Chapter 495
Chapter 495
“How can you stop it?”
Karina, however, wasn’t ready to drop the subject. She was completely indifferent to the increasingly
sour expression on Faith’s face.
“Enough!” Faith finally snapped, her brows furrowed. “Let’s put an end to this. We’ll handle whatever
happens as it comes. What’s the point of all this talk?”
I remained silent. Even if Faith liked me, she wouldn’t side with me unconditionally on such a crucial
issue.
My relationship with Russel was already a blatant insult to Neil. Yet, the Whitmore family didn’t care
about the talk of the town and continued to treat me as always.
Karina smiled at me. “Fine, we won’t talk about it. I believe that you are a responsible person, Ms.
Finch. If there’s any conflict because of you, I’m sure you’ll find a way to resolve it.”
I didn’t answer, only gave her a cool glance before continuing on my way.
On the way back, it was clear Faith was in a terrible mood. Her face was visibly gloomy, but she tried to
reassure me, “Irene, I’m not blaming you. Just thinking about all this drama is exhausting.”
“I understand, Faith.” I managed a small smile. Even if Faith blamed me, she had every right to.
The prerequisite, of course, was that the Whitmore Co. issue was indeed Russel’s doing.
After returning to the hotel, I immediately dialed Russel’s number. It rang for a long while with no
answer.
A sense of unease crept over me, making me restless. If Russel had simply had a falling out with Neil, I
could console myself. But if it involved finance and business, I couldn’t sit idly by.
Whitmore Co. and the Dawson Group were both prominent family enterprises and once business
partners. If they turned against each other, the implications would be massive.
I sent a message to Russel: [Russel, where are you?]
About three minutes later, he called back.
“Where are you?” As soon as I answered, I asked directly.
“What’s going on?” Russel countered. There was noise on his end, but it definitely wasn’t hospital
noise.
A surge of frustration welled up in me. “Are you still hiding from me? Did you quit your job? Are you
back in Rosemont?”
Russel was silent for a few seconds, then responded with unnatural calmness, “Yes, I’m in Rosemont
now. How did you know?”
“Karina told me.” My heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. I wanted to confront Russel directly about
whether he was behind the Whitmore Co. issue, but the words were stuck in my throat.
In the ensuing silence, Russel broached the subject himself. “You know about the problem with
Whitmore Co., don’t you?”
“Yes, just tell me honestly, did you do it?” I didn’t want to beat around the bush.
Russel chuckled lightly. “Why would you suspect me? I just got back a few days ago and haven’t had a
chance to tell you.”
“Stop laughing and answer my question seriously.” My words came out in a rush, “Neil has already
gone back. If the problem wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have rushed back. What did you do to Whitmore
Co.?”
Russel’s voice suddenly chilled. “So, are you worried about him or me?”
At this point, he was still stuck on this. I was at a loss for words and felt defeated. “I’m worried about
both of you. If you think I’m still in love with him, that I haven’t let go, and that’s why you’re doing this,
you really didn’t have to.”
“Irene, all I’ve ever wanted is simple – you. Even if you still have Neil in your heart, I’m willing to take
time to replace him. But you won’t give me that chance, will you?” Russel’s voice was as cold as a
stranger’s, devoid of warmth despite the emotional subject.
I was full of frustration and anger, but I couldn’t vent it out.
Initially, I was confronting Russel, but now I was tongue-tied because I hadn’t managed to keep my
distance from him. Perhaps my initial thought of using him to spite Neil was the wrong move.
“I’m sorry.” All my thoughts coalesced into these three words. I didn’t know what else to say.
“I don’t need an apology. Either marry me or stay out of my feud with Neil.” Russel gave me two
options.
Unfortunately, neither of these options was what I wanted.
I tried to soften my tone and pleaded with him, “Russel, wait. Can we talk this over?”
“I’ll wait for you in Rosemont.” With that, Russel hung up.
Since my divorce from Neil, he had never been this cold to me, let alone hang up on me without giving
me a chance to say more.
The sudden change left me reeling. But I quickly pulled myself together. It was up to me to stop this
madness before it escalated further, and I shouldn’t be hung up on these feelings, isn’t this what I
wanted?
In my room, I felt restless. Even though Russel didn’t give a clear answer, his words had said enough.
Just as I was stuck in my thoughts, the doorbell rang.
It was Faith.
Her visit at this moment put enormous pressure on me, but I let her in nonetheless.
“Did I disturb you, Irene?” Faith asked gently.
I shook my head, avoiding Faith’s gaze. I had no idea how to bring up Russel’s issue.
“I came to talk about something,” Faith glanced at Serena and Brandon, who were practicing sitting up
on the bed, and sighed. “I was planning to go back tomorrow, but I need to go to Rosemont now. Do
you mind going back to Eldoria with Karina?”
Of course, I minded. Moreover, I needed to go to Rosemont as well.
Before things got worse, I had to do my best to stop Russel’s reckless actions.
“Faith, it turns out I’m also heading to Rosemont. We might as well go together,” I replied.
“What are you going there for?” Faith seemed puzzled, then quickly misinterpreted my meaning, “Irene,
this mess isn’t on you. You don’t have to explain yourself to Neil. If he chose this path, he should’ve
known this could happen. Russel isn’t a pushover, either. It’s their business, you shouldn’t take the
blame.”
Faith’s words only made my guilt and remorse more intense. She was still comforting me, even after all
that had happened.
“Faith, I’m not going to see Neil; it’s Russel I need to find,” I didn’t hide anything from Faith and told her
straight up what I had in mind.
