When he saw her lugging those heavy wooden crates, Nolan’s heart skipped a beat. The two phone calls he’d gotten still fresh in his head, he darted over and yanked the crate from her grasp.
Eliana’s eyes flew up as the weight vanished from her arms. Seeing Nolan, she said quietly, “Mr. Hall, you shouldn’t be here.”
Dropping the crate, Nolan said, “Mr. Russell told me to keep an eye on you.”
“Which one?” Eliana asked.
“Both,” Nolan said, giving her an amazed look. “They’re both dead set on making sure you’re okay.”
Anthony was expected, but when Theodore called too, Nolan had practically leaped out of his chair in shock and swore on his life to protect Eliana at all
costs.
Eliana hesitated, then said, “But I messed up.”
Nolan groaned at her stubbornness. “You’re too damn honorable for your own good. The police report came back yesterday. The chandelier’s main shaft wasn’t welded right. That’s why it crashed.”
His words triggered a memory for her. “Mr. Hall, the guy who installed that chandelier is a total stranger. I’d never seen him before.”
She’d tried to ask who hired him, but Alice had interrupted. She’d taken Alice on a tour, and when she came back, the guy was gone.
Still, blaming Alice felt nuts. Who risks their own neck like that?
Nolan perked up. “Tell you what–let’s go to the station now. You can describe this guy in detail. Maybe there’s more to this than we think.”
Eliana nodded. “Okay.”
If someone had sabotaged it on purpose, at least her guilt wouldn’t crush her anymore.
Two hours later, Nolan walked Eliana straight back to the department after she’d finished giving her statement.
He looked at the stunned team and said, “Until this is fully figured out, I don’t think Eliana did anything seriously wrong here. So I’d rather none of you pick on her–especially if I catch wind of it.”
This was practically a “this woman is under my protection” declaration, and it instantly had the department’s women fuming with jealousy. Two of them even hissed under their breath.
“She thinks she’s all that because she’s pretty and flirty?”
“Yeah, and with her own sister’s fiancé, too.”
Nolan had sharp ears–he spun around to face them immediately. “What’d you just say?”
For all his usual easygoing nature, Nolan could be brutal when pushed. “Ms. Smith,” he said.
Jennifer jumped to attention. “Yes, Mr. Hall.”
“Tell finance to cut their paychecks for this month. They’re done as of tomorrow.”
The two women went rigid, their faces turning pale.
“Mr. Hall?” Eliana thought the call was too abrupt.
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“I gotta set an example, or people never learn.” After a beat, Nolan gave a bitter smile only she could see. “If I’d let this go today, those two Mr. Russells backing you wouldn’t have spared me.”
Eliana was at a loss for words, thinking, ‘Is that really a thing? Does Theodore and Anthony’s power really reach into Starlight Media?”
As if sensing her doubt, Nolan sighed, “In a world where the strong call the shots, nothing’s off the table.”
Next to Russell Group, Starlight Media didn’t stand a chance.
That evening, Eliana held a bouquet of flowers and followed the address Anthony had told her to locate Alice’s hospital room. She stood at the doorway and called softly, “Ms. Powell.”
Alice, propped against the headboard reading a book, looked up at the sound. Seeing it was Eliana, she shut the book promptly and said, “Come on in.”
Eliana stepped inside. After arranging the flowers, she asked, “Ms. Powell, how are you feeling now?”
Alice gave her a faint smile. “Just some scrapes and bruises. Thanks for caring.”
After a moment, she touched her left leg and said sincerely, “If you hadn’t pulled me aside, I’d be in a lot worse shape.”
Eliana didn’t take the credit. “This was my professional oversight.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault.” Alice shook her head firmly as if convinced Eliana had no part in what happened.
Eliana had already greeted and apologized. Thinking about Alice’s connection to Theodore, she fell silent, unsure of what to say next.
In the awkward quiet, Alice spoke first. “Theodore carried me away in a rush. Do you hold it against me?”
If Hannah had asked that, it would’ve been a clear provocation. But Alice was so delicate and kind as though doubting her were unthinkable.
Eliana dropped her gaze to hide her feelings. “I was just a bit taken aback by your relationship.”
Alice let out a soft sigh. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. I really had no say in the matter.”
At that, Eliana couldn’t help glancing at the diamond ring on Alice’s finger. She thought, ‘If Theodore hadn’t gone blind in the car crash, he’d be the one who’d put that ring on her, wouldn’t he?‘
As Eliana zoned out, she heard Alice add, “Anthony wants me to be released tomorrow to rest at Russell Manor. I hope that’s okay
‘So soon? Can’t you stay in the hospital a few more days?‘ The instant she realized she’d just had such a selfish thought, Eliana’s eyes
you.
flickered.
She quickly said, “Ms. Powell, I should head back now. Get some rest. The engagement party incident is still under investigation–Starlight will definitely -give you an explanation once there’s a result.”
‘Let them investigate. They won’t find anything anyway,‘ Alice sighed inwardly but replied, “All right.”
Meanwhile, in the rooftop boxing ring of Russell Manor, one man was pinning another to the mat, delivering blow after blow.
“Fight back!” Theodore barked, landing a punch to Anthony’s torso. But Anthony refused to defend himself.
“I said fight back!” With a brutal strike from Theodore, Anthony finally crumpled to his knees in a sorry state.
Theodore halted, staring down at him. “Two years later, you still haven’t improved.”
Anthony grinned, blood trickling from his lip. “Whatever makes you happy.”
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“Your tactics are getting more underhanded,” Theodore snapped. “You leaked the engagement party drama to the press before Merlin could bury it.”
He stated it as fact–no one else there yesterday would dare leak a Russell family scandal.
+20
“Theodore, beat me all you want, I won’t fight back. But don’t falsely accuse me.” Anthony raised an eyebrow. “I wonder what Eliana would think of you if she saw this.”
Theodore instantly seized his collar, expressionless. “You think she gives a damn about you?”
Anthony met his stare defiantly. “You’re scared she might?”
Theodore’s gaze darkened. Before he could strike again, a servant entered, keeping her head lowered. “Mr. Theodore Russell, Mrs. Eliana Russell has returned.”
Theodore let him go and said in disgust, “Stay away from her.”
After he left, Anthony licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, eyes narrowing. “I can’t do that. Why should she be your light alone?”
