When She Walks Away (Teresa) novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Outside the hospital, the evening rush hour was still in full swing, with cars streaming by in a never–ending flow.

Teresa and Charles stood on the street as people hurried past, their voices mixing into a constant background hum.

The streetlights were dim, casting a layer of orange light over their faces.

Teresa gazed at Charles, waiting for his answer.

She figured he’d probably turn her down.

After she left that day, Wendy told her an even harsher truth.

The guy who teamed up with Jason to get Yvonne drunk that night was actually Naomi’s real brother.

Regardless of who was right or wrong about what happened that day, as far as Naomi’s brother was concerned, Teresa had totally messed up his plans.

Ethan was Naomi’s elder brother, and Charles loved Naomi so deeply. Given these relationships, she felt that there was no way Charles would ever help her.

But Teresa couldn’t stand seeing Yvonne having to swallow her pride just to get the deal done, or Theodore working himself to the bone just to keep up at work.

That’s why she finally decided to reach out to Charles.

Charles paused, thinking it over for a moment, then finally said, “Alright.”

Teresa blinked in surprise at his reply. She honestly hadn’t expected him to say yes.

But seeing him agree, she couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

Charles didn’t hesitate. “Theodore’s finance firm is doing pretty well. Why wouldn’t I consider it? It’s a win–win for both sides.”

Teresa frowned slightly. “But Naomi’s brother has been trying to secure a partnership too.”

Given how much Charles cared about Naomi, Teresa figured he’d probably use the deal to curry favor with Naomi’s brother.

But to her surprise, he’d actually agreed to channel the business through Theodore’s platform.

Charles caught on to what Teresa was hinting at. He flashed a smile and said, “I get what you mean. I’ve checked out Naomi’s brother’s finance company. It’s just getting started.

“Even if you hadn’t brought it up, I still wouldn’t pick Theodore platform. And if Naomi finds out I didn’t give her brother the deal, she won’t blame me. She trusts me, knows me, and honestly, she always puts me first.”

He paused, then continued, “Once his company’s more solid, I’ll bring him in on other deals.”

Teresa listened to Charles’s take on Naomi, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

In the end, she quietly replied, “Alright.”

With that, she slipped into her car and pulled away.

Teresa arrived at the Sullivan Mansion right at 8:30 PM.

Dinner at the Sullivan Mansion ran late these days.

Either Yvonne got home late, or Theodore did.

When Teresa got back, the family had just sat down at the dining table.

1/3

10:35 AM MP

Chapter 156

Seeing Teresa arrive, Howard quickly told Betty to set another place at the table.

The air at dinner was thick with tension. There wasn’t a hint of a smile on Theodore’s face, and Yvonne just looked glum.

Teresa could tell without even asking. They were both stressed about work.

Once dinner started, nobody really bothered to make conversation.

Right in the middle of dinner, Theodore’s phone, left on the table, suddenly started ringing.

Even with the whole family there, everyone instantly went quiet as soon as the ringtone sounded.

So whatever the caller said to Theodore, everyone could hear every word, loud and clear.

Liam’s voice came through the phone.

“Mr. Sullivan, this is Liam Collins, Mr. Logan’s assistant from Logan Group. Mr. Logan just asked me to reach out to you. He wants to discuss a potential partnership,” Liam was all respect, every word dripping with courtesy.

Teresa glanced at Theodore, waiting for his

response.

And on the other end, Liam was doing the same, waiting for Theodore to say something.

After a brief silence, Theodore finally spoke up, “Hello, Mr. Collins. Please let Mr. Logan know that we’re grateful for his kindness, but the Sullivan Family would rather not be indebted to him. We’ll have to pass on the partnership.”

As soon as Theodore turned him down, Teresa froze up completely.

Everyone was desperate to get a foot in the door with Logan Group, but when they actually reached out to Theodore, he just slammed the door shut.

Liam sounded like he wanted to say more, but Theodore cut him off and hung up.

Teresa was just about to speak up, but Theodore glanced at her and jumped in first. “I’ve already found a new partner. It’s not a big company, but at least it’ll help us stay afloat.”

Theodore paused, then continued, “You and Charles are about to get divorced. Sure, my company’s in trouble, but that doesn’t mean I want you to put yourself through all that just to make a deal with him. And I know he’s only offering because of you, not because my company’s anything special.”

Teresa just kept her head down, not saying a word.

Theodore didn’t say anything else. He just smiled and said, “Let’s just eat. In a couple of days, all this will be behind us.”

Teresa looked up at Theodore, still uneasy. “So, which company did you end up partnering with?”

Theodore took a bite before replying, “It’s an aerospace company, nothing too big, but at least Sullivan Finance is safe for now.”

Teresa kept watching him. “So you’ve been busy negotiating deals these past couple of days?”

Theodore nodded. “Yeah

Yvonne hadn’t said a word all this time, but when she heard Theodore, her eyes suddenly turned red and tears started streaming down her face.

Yvonne shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just think marrying you is the one thing I’ll never regret in my life.”

Theodore pulled her into a hug, gently soothing her. “Having you as my wife is the thing I’m most proud of in my whole life.”

With the Sullivan Family’s crisis finally behind them, Teresa could finally breathe easy.

10.35 AM MP

Meanwhile, at Peyton’s place, it was one of those rare nights when the whole crew managed to get together.

Leo was by the floor–to–ceiling windows, talking on the phone, while Troy sprawled out on the couch and Peyton sat upright, all proper. From where they sat, the two of them could see Leo’s reflection in the glass.

Soon, Leo finished his call and turned around, heading back over.

Troy sat up straight, lifting his head to ask, “So, how’d it go?” He seemed very anxious.

Leo frowned, but just said it straight, “Yeah, it’s all sorted.”

Troy let out a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Troy slumped back against the couch, exhaling heavily.

Troy was even more anxious than Theodore about not being able to secure a deal.

If the Sullivan Family was in trouble, that meant Teresa was in trouble too.

Seeing how anxious Troy was, Leo couldn’t help but ask, “Why not just help them out yourself? You’re helping from the shadows, but the Sullivan Family has no clue, and Teresa doesn’t either. What’s the point of all this?”

Troy closed his eyes and shot back in a flat tone, “If I showed up myself, do you really think Theodore would go for the deal?”

Leo didn’t answer. He just looked at Troy and said, dead serious, “You’ve really caught feelings for her.”

‘Feelings?‘ Troy thought, instantly annoyed by the word. He snorted at Leo, “Get lost.”

Leo just shrugged, unfazed. “Unrequited love, huh?”

The moment Troy opened his eyes, his icy stare landed on Leo. “No one’s stopping you from keeping quiet.”

Leo just kept going. “If you can’t have her, why not do something really twisted? Just knock her up first.”

Troy didn’t respond. He just shot Leo a glare that could kill.

After Leo finished joking around, Peyton finally turned to Troy with a serious tone. “Are you coming to Zane’s field trip next week?”

Troy picked up his wine glass, the deep red liquid sliding down his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. Then he set the glass back down on the table.

He shot Peyton a cold look. “Is that even a question?”

With that, he got up and walked out.

Leo and Peyton exchanged a glance.

Leo said, “When this guy falls for someone, we’re the ones who end up suffering.”

Peyt

out it.