Chapter 38
After all, back when Theodore was with Alice, they had never crossed the line–not even once.
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For one thing, they both agreed to save their first sex for their wedding night; for another, he’d been too absorbed in his work to care much about such things.
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His friends even teased him that maybe something was wrong with him physically. However, Eliana effortlessly shattered his
restraint.
Theodore mused silently, The first night could be blamed on the drug Samuel slipped me, but what about last night?‘
As these thoughts circled in his mind, he heard the bathroom door slide open. Eliana’s syrupy voice followed after. “I’m good to go. See you tonight, Mr. Russell.”
Moments later came the sound of the door swinging open and slamming shut. Clearly, she had a hasty retreat.
Once the room fell quiet again, Theodore finally lifted the blanket and made his way to the bathroom.
The faint scent of cheap perfume still lingered in the air. Theodore felt a bit confused. Eliana was a Burke. Even if their family business was going through a crisis, surely she hadn’t fallen so far as to wear perfume this tacky.
Besides, he couldn’t ignore how driven she seemed when it came to money, more so than most people. He began to wonder, ‘Could it really be like she said? She’s out of favor in her family and has to rely on herself for everything?‘
Eliana soon arrived at Starlight Media. The moment she stepped into the office, several female colleagues looked up in unison, their gazes oddly charged.
“What’s wrong?” Eliana asked instinctively.
They simply gave her polite smiles, saying nothing.
Puzzled but too busy to press the issue, Eliana got to work. It wasn’t until just before lunch, during a quick trip to the restroom, that she overheard whispers.
Someone said in a hushed tone, “Did you guys hear that? Eliana landed a huge client yesterday. If she pulls it off, not only will she get the commission, but she’ll secure a full–time position.”
Another girl sighed, “Yeah, but let’s be real. She’s lucky. Her sister is a director and even took her along to meet the client. We could never dream of that kind of opportunity.”
Someone else chimed in, “Well, I heard it wasn’t Hannah’s idea. Mr. Hall insisted that Hannah bring Eliana. I mean, Eliana is just an assistant. Why would she get assigned to such a major project?
“And get this, Mr. Hall even appointed her as the lead. Even Hannah has to support her on this one.”
The first speaker said, “Well, it is kind of strange”
“Honestly, I think Hannah better watch her back. Last time, Mr. Hall had his secretary send Eliana cold medicine, and now. Eliana was given authority over a project this size? Don’t you think
At that moment, the door opened. Eliana stepped out calmly, catching the shocked expressions on their faces. All the women looked like deer caught in headlights.
Eliana walked to the sink and began washing her hands. Meanwhile, she spoke coolly as she looked at them through the mirror. “What were you saying? I’d love to hear it too.”
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12:36 Wed, 11 Jun DO.
Chapter 38
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The warm and polite Eliana they were used to was gone. The glint of frost in her eyes made the women falter. One of them immediately said, “We were just chatting, Ellie. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”
Eliana kept her voice steady, though her composure was strained. “I just want to know who exactly you heard those from.”
The women glanced at each other, clearly unprepared for confrontation, unable to provide a single name.
Eliana spoke in a cool tone, “Repeat a lie often enough, and it becomes true. You all know that, huh? But we’re all adults, aren’t we? It’s time you learned to take responsibility for the things you say. Otherwise…”
As she spoke, she pulled a paper towel from the dispenser, dried her hands, then crushed the towel into a ball and tossed it into the bin, as if she suggested they were just like trash.
Those women’s expressions darkened in embarrassment, but Eliana walked out without glancing back at them.
Eliana was clear that it was just human nature. Some people were cowardly behind others’s back, but when facing them directly, they’d shrink to nothing.
However, she had a good idea now of who might have started the rumors in the first place.
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