Chapter 162
Chapter 162
Theodore cocked an eyebrow. “What, didn’t get that?”
Stanley had braced for Theodore’s ruthless reforms and layoffs, but this offbeat request threw him. “Going with your wife?”
Theodore gave a dry chuckle. “Should I invite your missus instead?”
“Mr. Russell, you’ve got jokes.” Stanley’s mouth twitched before asking, “What films does your wife like? Indies?”
He recalled Alice adored those.
Theodore pondered. “Doubt it.”
“Then what?”
“Beats me.”
“Maybe call and ask?”
“Where’s the surprise in that?” Theodore fixed him with a “you dimwit” stare.
Stanley bit back a retort. ‘You don’t know your own wife’s preferences for movies, and you’re dissing me?‘ he thought.
Theodore’s index finger tapped the desk, as deliberate as reviewing a multi–billion–dollar deal. At last, he said, “Comedies, then.”
‘Isn’t that his least favorite genre?‘ Stanley thought. He shoved the thought aside and nodded.
“Also,” Theodore added, “start buying Burke Group stock today.”
“How much are we talking?” Stanley probed.
“Buy every share being dumped.”
Though perplexed, Stanley didn’t question it. ‘After all, it’s his father–in–law’s firm, so supporting it makes sense,‘ he thought.
Just then Theodore’s phone rang. “Status report,” he said.
A coy laugh trilled through. “Mr. Russell, I think Matthew’s ‘equipment‘ took permanent damage from last night’s ‘lesson‘. But was that too soft?”
Theodore smiled thinly, “Far from it. Keep shadowing him. Wait for the next move.”
A flirtatious purr replied, “Yes, sir. I live for playing with pretty boys.”
That evening, as soon as Eliana stepped out of the office, a Rolls–Royce glided to a stop at the entrance. It was unmistakably Theodore’s car.
The driver jumped out and rushed over to open the door.
Settling into the backseat, Eliana eyed the man beside her curiously. “Theodore, since when do you have so much free time?”
Theodore played it cool. “A slow day at the office. Thought I’d swing by.”
Eliana nodded, buying his story. “Great, let’s head home then.”
“Change of plans. We’re going on a date tonight.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. Theodore inwardly cursed, ‘So much for the surprise.‘
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Chapter 162
Eliana cocked her head. “Sorry, what did you say, Theodore?”
“Nothing important.” He brushed it off, wondering if she genuinely missed it or was playing dumb.
60%
At Russell Manor, Lainey paced the courtyard, constantly glancing at the gate. “Where the hell is Jayden? He’s never this late.”
Alice, kneeling in the flower bed, looked up. “Maybe he’s just hanging out with friends.”
“Not possible. Gary always makes sure he’s on schedule. And let’s face it, with Jayden’s status, he doesn’t have many real friends.”
Alice snorted softly, thinking, ‘With Jayden’s bratty attitude, it’s a miracle anyone tolerates him.‘ Lainey saw him as perfect, blind to his flaws, while Alice considered him a good–for–nothing.
Just then, Lainey’s phone buzzed.
Seeing Gary’s name, she answered sharply. “Gary, what’s the hold–up? Where’s Jayden?”
Gary’s voice crackled through the line, panicked. “Mrs. Russell, it’s bad… really bad.”
“Spit it out!”
“M–Mr. Jayden Russell got locked in a storage closet after school. His asthma flared up, and by the time we found him, he was unconscious.”
Lainey went deathly pale. “How could this happen? Who the hell would touch my son?”
Gary’s voice cracked with urgency. “Mrs. Russell, I rushed Mr. Jayden Russell to Covenhill Hospital. You need to get here now!”
Lainey barked at the servants in the courtyard, “Car. Now!”
As she charged toward the gate, a brave servant stepped forward. “Mrs. Russell, your nightgown…”
Lainey looked down at her silk pajamas and hissed, “Shit.” She whirled around.
Spotting Alice still kneeling by the flower bed, Lainey lunged over and jabbed a finger in her face. “Jayden’s in the hospital, and you’re playing with dirt?”
“Lainey?” Alice blinked. ‘What does that have to do with me?‘ she thought.
That calm response ignited Lainey. She snatched a shovel and swung at the fresh seedlings, smashing them to bits.
The shovel clattered to the ground as Lainey stormed off.
Alice stared at the mangled plants, her stomach twisting. ‘How many more tantrums will I have to endure?‘ she wondered.
The news of Jayden’s collapse would inevitably reach Theodore.
As the family’s backbone, he’d have to intervene, even if he couldn’t stand his stepbrother.
Theodore palmed the movie tickets, watching Eliana approach with popcorn and cokes. “Eliana, something came up. We’ll have to reschedule.”
He’d noticed Eliana moping and wanted to lift her spirits, but Jayden’s drama crashed the date.
Eliana studied his grim expression. “What’s going on?”
Theodore massaged his temples. “Jayden stirred up trouble at school. His class teacher’s waiting at Russell Manor to talk with me.”
Chapter 162
Eliana recalled Jayden shaking down classmates for protection money: “Where’s his mom?”
“Lainey’s fetching him from the hospital.” Theodore said curtly. “Asthma attack”
Eliana sighed. “I told him this would happen.”
Jayden’s arrogance had finally bitten back.
At Russell Manor, Lainey cradled Jayden, who was just discharged, and rounded on the teacher. “What kind of schoot is this? I send my son there, and he gets ambushed by thugs! We fund this place hand over fist. Are you blowing it on junk?”
The teacher held firm. “Mrs. Russell, let’s stay rational. We messed up by not preventing the bathroom incident, but our students don’t usually act like this. Maybe ask why your son pushed them to retaliate?”
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