Chapter 179
That evening Elians retumed to Russell Manor to find Alice directing workers to plant lilles in the courtyard.
At the sight of her, Alice marched over with a provocative look. “My lily garden is making a comeback. Let’s see who can destroy it this time”
Eliana shook her head. Alice still didn’t get it. The lily garden wasn’t the problem. The issue wat its owner. As long as the owner didn’t make mistakes, the garden wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.
Come to think of it, Alice had been acting differently lately. She’d bought a sports car and splurged on clothes and jewelry, so much that shopkeepers sent over entire crates.
Lainey looked annoyed but didn’t say a word.
It was obvious Alice had made a comeback…
Alice said. “By the way, did you know? When I brought Anthony a packed lunch today, I met a female celebrity in the elevator. She said she was there to see Theodore and even planned to have lunch with him.”
After a pause, Alice added, “Guess you’re not that special. How long has it been? Theodore is already tired of you. At least I had been with him for five years, and I was the one who dumped him.”
A female celebrity?
Eliana suddenly remembered Nolan’s phone call from yesterday and understood. “Theodore already told me about this. That celebrity is Megan, an artist from our Starlight Media. She went to Russell Group today to discuss an endorsement”
With each word she spoke, Alice’s face grew more unpleasant, showing that she was telling the truth.
Alice said with a dark face, “Aren’t you afraid she might have a thing with Theodore? That Megan doesn’t seem like a good person.”
Thinking of how Megan had monopolized the elevator yesterday, Eliana said, “She is indeed overbearing, but we can’t generalize. Unless she actually does something, I don’t want to wrong her.”
Seeing that her provocation didn’t work, Alice became angry but couldn’t do anything to Eliana. She couldn’t figure out why a woman could remain so calm after hearing her husband had lunch with another woman.
“If it were me, I would have already charged over and confronted him, she thought.
Just t
a
then, a man approached Alice. “Ms. Powell, we’ve finished planting the lilies. Could you please settle the payment?”
Alice glanced toward the house. “Go inside and ask Mrs. Lainey Russell.”
“I wouldn’t cough up the money I’ve gotten, she thought.
Inside, Lainey was drinking coffee. The moment she heard the man’s words, she slammed her cup down in anger. “What did you say? Alice sent you to me for the payment?”
The man gulped and stammered, “Y–Yes.”
Lainey marched straight off to find Alice, brushing past Eliana who was just coming in
She roared, “Alice, don’t go too farl How much money has Anthony given you these past two days? Now you’re even trying to get money out of me.”
“Lainey, it’s just a bit of money. We’re family. Why be so formal about it?” Alice said.
Eliana heard every word of their argument and suddenly found it ridiculous. “Theodore’s right. Let them tear each other apart, she thought.
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Chapter 179
When Theodore got home, he saw Eliana sitting on the sofa, looking like she was ready to demand an explanation.
“Ellan he called out.
Elana pointed to the spot next to her, her face dead serious. “Come here and sit down.”
Theodore walked over in surprise, sat down, and asked, “What’s going on?”
Eliana crossed her arms and tried to look fierce. “Be honest, who did you have lunch with today?”
Theodore answered calmly, “By mysell”
“You’re lying.”
Theodore laughed, “How am I lying? Want me to call Stanley right now so you can ask him yourself?”
“You’re his boss. You could easily team up to lie to me.”
Theodore roughly figured out what was happening and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Eliana, do you know how cute you look when you’re jealous?”
Eliana gave him a withering look. “Who’s jealous? I’m asking you a serious question. If I hadn’t known in advance that you chose Megan as the spokesperson, I wouldn’t have known how to deal with Alice just now.”
‘So Alice’s mixed up in this too? Theodore wondered.
Theodore’s expression hardened. “Eliana, after a short chat in my office, I sent Megan on her way. I can’t even recall what she looks like now.”
Even though she knew it was a sweet nothing, Eliana couldn’t help but melt.
Theodore shrugged innocently. “Besides, I can control my actions, but I can’t stop others from imagining things that aren’t there.”
Studying his handsome features, Eliana sighed. He has a point. No wonder women fall over themselves for him, she thought
After dinner, Theodore blocked Alice with a cold stare. “One more word of nonsense to Ellie, and you’ll regret it.”
“What are you gonna do?” Alice grew bolder, trailing her hand across his chest suggestively. “Yell at me? Or maybe hit me?”
Theodore swatted her hand away in disgust. “Your parents are educated people. How do you think they’d feel knowing their daughter turned out like this!
Alice flinched. Her parents were her last moral tether. The fear of disappointing them kept her from going home.
Seeing her reaction, Theodore turned and left.
Upstairs in their room, Theodore ripped off his shirt and tossed it in the trash the moment he walked in.
“Theodore, why throw out a perfectly good shirt? Eliana asked, confused.
“Because I can’t stand the sight of it.” He didn’t admit that Alice’s touch had made the fabric feel contaminated.
Eliana was thoroughly perplexed.
Not satisfied with just ditching the shirt, Theodore went to the bathroom and scrubbed himself raw as if washing away his guilt.
Later, when Eliana stepped into the shower, she gasped in shack. “Theodore, you used the entire bottle of body wash?”
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Chapter 179
Theodore gave an honest humi in reply.
“But this is mine.” Eliana put down her empty body wash bottle and held up the full men’s one next to it. “This is your bid you mastake it for parst
Theodore had no shame. “I didn’t mistake it. Hike being surrounded by your
scent”
Clans was embarassed by his cheesy words.
“Then what should I use tonight?” she asked.
“You can use mine.” Theodore said in a lazy voice, “Adults should learn to share.”
Eliana didn’t know what had gotten into him, so she could only helplessly close the bathroom door
Theodore then lowered his head and smelled the scent on his body. A sweet fruity fragrance completely wiped out the discomfort Alice had brought making him squint his eyes comfortably.
