Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Michelle’s father instinctively dropped the whip and took a step back, recognizing the man who just walked in.
Henry scanned the room, then his eyes locked on Anna—her face red, her body trembling, and tears hanging at the edge of her lashes.
Without a word, he crossed the room.
The people holding Anna’s arms quickly let go and stepped aside.
Henry reached down and gently lifted her from the ground, steadying her.
Anna stared at him, stunned, unsure what was happening.
Her grandfather finally found his voice and stood.
“Mr. Duke,” he said, forcing a polite smile, “to what do we owe this unexpected visit?”
Henry didn’t answer him. He didn’t even look at him. His gaze remained fixed on Anna as he said clearly for everyone to hear:
“If any one of you had laid a single lash on her… I would have torn this entire family apart. And don’t for a second think I’m bluffing.”
A stunned silence fell over the room.
Michelle’s mother stepped forward quickly, her voice sugary sweet and nervous. “Wait—Mr. Duke—surely there’s been a mistake. My daughter is about to marry your nephew....”
Henry turned his head slowly, and the sharp edge of his glare shut her up mid-sentence.
“Anna,” he said instead, turning toward the girl beside him. “Saved my life last night. And because of her, I’m still breathing. She missed her engagement to protect me. And for that…” he paused “…she’s important to me. Very important. Which means if any of you touches her again, I won’t hesitate to end your names, your business, your legacy. All of it.”
Gasps filled the room.
Anna’s grandfather’s face changed immediately. “She saved your life?” he asked, astonished.
Henry nodded once.
He turned to face Anna fully now. Her eyes were wide, still filled with disbelief and confusion.
“I’ve been thinking all night about how to repay you,” he said softly, so only she could hear. “And I’ve come to a decision.”
Then louder, to the entire room: “Anna… would you like to become Mrs. Duke?”
The room exploded into stunned whispers.
Anna’s lips parted, speechless.
Michelle’s jaw dropped.
Her grandfather stepped forward instantly. “Yes! Yes, of course she would! Anna, what are you waiting for? This is a golden opportunity!”
“Would you like anything else?” Henry added smoothly. “Name it, and I’ll give it to you.”
Anna looked around, not surprised by the sudden shift in tone from people who just moments ago wanted to whip her.
Then she nodded slowly.
“I… I would really like that.”
Henry smiled. “Good. Then it’s settled.”
He turned to her grandfather. “I’ll be taking her with me.”
“Of course, of course!” the man stammered, waving him on. “You’re most welcome to!”
As Henry led Anna toward the door, her family stood still, trying to process the earthquake that had just leveled their authority.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me Anna saved Henry’s life?” her grandfather barked. “You fools nearly whipped his fiancée! I always knew Anna was special. No wonder she has always been my favorite.”
Michelle’s mother swallowed. “We… we didn’t know…”
Outside the house…
Henry’s phone rang.
He sighed and handed Anna’s hand a light squeeze. “Go ahead. I’ll catch up. Just need to take this call.”
Anna nodded and began walking toward the gate.
But before she could take five steps, Michelle and Sam appeared, stepping in front of her.
Michelle folded her arms, her smile tight. “Don’t think this is over, Anna. You might have fooled everyone today, but your life is going to get worse from here. You’re just a charity case with a lucky moment.”
Anna met her glare calmly.
“Shut up, Michelle,” she said.
Michelle’s eyes widened. “How dare you talk to me like that?!”
She raised her hand to slap her—but Anna caught it mid-air and slapped her first, hard, sending her stumbling backward.
“Touch me again,” Anna said, “and I won’t stop at one.”
Sam’s face twisted in anger. “You bitch.....” He lunged forward, raising his hand, but Anna met his eyes with fire.
“You should think before you act, Sam.”
His hand paused mid-air.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means,” she said coolly, “you should start calling me Aunt from now on.”
He blinked. “Aunt?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes. Or would you prefer I ask my fiancé to crush you like the bug you are?”
He scoffed. “What fiancé?”
“Me,” came a voice from behind him.
Henry’s hand slid around Anna’s waist as he stepped beside her. His eyes locked onto Sam’s.
“What’s going on here?” he asked coolly.
Sam turned in disbelief. “Uncle… you can’t possibly be serious. This girl..... she’s beneath you!”
SLAP!
Henry’s hand moved fast and hard, the impact echoing through the garden.
Sam clutched his cheek, stunned.
“Watch your mouth,” Henry growled. “Show some respect to my wife-to-be.”
Michelle looked like she was about to faint. Sam just stood there, unable to speak.
Anna turned to Henry, her heart pounding in her chest.
As he led her out of the gate, she let out a long breath. “Wow… that was… satisfying.”
Henry smirked. “You held your own in there.”
“Thank you for standing up for me,” she said. “I know you only said all that to protect me. It’s okay. I’ll figure things out from here.”
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist gently and pulled her back.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” he asked.
She looked up at him, confused.
“You agreed to marry me, didn’t you?” He asked.
She nodded slowly. “I did.”
He grinned. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go get married.”