Chapter 190
“Joseph’s expression tightened. “Mr. Russell, we’ve barely even started. Where exactly do you think you’re going?”
Theodore didn’t flinch. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hill. Something urgent came up, and have no choice but to deal with it right away?
Joseph narrowed his eyes. “Let me remind you. Russell Group isn’t the only company I’m in talks with, I came here first as a courtesy, out of respect for you.
Stanley watched nervously from the side. Joseph was all about pride and appearances. If Theodore just walked out now, it would be the equivalent of slamming the door in his face.
Theodore’s voice was steady, sincere. “And I appreciate
te that. I truly do. Once I’ve taken care of this, I’ll come to you personally to make things right”
But Joseph’s patience had run dry. He rose abruptly, a cold smile pulling at his lips. “Then I suppose there’s nothing more to discuss. You go handle your emergency, and I’ll find another partner.”
He turned and walked out, his steps sharp with offense. As the door shut behind him, Theodore slowly turned to Stanley, his face unreadable.
Stanley instinctively lowered his head, already preparing to take the blame, only to hear Theodore’s voice, clipped and to the point. “Well? I told you to book the fight. Why are you still standing here?”
Stanley blinked, thinking, “Wait he’s not mad about the deal?‘
Late that night, the plane landed in L hospital.
Lunara right on time. Theodore climbed into the waiting car, his voice low, rough around the edges. “Take me to the
“Yes, sir.” The driver, a handsome young man, nodded and pulled onto the road without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Eliana was keeping vigil beside Megan, who was still recovering from surgery. The knife had gone in deep. Fortunately, it hadn’t damaged any vital organs, and the uterus had been spared. But it had been a terrifying near miss.
When Megan stirred, the anesthesia wearing off, she let out a soft groan of pain.
Eliana leaned over qu
dover quickly. “Hold on. I’ll go get the doctor, Just breathe through it.”
She rushed out of the room and approached the medical staff at the nurse’s station. But before she could speak, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, tight and unrelenting.
“Oh!” the doctor beside her gasped and instinctively stepped forward, ready to intervene until the man spoke. “She’s my wife.”
The doctor turned to Eliana, waiting for confirmation.
She gave a slight nod.
She hadn’t even needed to look. The distinct scent of his cologne, crisp and familiar, and the low timbre of his voice told her everything she needed to know. It was Theodore.
What truly shocked her was that he had come all this way.
The do
doctor, reassured, headed off to check of Megan.
The next moment. Theodore gently turned Eliana around to face him.
14
Chapter 190
Their eyes locked. There was no sécusation
sze, only concern, deep and tent buried berath themantha
Oh that instant, the wall between them crumbled. The cold war was over.
He no longer cared about Luke, or about whatever he had feared. All he cared about was that she was here and whola,
Ellana’s chest tightened as she caught sight of the stubble on his face and the fatigue etched between his brows. He had come all the way to i her. Surely, there was no need to keep arguing over pride.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” she said softly. “It’s Megan who got hurt.”
She explained, “Some local guy tried to grab my bag. Megan saw w what was happening and jumped into stop him. He stabbed her stand.”
Theodore immediately recalled the photo from a Limara news report, Eliana’s hands drenched in blood, and pressed her, the image refusing to leave his
mind.
“Oh, that?” she said, realizing what he meant. “I was trying to stop Megan’s bleeding. That’s why my hands were covered in her blood”
Theodore stopped for a moment and let out a small, almost embarrassed laugh. He realized he’d been acting jealous and overthinking things, getting worked up over a single photo and imagining all the worst.
Eliana spoke again. “Theodore, Megan was hurt because she was trying to protect my things. Do you want to go in and see her?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
…..
Back in the hospital room, Megan had just finished taking her pain medication and was easing back into bed with her agent’s help when something at the doorway caught her eye.
Her eyes widened. She grabbed her agent’s sleeve and whispered, stunned, “Tell me I’m not hallucinating from blood loss. Is that really. Theodore Russell?”
The agent glanced over and froze, “it is. That’s Mr. RussellTM
“Then help me sit up!” Megan whispered sharply, already struggling to rise. The last thing she needed was to be caught lying there looking pale and pathetic, especially by the man holding her endorsement contract.
But Theodore had already stepped into the room. His tone was cool but firm. “Don’t Let her rest.”
At that, the agent let go of Megan’s arm, and she sank reluctantly back into the pillows.
Trying to mask her embarrassment, Megan gave a sheepish smile. “I know I’m not exactly camera–ready right now. No makeup, hospital lighting. But give me a little time, and I’ll be back to looking just like my ads.”
Theodore, seeing through her nervousness, said simply, “Don’t worry. You’re still our spokesperson.”
Both Megan
legan and her agent visibly relaxed, shoulders dropping in relief.
Then, turning briefly to Eliana beside him, Theodore looked back at Megan and added, “And thank you for stepping in to protect Ellie.”
Megan quickly waved it off. “It was nothing. Really. Just instinct. I’m okay.”
Her agent nodded in agreement. Sure, Megan had taken a knife to the stomach, but if Theodore remembered this moment, that injury might just buy he something bigger down the line
“Oh, Mr. Russell,” Megan added, as something clicked in her mind. “The guy who tried to grab Mrs. Russell’s bag? He’s actually in the video I sent you?
2/3
Chapter 190
The moment the words left her mouth, she knew she’d said too much. Elians gave them a questioning look
Realizing she couldn’t walk it back, Megan did the only thing she could. She closed her eyes and pretended to faint
Theodore let out a small cough, then turned in Eliana with a poorly veiled macuse, Timexhausted. Do you think you could take
An hour later, Elana brought Theodore back to the hotel she and Megan had checked into the night before.
Megan now in the hospital, Theodore had naturally taken over their presidential suite.
Soul.” The montent the door shut behind them, Eliana turned toward him, ready to ask about the
Theodore kissed her, hard
All the restraint he’d held onto throughout the day collapsed in an instant.
But the words never left her mouth as
Now that they were alone, nothing stood in his way. His mouth found hers with urgency, weeks of frustration and longing crashing into that single moment. It was raw, consuming, and electric.
He backed her toward the bed without breaking the kiss. But just as things began to spiral, Eliana caught sight of the nightstand, lined with Megan’s skincare products
The illusion shattered. “That’s enough, Theodore,” she whispered, breathless. “This is… not the place.”
Eliana pushed gently against his mouth, her palm resting on his lips.
Theodore didn’t move right away. He looked around, finally noticing all the traces of Megan still in the room. His jaw t
We’ll get another room,” he muttered.
tensed.
Ө
