Chapter 189 The Rise Before the Ruin
Anna had never imagined that Michael would know every detail of her plan to have Vaughn killed.
"You… what did you just say?" Her pupils contracted sharply. She lifted her head instinctively, her footing faltering for a split second before she forced herself to stand steady.
Michael's expression remained as cold and controlled as ever. His gaze swept down at her from above, carrying the weight and detachment of someone firmly in control.
"Efrain doesn't know it yet," Michael said evenly. "He hired men to kidnap my grandmother, but I rescued her long before he thought he had her. And those men he sent? They're in my custody now."
He took a step closer, his voice low but cutting. "One of them showed me his chat logs with you… and the transfer records. One million dollars, paid to push Vaughn off a cruise ship at the right moment."
"You were willing to have your own grandfather thrown into the ocean. That's not something an ordinary person could do. I'll admit, in terms of ruthlessness, you could survive well in the business world."
"I…" Anna's breath hitched. She drew in a deep lungful of air, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "No, it's not like that, Michael. Let me explain."
Her eyes glistened, thoughts racing. Michael had said he had rescued his grandmother already, and that the killers were in his hands. That meant Efrain's entire plan had been exposed and crushed.
The realization made her jaw tighten until she nearly ground her teeth. Efrain was useless. She had believed he had handled everything, that all she needed to do was wait for Michael to announce their engagement at the press conference. Now she saw the truth — Michael had never been under his thumb. He was here to watch Efrain fail.
Fine. If you want something done right, you do it yourself.
Yes, Michael had saved his grandmother, but her illness remained. And if he wanted her to live longer, he still needed the medication Anna possessed. Luckily, she had kept that card close to her chest — she had told Efrain she would only hand over the medicine after Michael publicly announced the engagement.
Now Efrain was worthless, Vaughn was dead, and she had no reason to deal with him anymore.
Anna made her decision and spoke through clenched teeth. "Michael, since you already know, I won't hide it. Yes, I paid the million. I arranged my grandfather's trip and put the killer on that ship, told him to wait for the moment to push Vaughn into the sea."
"He made it look clean. No witnesses, no suspicion. The scene looked like nothing more than a tragic accident."
"But… I didn't do it purely out of my own will. Efrain kept coming to me, pushing me, provoking me."
"He said my grandfather favored men over women, that he would hand the entire Williams Group to Quentin, and that I was nothing but a pawn to be discarded."
"I acted in a moment of weakness… Michael, you have to believe me. When I saw it happen, I regretted it."
Her voice trembled, tears sliding down her cheeks, painting her as the perfect victim of Efrain's manipulation.
Inside the car, Amelia rolled her eyes. She hadn't expected Anna's composure to be this strong — the moment her plan collapsed and her leverage vanished, she shoved all the blame onto Efrain.
With Efrain out of the picture, Anna would use the medicine to get close to Michael. She already controlled the Williams Group; if she became the mistress of the Johnson family, her future would be secured for life.
Amelia almost wanted to drag Efrain back into the room, just to watch the two of them tear each other apart. It would be a spectacular show.
Michael's eyes on Anna were filled with undisguised contempt. If Amelia hadn't asked him to draw her out, he wouldn't waste another word.
"Michael, listen to me," Anna pressed on when he didn't immediately respond. "Efrain told me that if I gave him the medicine for your grandmother, he would help me find someone to eliminate my grandfather. That way, the Williams Group would be mine."
"He promised that if I followed his instructions, I would marry you."
"You know, Michael… ever since I came back from studying abroad last year and met you at that gala, I've liked you. Efrain wanted me to spy on you after marriage. I agreed out loud, but I never intended to do it. I only wanted to be with you."
"I even thought, if I saw your grandmother at his place, I'd find a way to help you rescue her."
"Now that I know you saved her before Efrain could touch her, I'm genuinely happy."
"And since that's the case, you have no reason to give half the Johnson Group's shares and your position as chairman to Efrain. I won't give him the medicine either."
"If you marry me, I'll personally fly abroad every month to get the medicine for your grandmother and hire the best doctors to treat her. What do you think?"
Michael's eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean you're using the medicine as leverage?"
"How can you call it a transaction?" Anna bit her lip. "Michael, I truly care for you. But I know you don't feel the same yet. Until you do, I need some assurance."
"I know you're interested in that illegitimate daughter from the Martinez family. But she's still underage, her background is scandalous, and she'll be whispered about wherever she goes."
"Me? After my grandfather's death, I'm the real power behind the Williams Group. A marriage between our families would strengthen both companies."
"In looks and figure, I surpass Amelia. In family background and social standing, she can't compare. In business, her competence is barely a tenth of mine."
"Michael, what you feel for her is just novelty. Think it through — I'm the one who truly fits you."
In the back seat, Eric almost burst out in disgust. How could anyone be this vain and vicious? Claiming she was superior to Amelia in every way? Where did she get that kind of arrogance? Amelia could crush her without even trying.
Eric kept his face neutral, but his mind was full of silent curses.
Michael's expression stayed calm, his gaze fixed on Anna for several long seconds before he spoke. "If I agree to marry you, can you guarantee you'll cure my grandmother's illness?"
Anna's eyes lit up instantly. "Of course. I'll treat her like my own grandmother."
The words sent a chill down Michael's spine.
He exhaled slowly. "Fine. We'll do it your way."
Anna's joy was immediate. She hadn't expected him to agree so easily. This way, she would become the sole mistress of the Johnson Group, and Vaughn's death would remain buried forever.
With the Johnson Group's support, the Williams Group would only grow stronger. She would become the most influential businesswoman in Celestria. Sophie, who had once mocked her in public, would be nothing.
Perfect.
Just then, a Williams Group employee approached. "Ms. Williams, the press conference is about to start. All the media representatives have arrived. Shall we…?"
"I know. I'll be right there." Anna turned to Michael, her voice soft and deliberate. "Shall we go together?"
Michael gave her a cool glance. "You go ahead. I'll appear when it's my turn."