Chapter 24
Eliana’s face turned red. “You call that helping?”
Samuel replied at an unhurried pace, “Well, it is your job. I just gave it a little push.”
Eliana was so angry that her head hurt. “So I should be thanking you now?”
“Mrs. Russell, you’re very welcome,” Samuel said calmly, even sounding like he was in the mood for a casual chat.
He added, “Mr. Daniel Russell said that even if Mr. Theodore Russell’s eyesight can’t be restored, he still hopes he’ll have a child or two. No point letting good genes go to waste.”
Eliana let out a cold laugh and said out of spite, “Well, having a kid costs extra.”
Samuel responded, “As for that, Mr. Daniel Russell and your father signed a contract. Maybe you should ask your father whether having a child is included in the terms.”
At that, Eliana could only hang up with a frustrated, helpless huff.
Then she looked over at Theodore and asked, her voice low, “You heard all that?”
“I did.” Theodore’s expression remained calm.
Eliana had no choice but to remind him, “Don’t you think you should say something?”
“Like what?”
“An apology, obviously.”
Theodore asked slowly, “And how do I know you and Samuel didn’t plan this ahead of time? Maybe he was just helping you clear your name so I’d let my guard down.”
Eliana could hardly believe her ears. “Mr. Russell, do you always assume the worst in people?”
“Takes one to know one.” Theodore replied. Then, mimicking her tone from earlier, he gave a half–smile. “Having a kid costs extra, huh?”
Eliana thought, “That line was just to gross Samuel out.
Eliana simply pulled the box of birth control pills from her bag and shoved it into his hand. “You may not be able to see it, but I bought these this morning and already took one. Don’t worry, I won’t be getting pregnant.”
Theodore ran his fingers across the one empty slot in the pack. As he heard her so confidently lay it out like that, something about it suddenly felt harsh to him.
He didn’t say anything, and Eliana, worried he’d spiral into another round of conspiracy theories, stood up, ready to leave.
Hearing her movement, Theodore said instinctively, “Stop.
Eliana asked, “What?”
“The groceries?”
“I bought them.”
“Then cook
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Chapter 24
Eliana snorted, “Heartless.” She had actually thought he was about to apologize.
93%
+20)
Just like Samuel had mentioned yesterday, the second–floor kitchen had clearly been out of use for a long time. But since that floor was mainly within Theodore’s domain, it made sense that the staff hadn’t bothered keeping it in order.
Eliana scrubbed the pots and pans clean, then turned to start cooking shrimp scampi from Samuel’s recipe–only for a live shrimp to suddenly leap out of the sink and land on the floor.
Just as she bent down to pick it up, a pair of men’s shoes appeared in front of her.
She looked up and saw Anthony, his suit jacket draped over his left arm, standing there with a concerned expression. “Eliana, what are you doing?”
Anthony was still the acting head of the Russell family, and even if Theodore hated him, Eliana kept things polite. Theodore said he wanted to try my cooking, so I borrowed the kitchen for a bit. Hope you don’t mind.”
Anthony’s gaze shifted—he now looked at her with something closer to pity, as if thinking this so–called Mrs. Russell didn’t have even a hint of status in this house.
But he didn’t comment. Instead, he set his jacket aside and rolled up his sleeves. “Let me help. This stuff’s not easy for a girl to handle alone.”
Eliana was surprised. “It’s alright, Mr. Russell.”
Anthony smiled warmly, “Don’t worry. I’ve done this kind of thing before.”
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