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.

Russel: [Russel, where are you?]

later, he

As soon as I answered,

on?” Russel countered. There was noise on his end, but it definitely wasn’t

you still hiding from me? Did you

1/3

09:43

Are you back in

with unnatural calmness, “Yes, I’m in Rosemont

I wanted to confront Russel directly about whether he was behind the Whitmore Co. issue, but the words

subject himself. “You

just tell me honestly, did you do it?” I didn’t

me? I just got back a few days

gone back.

are you worried about him or me?”

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

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

of frustration and anger, but I couldn’t vent it

because I hadn’t managed to keep my distance

All my thoughts coalesced into these three words. I didn’t know what else to say.

an apology. Either marry me or stay out of my feud with Neil.” Russel gave

options was what I wanted.

and pleaded with him, “Russel, wait. Can we talk this

in Rosemont.” With that, Russel hung

he had never been this cold to me, let alone hang up on me without giving me