Chapter 167
Watching Theodore trail the waiter up to the second floor, Anthony turned to Alice, “Now’s your chance.
Everyone was glued to Zane’s birthday cake, so their comer was empty.
Alice knew the moment wouldn’t last, but she needed to be sure. “Anthony, after this, will you really make them divorce?”
“Have faith.” Anthony clinked his glass against hers. “Early celebration?”
“Right.” Alice downed the champagne in one swig, half to toast, half for guts.
The second she sneaked out of view and headed upstairs, Anthony smirked and motioned to a reporter across the room
The guy, there to cover Zane’s bash, scrambled over with his camera. “Mr. Russell, what can I do for you?”
Eyeing the crowd, Anthony said, “Step outside with me.”
Upstairs in the guest room, the waiter stepped out and blocked Alice. “Ms. Powell, hold on.”
Irritated by the stop, Alice snapped, “Wait for what? Who are you?”
The waiter smiled, “I’m on your team. Mr. Theodore Russell’s drug hasn’t kicked in yet. Go in now, he’ll boot you out.”
Alice’s face flared. ‘Now even a waiter is dissing me?‘ she thought.
Then it hit her. “Did Anthony tell you to drug me too?” she asked.
The man chuckled, “He just wants to stack the deck in your favor.”
Meanwhile on stage with Zane, Eliana spotted a familiar face in the crowd.
Harper?
She rubbed her eyes. ‘Yep, it’s definitely her. Harper’s back!‘ she thought.
Before Eliana could cheer, Ashton popped up and yanked Harper into a bear hug, forcing her against him.
Downstairs, Ashton clamped Harper’s wrist in a vice grip. “Harper, better play nice. Don’t make me haul you back and chain you up right here.”
Harper shot him a venomous look. “Ashton, I’m done with you. Why not stick with your goddamn mistress?”
Ashton’s eyes turned icy, his voice dripping with cruelty. “I can dump you, but you can’t dump me. Remember, your grandparents are still under my
thumb.”
“You son of a bitch!” Harper strained to yank free. “Let go. I need to find Ellie.”
Ashton sneered, “So eager to see Eliana? Begging for/rescue? Or planning another club binge together?”
“It’s serious.”
“I think you just want her to help you escape me. Not gonna happen. Let’s move.” Stone–faced, Ashton dragged Harper out of the crowd.
‘He’s going to lock me up again!‘ Harper thought.
Panic flashed in her eyes. In a split second, she lunged down and sank her teeth into Ashton’s hand.
“Fuck!” Ashton flinched, releasing her.
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Chapter 167
Harper whirled and bolted.
Ashton stared at the bleeding bite mark, then charged after her, murder in his stride.
Upstairs, seeing Alice on the verge of cracking, the waiter stepped aside with a smirk. “Please go inside, Ms. Powell.”
Hating that some lowlife had seen her like this, Alice shot him a filthy look before shouldering
the door open.
“Who?” Theodore snapped, his eyes flying open as he sat regulating his breath.
“Theodore, it’s me,” Alice said.
Seeing her eyes glazed over, Theodore quickly fastened his shirt buttons, fighting to steady the rush in his veins as he crossed to the door
Just then, the lock clicked. Someone had barred it from the outside.
Downstairs, Harper dashed forward, glancing over her shoulder as she ran, then slammed into someone. Before she could stammer an apology, the figure said, “Harper, it’s me!”
Eliana had hurried over, worried Harper was being harassed.
“Ellie?” Harper’s face brightened. But just as she opened her mouth, Ashton shouldered through the crowd, looming behind them.
Eliana yanked Harper behind her at the sight of Ashton’s furious approach.
Then Harper hissed in her ear, “Ellie, I saw Alice sneak upstairs after your husband. They’ve been up there forever. Should we check it out?”
Eliana’s chest tightened. Though she trusted Theodore, his history with Alice was a raw nerve.
She gave a tight nod.
Harper had no intention of staying near Ashton. “I’m coming with you. Maybe I can help.”
Ashton blocked their path when they turned to leave. “Where do you think you’re taking my girl?”
Eliana fixed him with a frosty stare. “To catch an affair.”
Upstairs in the guest room, Theodore shoved Alice to the floor, his expression lethal. “Alice, you pulled this stunt behind Anthony’s back?”
Alice clutched his pant leg, eyes welling with fake tears. “Theodore, he forced me. Save me and save yourself from this mess, please!”
Theodore went still. He thought, ‘So Anthony doesn’t care about Alice at all. He used her as bait.‘
But any feelings he’d once had for Alice were long buried. He wouldn’t lay a finger on her now.
Seeing his unruffled demeanor, Alice asked miserably, “After all this, you still won’t even spare me a glance?”
Finding the door impossible to open, Theodore flopped onto the sofa and shut his eyes, feigning relaxation.
His indifference only stung Alice deeper. “What does Eliana have that I don’t? She married you and plays nurse just for your grandpa’s fortune. You’d rather be with a gold digger than rekindle things with me?”
Theodore’s voice turned frigid. “I know who Eliana is better than anyone. And I know who you are. You sacrificed your own child to frame her, Alice. You’ve turned into another Anthony.”
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Chapter 167
Alice’s eyes widened. “You’re brainwashed by Eliana. You believe every damn word she says!”
Outside the door, Harper pointed to the room. “I saw them go in here one after the other,” she hissed to Eliana.
Eliana reached for the door, but Harper stopped her. “Knocking like that gives them time to cover up. Catching cheaters needs shock and awe. Watch and
learn.”
AD
