Chapter 228
5
During breakfast, Jayden noticed Eliana wearing a simple yet elegant designer dress, a far cry from her usual cheap online finds. He couldn’t help but ask with a grin, “Are you two heading out to somewhere fun?”
“Mm,” Eliana responded.
Jayden, barely able to contain his excitement, asked, “Where are you guys going? Can I come along!”
Theodore cut him off bluntly. “Do you really think it’s appropriate to tag along on someone’s date?”
At the mention of a date, Anthony set down his cutlery and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “What a lovely time you two are having, Theodore
and Eliana.”
Theodore cast a cool glance at him and Alice, then retorted, “You could do the same too.”
Anthony’s gaze turned cold. He hadn’t received an invitation to the yacht party. After all, only one official representative from Russell Group was needed
there.
Alice placed a protective hand on her belly and declared, “I’m not going anywhere right now. I just want to stay home and take good care of my baby.”
A week ago, Alice’s pregnancy was confirmed, complicating Eliana’s feelings toward Anthony. He claimed not to love her, yet still got her pregnant, so his ulterior motives were certainly worth pondering.
Aside from Alice herself, no one was more delighted about the pregnancy than Lainey. After all, she had long yearned for Anthony to have a child.
“The doctor said you have a delicate body, so you must be extra careful while carrying the baby. Why don’t you stay home with me today and help me pick out a nutritionist for the baby?”
Determined to protect her precious grandchild, Lainey went so far as to hire a nutritionist, terrified that Alice might lose her child due to her poor health
again.
“Of course, Lainey,” Alice complied, then shot Eliana a taunting look.
Alice thought, ‘That’s why they always said having a child secures a woman’s place in the family, and some things never go out of style. So what if she had his love now? Her stomach’s still flat, and there’s no telling where the problem really lies.
‘If this drags on any longer, she’d end up just another fading memory the moment his interest shifted. Meanwhile, I’d already have a child and a secured position by then.‘
Seeing Alice’s smug smile, Eliana couldn’t help but recall the child who had died from her fall off the cliff. ‘If having a child means using them as a bargaining chip,’ she thought bitterly, ‘I’d rather remain childless.‘
Around noon, they were approaching Vermont, and the driver, Brad, announced, “Mr. and Mrs. Russell, we’ve arrived.”
the shore. Children played along the With that, Eliana stepped out with Theodore. Before them towered a magnificent five–story luxury yacht doc waterfront, but in front of the colossal vessel, they looked so tiny–almost as if the behemoth could swallow … whole.
Eliana glanced at the cruise ship’s hull, where the name “Dream” was elegantly painted.
The cruise ship was decked out with vibrant balloons, floral arrangements, and ribbons. Waiters in tuxedos bustled about, while laughter and music filled the air, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Just then, someone with a deep, rich male voice called out to them from behind. “Theodore.”
Eliana turned around to see a distinguished–looking, middle–aged man in his fifties walking toward them with a smile, followed by an impressive
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entourage that made for quite an imposing presence.
‘Wait, isn’t that the mayor? No wonder his entourage is so grand,‘ Eliana thought.
While she was still deep in thought, Theodore had already stepped forward to shake hands with the mayor. “Hello, Mr. Jean.”
The mayor, Franco Jean, patted him warmly on the hand. “Theodore, I’m truly delighted you came. I was worried you might just send one of your executives instead.”
Theodore replied coolly, “Honestly, I mainly just wanted to bring my wife along for some fun this time.”
‘Wait… what?‘ Eliana thought, completely taken aback. ‘At such a high–profile networking event, instead of focusing on securing major deals to boost the city’s GDP, Theodore is just thinking about bringing me along for leisure?‘
Franco said earnestly, “Theodore, I’m counting on your company to boost our city’s year–end revenue. Don’t let me down.”
“Business can always wait,” Theodore said calmly but firmly. “But quality time with family is limited. You must understand that all too well, Mr. Jean.
Franco paused in surprise and instinctively looked at Eliana, wondering to himself, ‘How did she manage to get a workaholic like Theodore to say such things?‘
Noticing Franco’s gaze, Eliana nodded politely and said, “Hello, Mr. Jean.“.
“Hello.” Seeing that Theodore firmly held Eliana’s hand, Franco politely refrained from shaking hers.
With a warm smile, he said, “Ms. Burke, has anyone ever told you how lucky you are? This is the first time I’ve heard a CEO say at a public event that he wants to spend more time with his family instead of just focusing on making money.”
Eliana’s gaze clouded over slightly. ‘To be cherished or wounded, it all rested on Theodore’s whim. He could shower me with the utmost devotion, or inflict the deepest wounds with just a change of mind,‘ she thought bitterly.
Outwardly, she maintained a polite smile and said, “Mr. Jean, don’t worry. I won’t let him focus solely on me and neglect everything else.”
‘What a smart girl,” Franco thought to himself, clearly impressed. With an approving smile, Franco gave Theodore a pat on the shoulder and said, “Come along. Let’s board the ship together.”
Since they were boarding the ship with the mayor, security didn’t even check their invitations and waved them through.
When Theodore appeared alongside the mayor, their combined presence had a multiplier effect on everyone aboard the cruise ship, creating a buzz far greater than the sum of its parts.
Noticing people around them approaching with drinks in hand, Theodore turned decisively to Franco and said, “Mr. Jean, I think we should go our separate ways now.”
“Wait a moment,” Franco said. “I’d like to introduce you to some key international investors first.”
Theodore replied coolly, “No need for that. If I want to get to know them, I’ll do it on my own terms.”
Defeated by his stubborn persistence, Franco could only nod reluctantly and allow them to leave.
Seeing this, Randy, Franco’s right–hand man, couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Jean, given how Theodore keeps snubbing you, why do you keep giving Russell Group tax breaks every year?”
Franco cast him a sidelong glance. “If you were in my position, what would you do?”
Without a second thought, Randy blurted, “I’d definitely raise Russell Group’s tax threshold. After all, they’re hogging so much of our city’s land. Every square inch is at a premium.”
Franco asked coolly, “And then? What if Theodore, in a fit of anger, moves Russell Group’s headquarters out of our city, or shifts its strategic focus to
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Chapter 228
branches elsewhere? What would we do then?”
Randy was momentarily stunned. “Uh…”
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Franco jabbed a finger at his face and said sternly, “My pride means nothing. What truly matters is the flourishing Russell Group. Anyone who makes trouble for them makes trouble for me. Is that clear?”
Randy hung his head in shame.
Meanwhile, as Eliana passed by the outdoor pool, she spotted a group of stunning women in bikinis laughing and splashing around with water guns.
Under the blazing summer sun, the poolside was lined with gorgeous women in revealing swimsuits, each with curves to die for–a true feast for the
eyes.
Even as a woman, Eliana couldn’t help but sneak a few extra glances at the bikini–clad beauties by the pool. Yet to her surprise, Theodore remained completely unfazed, and his gaze never strayed.
Just then, a sudden squirt from a water gun hit Eliana’s face. Though the water pressure wasn’t strong, it startled her enough to make her let out a startled yelp.
AD
