“Mr. Russell is inside, Ms. Burke,” the receptionist whispered before stepping back, as if afraid to disturb Theodore. Eliana knocked on the office door
herself.
A male voice came from inside immediately. “The door isn’t locked. Come in.”
When Eliana entered, she was first amazed by the luxurious and bright office. She had once thought Hannah’s office was nice enough, but compared to
Theodore’s, it was nothing. Then her eyes fell on Theodore.
In work mode, he looked more serious and unapproachable than usual, no wonder the receptionist had slipped away without daring to knock.
Just then, Stanley walked in with a cup of coffee and said, “Mr. Russell, the coffee-” The rest of his words died in his throat when he saw there was an extra person in the office.
“Give her the coffee,” Theodore said calmly.
Hearing this, Stanley was stunned. He remembered Theodore had mysophobia. When he used to entertain Alice, he would specially prepare a cup
exclusive to Alice.
“You must be Ms. Burke?” Stanley asked.
Eliana recognized he was the man who had answered her call earlier and gave him a gentle smile. “Yes. Thank you for passing on the message.”
Compared to Alice’s fresh smile, Eliana’s was bright and would make anyone who saw it feel better.
After Stanley put the coffee on Eliana’s table, Theodore immediately said, “Alright, you can go out.”
For some reason, Stanley felt Theodore’s gaze toward him was a bit cold.
When they were alone in the office, Theodore’s smile at Eliana vanished instantly, and he couldn’t help pinching the pen in his hand.
She could smile so sweetly at Stanley, but she was so formal with him.
He couldn’t help rising from his office chair and walking toward her. “Who messed with you?”
Eliana said lightly, “It’s something personal. Just don’t ask.”
Theodore frowned at her perfunctory response. “Don’t you know your hand is still injured? You can tell me if you want to hit someone.”
Eliana looked at him in confusion. He should be telling her to stay out of trouble.
Seeing her puzzled look, Theodore worried she was wronged but wouldn’t tell him,
Bernice had once told him on the phone that Eliana wouldn’t easily trouble others unless she was desperate.
Thinking of this, he gently pinched her chin and stared into her eyes. “Tell me who messed with you.”
Eliana felt nervous as soon as she met his gaze and shrank back.
When she did that, Theodore stepped forward like a wolf.
Just then, the office door was opened, followed by Stanley’s startled cry to stop the intruder.
Seeing his friend, who was famous for keeping away from women, pinning a young girl against the sofa in a wild pose, Felix Yates widened his eyes and said, “Oops, my bad. Please continue.”
Since their intimate moment had been interrupted, they couldn’t continue anymore. After releasing Eliana, Theodore took a deep breath before turning
Chapter 93
to look.
Under his displeased gaze, Stanley said despairingly, “Mr. Russell, Mr. Yates insisted on barging in. I told him you were busy!”
Seeing Felix staring at Eliana curiously, Theodore resisted the urge to hide her and turned to say, “Don’t be afraid. He’s my childhood friend.”
After Eliana nodded, she asked thoughtfully, “Should I step out for a bit?”
Theodore said firmly, “No. He’s the one who should leave.”
Felix’s mouth twitched. He found a sofa and sat down. “Mr. Russell, good for you. You have a new girlfriend, but you still care about Alice? Tsk.”
Eliana’s eyes dimmed slightly. Theodore frowned and snapped, “Can you shut up?”
Felix jerked his chin at Eliana. “Is she the one you mentioned in the group?”
Theodore nodded.
“How long have you been dating?” Felix asked.
Theodore said, “We’ve been married for over a month.”
“Oh, just over a month? Not long. Wait, married?” Felix jumped up from the sofa, his voice cracking. “You’re freaking married?”
Eliana added, “We didn’t make it public.”
“Sorry, I thought you were just his girlfriend. Turns out you’re his wife!” Felix said
Felix had been casual before, even using Alice to rile Theodore. But now that he knew Eliana’s true identity, he treated her like family, straightening up and handing her his business card for a formal introduction.
Eliana looked at the black–and–silver business card. Felix was the boss of Vellum Glow, a jewelry brand she knew but couldn’t afford.
That company was famous for only selling to high–status, sophisticated clients, even turning away ordinary rich people.
She hadn’t expected Felix, who looked about Theodore’s age, to run such a company. Maybe excellent people did befriend other excellent people.
Seeing Eliana studying Felix’s card, Theodore didn’t need to guess what she was thinking. He said coolly, “He just inherited his father’s business recently.”
He meant that Felix wasn’t that impressive, so Eliana didn’t need to stare at another man’s card for so long.
But Felix wasn’t offended. He said casually, “Yep, when it comes to business talent, I can’t hold a candle to you, Mr. Russell.”
Eliana listened to their veiled jabs, unsure why they were sniping at each other. To avoid offending Felix, she stayed silent.
Suddenly, Felix pulled out his phone. “Eliana, can I take a photo with you?”
“Um… Why?” Eliana asked.
Felix grinned. “Right now, any news about you in our group sells for two hundred thousand dollars a pop. I’ll post our photo and we’ll split the cash.
Deal?”
A remote control flew at him. Felix dodged and protested to Theodore, “What’s your problem? I’m just talking to Eliana!”
“Leave her alone,” Theodore said coldly.
Annoyed that Theodore had saved Alice after getting married, Felix decided to provoke him for Eliana’s sake.
14:43 Fri, 13 Jun G MW.
Chapter 93
He turned back to Eliana with a smile. “So, what do you do for work?”
“I work at a media company,” Eliana said.
Felix slapped his knee. “Perfect! Our company is launching a ladies‘ watch ad campaign. Does your company represent any hot young male stars?”
“You want a male celebrity to endorse a ladies‘ watch? Are you sure, Mr. Yates?” Eliana thought Felix’s idea was too bold.
Felix chuckled. “Most of our clients are middle–aged women, and they love handsome young guys.”
Eliana had to admit he had a point. “We do have someone fitting your requirement.”
Felix asked, “Oh? What’s his name?”
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“He is Raphael Finch. His recent movie was a huge hit, and he’s good–looking, almost perfect if he didn’t have a bad temper. He only takes on projects when he feels like it,” Eliana said.
Before Felix could dig deeper, Theodore interrupted in a freezing tone, “You can leave now.”
Felix glanced at Theodore’s tight–lipped expression and raised an eyebrow. Ignoring him, he said to Eliana, “We’ll chat later on the phone.” Then, he sauntered out.
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