Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

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.

message to Russel:

minutes later, he

are you?” As soon as I answered,

going on?” Russel countered. There was noise on his end, but it definitely

surge of frustration welled up in me. “Are you still hiding from me? Did you quit

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back in Rosemont?”

for a few seconds, then responded with unnatural calmness,

Russel directly about whether he was behind the Whitmore Co. issue, but the words were

broached the subject himself. “You know about

you do it?” I didn’t

would you suspect me? I just got back a few days

“Neil has already gone back. If the problem wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have rushed back. What did you do to

suddenly chilled. “So, are you worried about

was at a loss for words and felt defeated. “I’m worried about both of you. If you think I’m still in

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

and anger, but I couldn’t vent

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.

my thoughts coalesced into these three words. I didn’t know

stay out of

neither of these options

tone and pleaded with him, “Russel, wait. Can we talk this over?”

in Rosemont.” With that, Russel

cold to me, let alone hang up on me without giving me