Chapter 41

Chapter41| Believe That's Nlot Too Much To Ask

Marissa's thoughts flickered back to the lively exchange she had with Theodore in the car earlier that day.

Her sparkling eyes softened, a delicate smile spreading as her voice drifted out, light as a whisper."Really,Theodore?"

Theodore's enigmatic stare lingered, savouring the teasing tone of her words.

With a sudden, quiet chuckle, he answered,"Without a doubt."

Marissa shed her fleeting warmth,reverting to her cool, distant poise, her tone steady. "Then tell your girlfriend to stay away from me. I believe that's not too much to ask."

Theodore slid his unlocked phone toward her."Want to take a peek at my phone? See if I'm having intimate conversations with another woman?"

Though Marissa knew he wasn't a womanizer, his unguarded offer surprised her-handing over his phone so freely.

Her mind buzzed with questions, but her hand moved first, taking the device.

Seeing her accept it, Theodore quirked a brow but stayed quiet.

"Well played, Theodore!" Brent flashed a thumbs-up, his smile bright but his gaze chilly.

"All thanks to your advice," Theodore replied with polished courtesy.

Brent's expression soured, feeling his scheme had backfired, and he muttered as he turned to go,"You had best stay cautious!"

Marissa's slender fingers danced over the phone,and catching Brent's parting words, she glanced up with a faint smirk. As he left, she said coolly, "He is right to be cautious-I'm not someone he can fool."

Maxton, observing silently, sighed inwardly. The conversation ended unpleasantly. And he was left to clean up his grandfather's mess. "Theodore, Miss Curtis," Maxton said, nodding to both, his voice tinged with regret. "I'm sorry. My grandfather's getting old and stubborn. If he has caused offense,I apologize for him." Meanwhile, Wilbur, who had been helping Holley toward her X-ray, stepped back when she refused to comply. Theodore's gesture of offering his phone to Marissa had left Holley burning with jealousy and fury.

If looks could kill, Marissa would have been struck down a dozen times.

Why did Theodore's heart have no room for her?

Holley's eyes brimmed wth tears, her leg's pain rivaling her wounded pride.

As a doctor, Maxton couldn't let Holley's injury miss its critical treatment window. Glancing down the empty corridor where Brent had vanished, he said, "Holley, let's get that X-ray done."

Ignoring her protests, he lifted her and carried her out, his tone a mix of care and reprimand."Keep squirming, and I'll toss you in the hospital's waste bin. You don't seem to care about your leg at all."

"You jerk, Maxton!" Holley shot back.

With the drama settled and the others gone,Marissa handed the phone back to Theodore."Here."

"Put in your phone number," Theodore said,not takingit,gesturing for her to input her contact.

Marissa hadn't expected her first saved contact in her new home to be her future husband's.

She quickly entered her number and returned the phone.

Theodore glanced at the screen, noting the absence of a name, then looked up, studying her refined features before typing a single word,saving it, and dialing.

"This is my personal line. You can call me anytime,"he said, his deep voice smooth and warm.

"Alright," Marissa replied, saving his number. She caught a fleeting glimpse of his screen, but he hung up before she could read it.

In another room, Corrine was still engrossed in her meeting,unaware that Rayden had woken up.

"The second draft is more refined than the first, but the colors are off. Send it back for tweaks-this matte black looks terrible under light. Adjust it and get a new sample," she instructed.

After Theodore's arrival, Greta had quickly updated Corrine on the situation outside.

Assured that Marissa was accompanied, Corrine immersed herself in her tasks, unaware of Holley's taunts toward her daughter.

Later, with the room buzzing with people and conversations intertwining, Greta couldn't provide a timely update.

Meanwhile, at the Fletchers' house, Evelina, thriled by a text from Bryson, hurried to Phil and Susanna's room. "Mom, Dad! Bryson has invited me to a high-society gala tonight-what should wear?"