Chapter 311
Theodore said, “I thought I made myself clear enough.”
Marcus‘ eyes lit up. “Great. I’ll go find him right now.”
In the vice president’s office, after hearing Marcus‘ account, Anthony asked in a low voice, “Did Theodore really say that?”
Marcus replied, “Yeah. It’s easy to see what he means. He’s mad about how my dad went too far back then, but he can’t go against the board’s decision. Still, you’re the one who’ll have to take the heat for it.”
Anthony let out a bitter laugh. “I’ve had plenty of blame before. Just remember I did this for you, that’s all.”
Marcus said, “Of course, I will.”
Anthony then signed his name on the contract and stamped the company seal.
Marcus let out a long breath of relief. “Now, the Deepcove project will be a piece of cake for both our companies.”
Anthony picked up the contract and smiled faintly. He thought, ‘If Theodore wouldn’t do it, I would. It won me favor with the Wren family and proved my worth.‘
A
At 10 p.m. at Russell Manor, Theodore was out at a business dinner and still hadn’t returned. Eliana, bored, went out to the courtyard to get
some fresh air.
Then, two car headlights flickered in the distance. Thinking it was Theodore, Eliana hurried toward the gate, only to realize it was Anthony’s car. She immediately turned around to head back inside.
At the same time, Anthony slammed his car door shut, staggered into the courtyard, and called out, “Eliana.”
Eliana couldn’t pretend not to hear. She turned around and said coolly, “You’re back.”
“Yeah,” Anthony smiled and walked toward her. “Eliana, why are you still up?”
“I’m waiting for Theodore.” As he got closer, Eliana caught the smell of alcohol on him and couldn’t help frowning.
“Is it bothering you?” Anthony stopped. “Sorry. I had a few drinks tonight. I was in a good mood.”
Eliana nodded, speaking without warmth. “I’ll head back inside. Do as you like.”
Anthony suddenly let out a laugh. “Eliana, you won’t even look me in the eye now. You’ve become just like everyone else, looking down on me, scoffing at me, and hating me.”
Eliana pressed her lips together. “I’m not looking down on you.”
But just thinking about how he’d once sent people to kill Theodore made her feel a chill all over, and she could
ear to look at him.
Anthony stared at her, his voice sounding almost hurt. “Then, why can’t you treat me like you do Barbie and Jayden? I’m all alone as it is.” Eliana replied, “You have siblings and parents who look out for you in everything. How can you be all alone?”
Mon TI Aug
Chapter 311
“What about you?” Anthony asked, catching her off guard. “Ellana, have you ever thought about me?”
Eliana frowned. “Thought about you?”
Anthony’s gaze settled on the bandage on her forehead, his voice soft and slow. “You couldn’t wait to leave the hospital even though your wound isn’t healed. Eliana, what are you scared of? That I’ll take Theodore’s power?”
Even if that was what she thought, she wasn’t silly enough to say it outright. “You’re overthinking. I just couldn’t stand seeing him neglect company work to stay with me. Besides, my injury’s already better…”
She didn’t get to finish. Anthony suddenly reached up and tore off her bandage in a flash, exposing the wound that hadn’t fully scabbed over “This is what you call better?”
Eliana hadn’t expected him to act so boldly, and she snapped, “This is none of your business! And since you asked tonight, I’ll tell you, unless you and Theodore get along, really get along, I’ll never treat you the same as your siblings.”
As she stomped toward the house, Anthony looked down at the bandage in his hand. The last bit of light in his eyes slowly clouded over. He thought, ‘Anyone who tells me “no” deserves to die!‘
Time flew, and before they knew it, it was the night of the charity auction.
This evening, Theodore and Eliana, who’d also gotten invitations, arrived at the government hall right on time.
As they sat down, Theodore said to her, “Eliana, if you see anything you like tonight, go ahead and bid on it. Think of it as doing a good deed.”
Eliana had just mumbled “Mm” when Marcus showed up with Delilah. The two were good–looking and both single, so they immediately had people coming over to chat.
Watching Delilah stare hard at Theodore, Marcus had to say, “Della, stop gawking. No matter how you look, he’s never gonna be yours.”
Delilah checked the seat number on her invitation, then stubbornly said, “Marc, quick, help me think of a way to get me next to Theodore.”
Marcus said, “Forget it. Seats are all pre–arranged. Don’t break their rules.”
Delilah said, “Rules are made by people. I don’t believe the organizers would dare upset our family over two silly seats.”
“How naive,” Marcus said, dragging her over to their seats/ “Do you think the person who can host an event in the government hall is just -some regular person?”
Once they sat down, seeing her huffing and puffing, Marcus couldn’t help laughing, “Alright, little princess. Whatever you like later, I’ll bid on it for you. Does that work?”
At the same time, the Burke family’s car pulled up outside the government building. Hudson, Belinda, and Hannah got out one after another.
Looking at the grand, serious building in front of them and the guards standing on both sides, Belinda felt a strange sense of nervousness. “This is the right place, right?”
Hannah, beside her, said, “Yeah, Mom, this is it.”
Belinda sighed, impressed, “In the past, these charity events would at most invite your dad. This time, they specially invited our whole family. Seems your dad really made it. Even we got on the list.”
Chapter 311
Hannah took the chance to persuade her. “Mom, If that’s the case, why don’t you say something soft to Dadi Ack him not to divor’s
“Say something soft?” Belinda glanced at Linsey, who’d just gotten out of the driver’s seat. “That homewrecker follows your dad every I’m lucky I haven’t died of anger. How do you expect me to say something soft to him?”
Just then, Hudson’s voice came. “What are you standing around for? Let’s get in.”
Belinda hated his bossy tone. Normally, she would’ve lost her temper, but she had other plans tonight. So she spoke softly, “Honey, you brought enough money, right?”
Hudson glanced at her. “Why?”
Belinda said, “If Hannah sees something nice later, can you bid on it for her? When she tells people her dad got it for her, it’ll make you look good, too.”
Hudson thought a moment. “We’ll see. Gotta spend what we can afford.”
With that, he showed his invitation to the guard and walked through the door.
Belinda’s anger was obvious. Hannah quickly said, “Mom, as long as you and Dad are getting along, I don’t need anything.”
Belinda’s face lit up with emotion at that. “Oh, my good girl. If your dad won’t bid for you, I will.”
AD
