Chapter 191
Ellana pretended not to catch the implication. “I’m perfectly comfortable here. If the fact that Megan used this room bothers you, feel free to get mot
one.
Theodore didn’t press the issue. She’d made her stance clear, and pushing her would only put her off again.
Besides, even if she hadn’t said no, he doubted he could go through with it anyway. The idea of lying in the same bed Megan had just used made his skin crawl. These days, even the clothes Alice had touched ended up in the trash.
“Alright,” he muttered.
But he made no move to leave. Eliana frowned. “Then why are you still here?”
Theodore’s gaze dropped to her face, soft under the golden lamplight. Her features were delicate, warm, and irresistibly close. “Let me hold you a little longer.”
It had been too many sleepless nights and too many cold silences. A little closeness felt like the only thing that could ground him.
Eliana sighed. “Didn’t you say you were exhausted?”
He leaned in and brushed a kiss against the back of her hand, still resting near his lips, then straightened slowly and took a deep breath, as though reining himself in. “Just let me stay a bit longer. Please.”
She nodded and sat up beside him. As she shifted, her hand pressed something beneath the blankets, followed by the sudden flicker of the TV screen. And there it was, an adult film already mid–scene, full volume, full action.
Eliana froze. Then she slapped a hand over her eyes.
Theodore immediately looked away as well, not out of disinterest, but because the very temptation was sitting just beside him.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
“It was an accident!” Eliana blurted out, catching the unmistakable tension in his voice. She fumbled beneath the covers until she found the remote and hastily switched off the TV.
A long silence followed. Then Theodore spoke again, voice dry. “So.. you and Megan watched this last night before bed?”
“I didn’t.”
“So Megan did?”
“She said it was for acting research,” Eliana mumbled, her face flushing. “She wanted to compare foreign films to… you know, local ones.”
Theodore stared at her bent head for a moment, then let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You actually believed that? She just wanted to watch porn.”
Eliana gave him a shove. “Can you not say that out loud? And go already, before you make this even more awkward.”
She was worried that if he stayed any longer, she’d lose control of the situation.
He smiled to himself as he stood, clearly amused, As he reached the door, he turned and said, “And no more watching that kind of stuff behind my back, got it?”
The possessiveness in his voice was subtle but unmistakable. No way he was letting his woman sit around watching naked men.
“I know,” she muttered, cheeks still burning. She opened the door, flustered. “Just go!”
But he wasn’t done. Right before stepping out, he looked back at her with a teasing smile and said, “If you really can’t help yourself… you know where to
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Chapter 191
Eliana could only stare at him, completely lost for words.
When Theodore entered the presidential suite he’d just booked, all traces of amusement vanished from his face. His expression turned cold and sharp)
He pulled out his phone and made a call. “Did you find him??
“Yes, Mr. Russell. I ran the footage. The man who tried to
Russell is a known member of a local gang. Small time muscle. Orders?”
Theodore’s voice dropped to a low, dangerous murmur. “Y
know Lunara. Handle it. Break his hand.”
“Consider it done, sir. He won’t even remember what it felt
to have working fingers.”
The next morning, at Russell Group.
The receptionist spotted a middle–aged man walking into the l
lobby, looking a little lost. She approached him with a polite smile. “Good morning, sir. Who are you here to see?”
The man looked a bit flustered. “I… I’m looking for Mr. Russell.”
“I’m sorry,” she replied, “Mr. Russell is currently out of the country on business. We’re not sure when he’ll be back.”
A troubled look crossed the man’s face. “Why would he leave at a time like this?”
Then, as if realizing something, he quickly asked, “Is there anyone else I could speak to? Someone in charge?”
د
The receptionist paused for a second. “Well, with Mr. Russell away, the deputy CEO, Mr. Anthony Russell, is technically in charge. But… do you have an appointment?”
He shook his head.
“In that case…” She was about to politely turn him away when the man suddenly cut her off.
“Miss, could you please just tell Mr. Anthony Russell that my name is Hudson. I’m Eliana’s father.”
Meanwhile, in Anthony’s office.
“Mr. Russell, I told your brother yesterday. I’m not interested in doing business with your company. So what exactly am I doing here today?”
Anthony, facing the older man sitting stiffly across from him, kept his composure and smiled. “Mr. Hill, I heard things didn’t go too well between you and Theodore yesterday.”
“Didn’t go too well?” Joseph snorted. “The man’s insufferable. I’m old enough to be his father, and yet he couldn’t show me the most basic respect. And that ridiculous secretary of his? Barging in right in the middle of a serious discussion.”
Anthony listened without interruption, then said with genuine courtesy, “I’m truly sorry to hear that.”
Joseph waved him off, clearly annoyed. “Save it. Your brother didn’t seem the least bit sorry. Full of himself, that one.”
Anthony gave a calm smile. “I’m not apologizing for him. I’m apologizing on behalf of Russell Group. You probably know this already, Mr. Hill, but my brothers and I haven’t seen eye to eye for a long time.
“If you’ve already dismissed Theodore, why not consider working with me? The two of us could make a great team and teach him a lesson he won’t forget.”
Chapter 191
Joseph raised an eyebrow. “And what, let Theodore benefit from my business anyway? I’m not that gullible.”
“That’s where you’re mistaken,” Anthony said smoothly. “I’ve just taken over the Stonemere branch. If you hand the order to me, I’ll personally see to it that everything is handled to your satisfaction.”
Joseph stroked his chin thoughtfully. The idea of putting Theodore in his place was, admittedly, very tempting.
At that moment, Anthony’s assistant stepped into the room. “Mr. Russell…”
Anthony’s expression turned cold. “Can’t you see I have a guest? Out!”
The assistant quickly backed out, head lowered.
Joseph gave a low chuckle. “At least you know how to be courteous. Unlike your brother.”
Whatever the truth was, Anthony’s attitude clearly worked in his favor. Joseph leaned back, satisfied. “Alright then. Forget Theodore and his precious head office. I’ll give your branch a shot. Just don’t make me regret it.”
Anthony’s eyes gleamed with quiet triumph. For once, he was a step ahead of Theodore, “You have my word, Mr. Hill.”
After personally walking Joseph out, Anthony turned back toward the lobby, and noticed a man sitting quietly near the windows.
He didn’t recognize him. As he waited for the elevator, the receptionist came over and said, “Mr. Russell, the gentleman sitting over there is Mr. Hudson. He says he’s Mrs. Eliana Russell’s father.”
Anthony turned abruptly, wondering, ‘Eliana’s father? What is he doing here?‘
“He said he was looking for Mr. Theodore Russell, but…”
Anthony raised a hand, cutting her off. “Got it.”
He walked over to the man, who looked restless and deep in thought. “You must be Mr. Burke?”
Startled, Hudson looked up at the tall, composed young man with a kind expression.
AD
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