepare my own late–night snacks,” Eliana replied.
Of course, she wasn’t stupid enough to mention that Wyatt had suggested feeding Theodore leftovers. It wasn’t hard to guess who had given that order in the first place.
Lainey narrowed her eyes. “We have chefs in the house, you know. Why go out of your way? How about this–throw that out and I’ll have Wyatt personally bring you a proper late–night meal to your room.”
Eliana thought, ‘If I throw this away, then what’s Theodore supposed to eat tonight?‘
And even if Wyatt did bring something up later, he’d probably stand there and make sure she ate every bite–leaving none for Theod.
So Eliana could only politely decline. “Lainey, I don’t earn much. I really don’t want to waste food. Maybe next time?”
Lainey’s charming, age–defying face turned completely cold. “And what if I said there won’t be a next time?”
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11:30 Tue, 10 Jun M WO
Chapter 13
A heavy tension settled over the dining room. Even Jayden, the little troublemaker, put down his utensils and waited for Eliana’s response.
Eliana’s heart sank. She hadn’t expected Lainey to force her to take a side this quickly.
And now the takeout box in her hand felt like a ticking bomb–holding onto it would only blow everything up in her face.
But for the sake of what Hudson had promised her, Eliana had no choice but to pretend she didn’t catch the undertone in Lainey’s words. “Then let’s not trouble anyone.”
At that, the expressions on everyone else’s faces shifted subtly.
Eliana acted oblivious, stood up, and smiled, playing dumb, “Guys, I’m full, so I’ll head up now. Please, enjoy the rest of your meal.”
Lainey didn’t respond, her expression icy.
Anthony, however, nodded at her and said gently as always, “Alright, Eliana. See you later.”
