“The same old position, of course. What do you think?” Daniel asked, sounding as if he were genuinely consulting you. But if you took it that way, you’d
be mistaken.
Knowing full well this was a declaration, not a discussion, Anthony gave a bitter smile and said, “I’ll do whatever you decide, Grandpa”
Daniel nodded. “You stepped up when things got tough these past two years and did okay. You can stay on as vice president under Theodore.” Everyone knew that while “president” and “vice president” were only one word apart, their authority was worlds apart.
Anthony’s expression stiffened slightly. He’d expected Daniel to back Theodore, but not this soon or this abruptly. He thought, ‘I’m your grandson too!”
But with everyone watching, he quickly swallowed his bitterness and said, “Grandpa, I’ll follow your arrangements. Great, I’ll finally get to work with Theodore.”
Eliana stood by, stunned. She thought, ‘So this is what they meant by “stripping someone of authority over a dinner“?”
Lainey, meanwhile, looked like she’d lost her spirit, slumping into her chair.
After dinner, Daniel told Theodore and Eliana, “Come with me.”
In the room, Daniel suddenly raised his cane and struck Theodore’s left leg hard.
Eliana stared, shocked. She wondered, ‘What’s happening here?‘
Theodore winced in pain but kept his expression steady.
“Kneel!” Daniel roared.
Theodore glanced aside and pressed his lips. “Grandpa, please don’t embarrass me like this.”
Daniel scoffed. “Embarrass? You’ve got no shame left! Taking Anthony’s fiancée away at his engagement party. Haven’t you had enough of her causing trouble?”
When Theodore stayed silent, Daniel went on. “Two years ago, if she hadn’t asked you out at night, you never would’ve gotten into that car accident!”
At this, Eliana’s eyes widened.
“After all this, you still haven’t learned your lesson. Aren’t you asking for a beating?” Daniel said.
“Whatever you say,” Theodore replied.
Seeing Theodore’s reluctance to engage, Daniel grew so annoyed he lashed out with his cane several more times.
At first, Eliana had wanted to stop Daniel, but then she remembered Theodore was being punished for Alice–and suddenly felt a strange sense of
satisfaction.
Just then, Theodore turned his head, catching her eye and her faint smile. His tone unreadable, he asked, “Enjoying the show?”
Eliana was at a loss for words. Not wanting to draw fire, she quickly touched her nose and looked away.
To her surprise, Theodore gave a faint smile. “Glad you’re entertained.”
He thought, ‘Thank goodness Grandpa has a way of handling things. If a few blows can make her feel better, it’s worth it.
1/3
1 = 66% 1
Chapter 87
After his half–hearted tantrum, Daniel snapped, “Alright, get out of here.”
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “Grandpa, this is our room. If you want to rest, there are plenty of spare rooms in the house.”
As Daniel’s cane threatened to swing again, Theodore limped to the door and left.
Once he was gone, Daníel shook his head. “That brat actually calls this storage room a ‘room‘?”
Eliana stared, confused. “Storage room?”
“He didn’t tell you? This used to be a storage closet. His actual living space is on the top floor–it’s so huge, you could practically ride horses in there.” Seeing her blank look, Daniel smirked. “I guess he was too proud to admit it to you.”
Eliana felt a sudden surge of sympathy for Theodore.
“Though the floor–to–ceiling windows are a smart touch,” Daniel said, walking over to open two small panes. He nodded in satisfaction. “You can smell the flowers from here.”
Eliana replied automatically, “Yeah, lilies.”
Daniel froze, then said sharply, “I’ll have those lily bushes downstairs cut down tomorrow!”
Eliana groaned, “Please don’t!”
Alice was moving into Russell Manor tomorrow. If she saw her favorite lilies torn out, she’d assume Eliana was jealous of her.
Daniel was about to say more when a sudden blast of cold wind swept in, showering his face with snowflakes.
Eliana quickly asked, “Are you okay?”
Wiping his face, Daniel brushed it off casually. “No big deal. Back in my army training days, I got plenty of snow in my face.”
Eliana giggled softly. Seeing him act so childishly, she suddenly didn’t feel as intimidated by him.
Daniel then motioned for her to join him. “Come sit with me for a bit, kid.”
“Sure.”
Once seated, Daniel said, “I’ve been hearing Samuel talk about you lately, so I’ve been meaning to meet you.”
Eliana doubted she was that special. She was sure Daniel was there more to check on Theodore than to see her.
“You doubt it?” Daniel’s sharp eyes seemed to read her mind. He suddenly pulled out an object and ordered, “Open it.”
Eliana saw a square box. She took it and carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay a stunning emerald necklace–its design was intricate, its hue crystal–clear and one–of–a–kind.
“This family heirloom,” Daniel said, “is only for the woman I recognize as mistress of this house.”
Eliana’s hand jerked. “Shouldn’t this be with Lainey?”
“She’s unworthy,” Daniel said firmly, locking eyes with her. “In my heart, only Theodore’s mother was my daughter–in–law. And my granddaughter–in- law? It’s you—not Alice, not anyone else.”
Before coming to Russell Manor, he’d viewed Eliana merely as Theodore’s good luck charm. But after seeing firsthand how Theodore acted around her, Daniel had decided to accept her as family.
Eliana’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t used to receiving affirmation, so Daniel’s words felt incredibly meaningful. But the memory of yesterday’s drama made her quickly push the gemstone back. “But he doesn’t care for me.”
29/2
Chapter 87
Daniel smiled kindly, “Do you care for him?”
“…”
Noticing her struggle to answer, Daniel prompted gently. “Let me rephrase has being with him made you happy?”
Eliana hesitated. Before discovering Alice was his first love, their time together had genuinely grown happier. But those fleeting moments of joy couldn’t withstand the harsh reality.
Still, under Daniel’s authoritative gaze, she gave a hesitant but honest nod.
Daniel’s expression softened. “Then take it. If one day things change, you can always return it to me.”
Outside the door, Theodore stood with arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe.
Just then, two maids walked by.
One said, “Is Mr. Theodore Russell eavesdropping?”
The other said, “Shh! Hurry, let’s go!”
Theodore thought, ‘Tsk. Eavesdropping? I’m just killing time with nowhere else to be.‘
AD
