Chapter 46 Learning His Identity
Lucius had people track down Philip's whereabouts and finally learned he was dining at The Chef's Loft, so he immediately rushed over.
At that moment, in a private dining room at The Chef's Loft—
Seven or eight people sat around a large round table.
Frederick occupied the seat of honor, with Philip beside him, toasting with others while clearly unwilling to be there.
Philip had been dragged to this business dinner by Frederick.
Frederick claimed that since his current identity was "assistant," he had to drive and therefore couldn't drink—otherwise he couldn't explain it to his wife when he got home.
What a ridiculous excuse!
Philip ground his teeth—he was clearly the older cousin, so by rights his bloodline status should trump the other's. How had it gotten reversed?
At the door, Lucius quietly arrived.
He gently pushed the door open a crack and indeed saw Philip and Frederick sitting together.
He smiled coldly, pulling out his phone to record a video, planning to use it to negotiate with Philip later.
If Philip continued making things difficult for him, he'd post the video online. Then they'd see who suffered more!
Inside the private room, the table had been drinking and the atmosphere was jovial.
Someone stood up with a wine glass, smiling as he asked Frederick, "Mr. Russell, really not even a drop today?"
Frederick took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, "I have a fierce wife at home. She keeps me on a tight leash."
At these words, everyone at the table except Philip froze in shock.
"No way! When did Mr. Russell get married? How come there wasn't a whisper about it?"
"Yeah, which family's daughter did you marry? When's the wedding?"
Frederick just smiled without answering.
Philip remarked teasingly from the side, "Don't rush them. The couple is playing cosplay right now. When they've had enough fun, they'll naturally let you know."
The people present weren't exactly young, and hearing the word "cosplay," most were completely confused.
"Mr. Russell Jr., what do you mean?"
Philip explained lazily, "It means my Fred is hiding his identity and playing house with his newlywed wife! So if you see him being particularly intimate with a beautiful woman in public, remember—don't rashly interrupt, and definitely don't expose him. Ruin his fun and he'll definitely come after you."
Everyone suddenly understood.
"So that's it? Mr. Russell really has refined tastes! Let me toast you."
Frederick clinked glasses with tea instead of wine, his manner composed and elegant.
At the door, Lucius, who was recording video, felt increasingly that something was off.
Why were they all so respectful toward that man? As if he were the most distinguished person at the table.
A thought flashed through his mind—Lucius stared fixedly at Frederick, his expression changing instantly.
What had Philip just called him? Fred?
He remembered that the current head of the Russell Group was named Frederick Russell.
Could this man be...
"Excuse me, sir, who are you looking for?"
A server about to bring in dishes noticed Lucius lurking suspiciously at the door and called out to him.
Lucius jumped in fright. The door was suddenly pushed open and his phone fell to the floor.
Everyone at the table turned to look at him.
Lucius's gaze flickered as he hurriedly picked up his phone, forcing out an awkward smile.
"Who is this? What are you doing skulking around the door?" someone scolded.
Philip recognized Lucius immediately and glanced at Frederick, his lips curving into an amused smile.
Frederick took a sip of tea and glanced at Lucius expressionlessly without speaking.
Philip spoke up. "Isn't this Lucius? Need something?"
Lucius swallowed. "Mr. Russell, sorry to interrupt everyone's meal. I came looking for you about something."
"Go ahead, what is it?"
Lucius glanced at Frederick—he'd originally wanted to capture evidence of the two being romantic partners as leverage, but now...
He probed tentatively, "Mr. Russell, may I ask who this person beside you is..."
Philip's lips curved as he said deliberately, "Him? Haven't you met before? What, don't recognize him now?"
Lucius steeled himself. "Is he Mr. Frederick Russell?"
Philip chuckled lightly. "Yeah. Surprised? Shocked?"
Having his guess confirmed, even though he'd been mentally prepared, Lucius still found it incredible.
He never dreamed that the person Xandra had married would be the king of Seaside City!
How could this be?
Frederick before him had a noble bearing and extraordinary presence—clearly heaven's favored son. Why would he marry a woman who already had children?
"Lucius, do you have other business?"
Seeing Lucius standing there frozen with an ashen face, Philip asked.
Lucius snapped back to reality, gritted his teeth, and dropped to his knees.
"I was blind and offended Mr. Russell. I deserve to die! Please, both Mr. Russells, show mercy and give me a way to survive!"
A flash of mockery crossed Philip's eyes as he turned to look at Frederick, waiting for him to speak.
Frederick toyed with his teacup, lifting his eyes slightly, his thin lips parting. "You want to live?"
Lucius nodded frantically. "Yes!"
"I can give you a chance to reform."
Lucius's eyes brightened as he waited for what came next.
Frederick took a sip of tea, his tone casual. "Lucius, you know very well who you have to thank for your achievements today. If you still want to stay in Seaside City, repay your debt to the Cavendish family."
Lucius understood—this was about seeking justice for Xandra.
He didn't dare object. "Please instruct me, Mr. Russell. How should I repay the Cavendish family?"
Frederick said unhurriedly, "When Xandra came to you with nowhere else to turn, you were ungrateful and threw her out. That house of yours is worth over ten million dollars. Without her, could you have afforded it? Do you still not understand what you need to do?"
Lucius's heart sank—Frederick wanted him to unconditionally give the house to Xandra!
That was the first property he'd bought with years of savings, a symbol of his status and position.
"Mr. Russell, if I don't have the house, where will I live?"
Frederick glanced at him coldly. "What, you want me to arrange housing for you too?"
Philip laughed. "Fred, for this kind of ungrateful person, why not just kick him out of Seaside City and be done with it? You're giving him another chance? Since when did you become so merciful?"
Frederick raised an eyebrow slightly. "Am I being too merciful? Then how about—"
Lucius hurriedly interrupted, "I'll follow Mr. Russell's suggestion and transfer the property to Xandra right away."
Without the house, as long as he could make a comeback, he could buy another. But if Frederick and Philip kept targeting him, it wouldn't just be about losing a house!
Frederick's lips curved. "Remember, this is your conscience speaking. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
This was a warning not to talk nonsense in front of Xandra—he didn't want her to know his true identity yet.
Lucius quickly responded, "Yes, yes, I'll remember."
"Get lost," Philip said.
"Yes, I'm leaving now." Lucius hurriedly got up and left.
Everyone at the table had quietly watched the situation unfold.
Hearing Frederick mention the Cavendish family, quite a few people immediately recalled Xandra's father's fall from a building.
They were all in business circles, and though at different levels, while they hadn't dealt directly with Xandra's father, they'd heard of him.
"Does Mr. Russell know Matthew Cavendish from Cavendish Realty Group?" someone asked.