Chapter 39
First, she went to find Mason.
Annabel knocked twice, and the door swung open to reveal Mason, hair messy, eyes bloodshot. Seeing it was her, he pulled her into a tight hug his voice thick with emotion. “Annabel, thank God you’re okay,” he choked out. “I’m never letting you go off on your own again!”
Annabel felt crushed, “I’d rather not
thanks.”
Mason loosened his grip slightly but didn’t let go, his voice hoarse. “If you down looking for you.”
won’t shown up soon, I was about to call in everyone, turn Frostville upside
Annabel sighed. “If you did that, I wouldn’t be able to lie low in Frostville anymore.”
After a moment of silence, seeing Mason wasn’t letting go, she changed the subject. “By
the way, I don’t have my phone. You know where it is, right?”
Mason nodded. “Yeah. I saw your location hadn’t moved for a long time. Worried something happened, I went looking, but all I found was your phone. He paused, a dark look flashing in his eyes as he recalled something. “The Jareds have ties to the White family. I wanted to wait until you were back, ask you before deciding whether to let them… “A wave of cold fury emanated from him. “… or make them disappear completely!”
Annabel pushed against his chest. “Let me go first 9
then we can talk.”
Mason finally released her, looking a bit awkward. He cleared his throat. “As for the others who attacked you… somehow, they vanished overnight. Not a single trace.”
Annabel frowned. “Even you couldn’t find anything?”
Mason hated to admit it but had to nod. “Yeah.”
Annabel pondered this. ‘They helped me but left no clues,’ she thought. ‘Definitely trying to be anonymous heroes.‘ The last person Mason couldn’t track
was Jonathan Turner…
“Mason, laptop,” Annabel requested.
Mason immediately understood, handing her the laptop along with her phone.
But the result was the same. Nothing.
Mason frowned. “Well, at least we know the Turners were involved again. And Jonathan is a Turner… ” Before Annabel could respond, he shook his head, smiling faintly. “No, that’s impossible. How could he be one of those Turners?”
Annabel didn’t comment.
Mason patted Annabel’s head. “As long as the Turners don’t mean you harm, it’s fine. Have you eaten? I’ll make you breakfast.”
“Okay,” Annabel agreed.
Less than half an hour later, Mason came out with two plates of fragrant omelets.
“Something new I learned. Tell me what you think,
Annabel took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Abit too much onion. Cut it by a third next time.”
Mason, who had been watching her lips, quickly looked down, suppressing the deep affection in his eyes. “Okay,” he replied.
Thai–style, just like she’d mentioned wanting to try before.
He never made a big deal of it, but he always remembered every word she said.
1/4
Chapter 39
After breakfast, Annabel got ready to leave. Mason stopped her. “Let me handle Sutton Jared, Don’t get your hands dirty.
Annabel didn’t refuse. “The Jareds are trying to secure a large bank loan right now.”
Mason nodded. “I’ll make some calls. But just that? It feels too easy for that scumbag
Annabel looked away, her eyes glinting coldly. “Patience.” “Death is too easy an escape, she thought. “Besides, Beatrice’s birthday is coming up. I’m planning a big surprise for her.”
Annabel hadn’t been home all night. Victor barely glanced at her as if he’d given up on her, continuing his conversation. “Beatrice, darling, for your birthday party, do you want it at a hotel, or should we have it here?”
Beatrice’s voice was soft and sweet. “Oh, let’s not make a fuss. At home is fine.”
Victor nodded approvingly. “At home it is! It coincides nicel understanding wife to our partners.”
with the White Group’s 50th anniversary. A perfect chance to introduce my wonderfully
Beatrice gave Victor’s chest a playful tap. “Victor, darling, I just wanted a quiet family dinner.”
“Nonsense! It’s your birthday, I won’t have you settling!” Victor hugged her tightly.
Lillian chimed in, “Dad, can I invite my friends?”
“Of course. Just get the invitations from the butler when they’re ready.” Victor replied.
The three of them chatted enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to Annabel standing nearby. Seeing the conversation was just pointless small talk, she turned to leave, her expression impassive.
“Annabel,” Lillian suddenly called out, “are you inviting your friends to Mom’s birthday party?”
Victor frowned. “Annabel, about those friends of yours…”
Annabel cut him off. “Don’t worry. My ‘unpresentable‘ friends won’t be coming.”
Victor swallowed the rest of his sentence.
But Lillian deliberately pushed. “Oh, Annabel, the more the merrier for a birthday party! Don’t worry about things like that. Besides, talking about your friends that way doesn’t sound very nice…”
Annabel’s brow furrowed. “Lillian, you seem overly concerned. How I get along with my friends is none of your business, is it?”
Victor roared, clearly displeased, “Annabel! Your sister means well, and this is how you treat her?”
Annabel forced a smile. “This is me being nice. Dad, you’re so busy, surely you don’t have time to argue with me right now?”
“You… you…!” Victor sputtered, livid. Just looking at Annabel’s face made his blood boil.
Beatrice quickly stepped in to soothe him. “Victor, darling, Annabel’s still young. Don’t let her get to you.”
“Young? Young? She’s older than Lillian! And not half as considerate!”
Annabel coolly dropped, “Carry on, then.”
With that, she headed upstairs. On her way to her room, her grandfather stopped her. “Annabel.”
Annabel paused. “Grandpa? What is it?”
Walter glanced down the staircase. Lillian, who had just started up, quickly ducked out of sight, unnoticed,
Seeing no one, he said thoughtfully, “I’m planning to announce you as the heir to the White family at the White Group’s anniversary celebration
He paused, then added, “Before that, though, you’ll need to intern at the company for a while.”
Annabel’s fingers twitched involuntarily. She quickly clenched her fist to hide it, remaining silent.
Lillian, hidden nearby, reacted much more strongly, her eyes burning with intense jealousy and resentment.
‘Why her?‘ she thought bitterly. ‘Why should that useless Annabel inherit everything? What was the point of all her effort sucking up to that old foot?
Annabel finally replied, “Grandpa, who inherits the family doesn’t matter. The most important thing is for you to take care of yourself, stay healthy, live a long life…
”
As she spoke, she took Walter’s arm, gently guiding him towards the third floor.
Their voices faded. Lillian could barely make out the rest. Gritting her teeth, she risked following them.
Walter really didn’t want Annabel to suffer any more injustice. ‘Announcing her as the heir, getting her into the company–it would offer her some protection,‘ he thought.
“Annabel,” Walter said, his voice filled with concern, “you know how biased your father is. It pains me to see it.”
‘She should be living a life of comfort, not dealing with all this hardship… ‘ he mused sadly.
Annabel, unaware of her grandfather’s thoughts, put on a slightly playful tone. “Isn’t it enough that you spoil me, Grandpa? We haven’t played chess in ages. Let me play a few games with you!”
Walter sighed. “You rascal. Alright, keep your old grandpa company for a few games. Just don’t cry when you lose.”
The two entered the study, arm in arm.
Lillian couldn’t follow them in. She stood outside the door, seething, for a long time before finally leaving.
She then ordered one of the servants loyal to her to keep an eye on Annabel and Walter all afternoon.
That evening, Lillian heard from the servant that the grandfather and granddaughter had just played chess the whole time, saying and doing nothing else of note. Somehow, this made her even more uneasy.
“Mom…” Lillian found Beatrice and threw herself into her arms, bursting into tears before choking out, “Grand – Grandpa’s going to give the inheritance… the whole White family… to Annabel!”
“What?” Beatrice nearly pushed Lillian away. “Where did you hear that?”
Lillian sobbed, “I heard it myself! He’s going to announce it at the White Group anniversary party!”
‘Isn’t that my birthday party?‘ Beatrice realized with horror. That old fool planned to humiliate her publicly!
Afraid it wasn’t enough, Lillian added more fuel to the fire. “A–and I heard Annabel saying… saying she’s going to kick us out of the family later…”
Beatrice was silent for a long moment, then said through gritted teeth, “Lillian, stop crying for now. Mom needs to go talk this over with your father.”
With that, she hurried off.
3/4
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.