Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Harper reached for the doorknob, then paused. “They locked the door?”
Eliana’s hands at her sides clenched into tight fists. If Theodore is cheating, I’ll ask for divorce on the spot, she thought,
“Easy, Ellie.” Harper pulled a skeleton key from around her neck and knelt to insert it into the lock.
A soft “click” sounded as the latch gave way.
Eliana stared in shock while Harper shot her a smug grin.
Growing up in rough circles, she’d learned tricks like this to fend off trouble back when she waitressed in seedy clubs.
Ashton, lingering behind them, turned livid. This was exactly why he’d replaced every lock in their villa with keypads, to stop her from slipping away.
Harper shoved the door open, expecting to find them tangled together or swapping sweet nothings.
Instead, Theodore sat on the sofa with his eyes shut like a statue in a museum.
Alice looked disheveled with a flushed face, but her clothes were perfectly buttoned. Nothing had gone down.
Theodore’s eyes flew open at the noise. Seeing Eliana, he exhaled in relief, not guilt.
“Mind explaining why you two have been holed up in here alone?” Eliana asked flatly.
Alice hadn’t counted on Eliana showing up, but this was even better. With her as a witness, Theodore couldn’t weasel out.
She said, “We were having an affair, plain and simple.”
Eliana turned to Theodore, only to have him step forward, tilt her chin up, and crash his lips onto hers.
She froze in surprise. ‘How dare he kiss me without an explanation!‘ she thought.
She tried to pound his chest, but he pinned her wrists behind her back, deepening the kiss with gentle force.
The scene spiraled into chaos.
Alice shook with fury. ‘So he isn’t cold. He just saved his fire for Eliana,‘ she thought.
Harper watched with relish, then suddenly stormed toward Alice. “What the hell do you…” Alice shrieked before Harper grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her out. “I mean, how desperate are you? Throwing yourself at someone who doesn’t want you.”
Alice thrashed wildly, losing all dignity. “Who are you to talk? You’re a freaking escort. A two–bit hooker!”
Ashton shot Alice a withering look.
Harper owned it without flinching. “Yep, I used to work at clubs. But I never messed with married guys. Unlike you. You’re not a whore, but you act like
one.”
Just as Harper hauled Alice into the hallway, she spotted Anthony dashing up the stairs with a cameraman.
Knowing there was no time to hide, she switched gears.
Outside the room, Anthony timed it perfectly, then nodded to the reporter.
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Chapter 168
The guy adjusted his camera strap, signaling he was ready.
Anthony unlocked the door with the waiter’s key and burst in, feigning alarm. “Alice, what are you and Theodore…”
His voice trailed off, frozen by the scene.
There sat Theodore, holding Eliana on his lap, planting soft kisses on her. Across the room, Ashton lounged on the sofa. No sign of Alice anywhere.
Where is Alice?‘ Anthony wondered.
Even someone as sharp as him looked thrown off.
Ashton broke the silence. “Mr. Anthony Russell, barging in without knocking is a bit rude, don’t you think?”
He turned to the reporter, voice laced with sarcasm. “And why the camera? Planning to document a couple’s private moment?”
The reporter let his camera drop to his side, gaping at Anthony in disbelief. ‘This isn’t the explosive scoop I’d signed up for; he thought.
Earlier, Anthony had called out to him, promising a blockbuster story and daring him to capture it on film. That was what lured him there.
After a brief moment of panic, Anthony regained his composure and nodded toward the closed bathroom door. “Mind if I take a look?”
He didn’t wait for an answer, striding over and yanking the door open.
Inside, Harper was just zipping up her pants. “Gross! Creep!” she shrieked.
To his utter shock, it was Harper, not Alice.
Anthony froze in confusion. Before he could react, Harper cupped water from the sink and flung it straight at his face.
Anthony stumbled back, wiping his eyes.
Harper stormed out, hands planted on her hips. “Mr. Anthony Russell, spying on people in the bathroom? You’ll be the laughingstock of the town.”
Ashton’s voice cut through the chaos. “Mr. Anthony Russell, you’d better start explaining.”
Caught in their crossfire, Anthony almost cracked.
But he rallied quickly. “My mistake. I was worried about Alice. She vanished.”
“Since when does searching for someone require a camera crew?” Harper interrupted, then gasped dramatically. “Oh my god. Are you some kind of perv who brings reporters to snoop on women? Disgusting!”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Anthony’s face. “I don’t know the guy. He just trailed me up here uninvited.”
The reporter, though frustrated, had to play along. He needed an escape. “Exactly. I saw Mr. Anthony Russell alone and tried to make small talk, but I had no idea I was bothering him. I’ll get out of your hair.”
With that, he hightailed it down the stairs.
Anthony turned back to Theodore’s group, forcing a tight smile. “My bad for the commotion.”
As Harper stepped forward to shut the door, Anthony called out, “Ms. Reynolds, there’s a restroom downstairs, last I checked.”
“I came to find Ellie and had to go urgently. What’s the issue with using this one?” Harper retorted, then threw him a curveball.
She said, “Wonder how much you saw in there, Mr. Anthony Russell. If it was anything scandalous, you might have to take responsibility.”
Ashton’s expression turned glacial. He thought, ‘That woman is asking for it–flirting with another man right under my nose!‘
Chapter 168
“You’re kidding, Ms. Reynolds,” Anthony said, already walking away. “I saw zip.”
