Chapter 256
As soon as Eliana got into the taxi, she called Theodore right away. “Theodore.”
Hearing the odd tone in her voice, Theodore couldn’t help asking, “Is something wrong?”
“I just saw Harper off, and Ashton showed up. He saw me and asked if I’d helped Harper. I said yes. So if he comes to you about this, don’t say you were the one pulling the strings,” Eliana had to warn him.
Theodore caught her unspoken meaning. “I get it. You don’t have to worry about my relationship with him.”
“Okay, good,” Eliana said, then ended the call, finally feeling at ease.
Meanwhile, at Russell Group. After putting down his phone, Theodore looked at the person across from him. “Where were we just
now?”
Marcus picked up the thread. “We were talking about how Wren Group wants to partner with Russell Group to jointly bid for the Deepcove construction project.”
Deepcove connected several seaports and had long been tightly controlled by the government. But recently, the government had suddenly let word slip that various companies could jointly bid for the right to build it.
This meant Deepcove would become a showcase for the winning entrepreneurs. But the upfront investment and annual taxes to the government would be sky–high.
Most companies couldn’t swallow it alone, so everyone was scrambling to find partners. And Russell Group, with its deep pockets, naturally became the top choice for collaboration.
If Marcus hadn’t relied on their childhood friendship, he probably wouldn’t have gotten to see Theodore so quickly.
“Theodore, once Deepcove is built, it’ll definitely drive the country’s economic growth and lead to technological changes. You’ll be the master of this empire then. Wren Group only needs a tenth–no, a fifteenth of the profits,” he said.
Theodore said lightly, “I’ll think about it.”
Marcus felt a bit powerless about the answer, but couldn’t say much. “Theodore, Wren Group is sincere about this partnership. And we’ll never repeat the mistakes from two years ago.”
Theodore remained cool. “I know. Anything else?”
Marcus decided to be straightforward. “Theodore, my father has regretted cutting ties with Russell Group these past two years.
“When he knew I was meeting you today, he asked me to tell you he’s hosting a dinner at home tonight, just to apologize to you in person. If you have time, my family will be waiting for your visit,” he added.
Theodore’s eyes held no warmth, and his tone was flat. “We’ll see.”
The next second, Stanley walked in. “Mr. Russell, the CEO of Lumina Ventures has been waiting outside for a while.”
Hearing that, Marcus stood up tactfully. “Then I’ll head back first, Theodore.”
Theodore nodded. “Hmm. See him out.” Stanley immediately escorted Marcus out.
As the door closed, Theodore’s expression turned cold in an instant. The head of the Wren family had abandoned him in his darkest
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Chapter 256
hour. Now they were crawling back to curry favor.
He thought, ‘They think I’m that easy to waver in front of such trivial profits, or they really mean to apologize to me?
If he hadn’t regained his vision and taken back control of Russell Group, he’d never have gotten a shred of kindness from the Wren family.
Meanwhile, at Burke Group. Hudson’s office door was suddenly open. He looked up, saw it was Hannah, and frowned. “Hannah, what are you doing here?”
Hannah didn’t mention how Hude
had made Belinda storm back to her parents‘ house. “Dad, I was bored at home, so I thought
I’d come help at the company. Is that okay?”
Hudson was surprised. “Uh, didn’t you always look down on our size?”
“Dad, when have I ever looked down on it? Don’t wrong me,” Hannah said, walking over to rub his shoulders.
They were having a cozy moment when Linsey walked in, saying rigidly, “Mr. Burke, lunch break’s over. It’s time to work.”
Pausing, Linsey noticed Hannah and added, “Also, please ask irrelevant people to leave.”
Hannah eyed her warily but smiled, “I’m Hannah. You must be the new secretary my dad hired?”
“Yes,” Linsey replied, then repeated, “Mr. Burke needs to work. Please leave.”
Hannah, annoyed that Linsey was ignoring her status, said, “I’m having a serious talk with my dad. He hasn’t told me to go. You, a mere assistant, are overstepping.”
Linsey looked at Hudson with a straight face. He held up a finger, pleading. “Linsey, just a minute? Please?”
Linsey nodded reluctantly.
Seeing that, Hannah was more determined to stay. “Dad, give me a position.”
“Uh, what do you want to do?” said Hudson.
“I was a director at Starlight Media. Here, I should at least be a general manager,” she said.
Hudson said, “Okay–”
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But Linsey cut in. “Mr. Burke, haven’t you learned your lesson about handing out positions without assessments?”
Hudson thought of Belinda’s two useless nephews and hesitated.
Hannah’s gaze turned cold. “Well, what do you think I’m fit for, Linsey?”
Linsey said, “Ms. Burke, I suggest you go out, turn right, take the elevator to the second floor, and go to HR for an interview.”
Hannah looked insulted. “You want me to interview like those job applicants?”
Linsey replied, “Ms. Burke, don’t look down on those people. As far as I know, you were the ex–girlfriend of Starlight Media’s boss. That director title had more than a little padding.”
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Chapter 256
Hannah choked. “How dare you?”
Hudson saw the tension and jumped in. “Alright, Hannah. I believe in your abilities. A little interview won’t faze you.”
Hannah had hoped he’d stand up for her, but his words sounded like he was siding with Linsey. “Dad, have you lost your mind? Why are you listening to her?”
Hudson had had enough of being incited by Belinda and Hannah. Linsey’s strict stare was a sense of resolve to him. “Hannah, any position in our company is earned. If you don’t like it, don’t bother. I can afford to support you either way.”
Hannah was smarter than Belinda. Seeing Hudson was firm, she swallowed her anger. “Fine. I’ll start from the bottom and prove myself to you, Dad.”
In the blink of an eye, a week passed. At 7 p.m., at Russell Manor, as Eliana lifted a forkful of food, a sharp pain hit her stomach. She put down her utensils and clutched her stomach.
Theodore noticed immediately. “Your stomach hurts again?”
Eliana nodded, grimacing.
Theodore made up his mind. “Let me carry you back to the room to rest.”
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