Chapter 20 She Hired A Killer?
Karen begrudgingly dragged Sierra in front of Annabel and apologized alongside Charles.
“Annabel, please forgive me,” muttered Karen, “I was just too anxious earlier and said things I shouldn’t have.”
Annabel simply gave a cold nod without uttering a word.
This scene was like a slap in the face to the rest of the onlookers, especially Victor and
the others.
They had all insulted Annabel moments ago–now, the Shaws were apologizing so easily?
Seeing the elders of both the White and Shaw families standing by Annabel’s side so amiably made everyone exchange bitter, embarrassed glances. Their faces stung with
shame.
Meanwhile, at a luxury villa in Magnolia Heights, Leonard burst into Jonathan’s office, phone in hand.
“Look at this, Jonathan,” he shouted. “The trend on the internet is crazy!”
Jonathan was in the middle of a voice conference. He paused it and glanced up, visibly displeased.
‘What does anyone’s trending online have to do with me?‘ he thought. But Leonard handed him the phone like he was presenting a rare treasure.
“You have to see this, Jonathan!” said Leonard. “There are not only photos but videos too!”
On the screen, it was a clip of Jonathan and that wild little kitten, Annabel–together, they looked like a perfect match.
Seeing the photo, Jonathan’s lips curved slightly.
“Did you just smile?” Leonard exclaimed as if he’d discovered a new continent.
Jonathan shot him a look with those deep, unreadable eyes. Realizing he’d said too much, Leonard zipped his lips with a goofy grin–he’d keep the secret.
“But seriously, are we going to handle this whole thing?” Leonard continued.
“What do you think?” Jonathan gave him a look that screamed, ‘are you an idiot?‘
His fingers flew across the keyboard, ending the meeting. Leonard leaned in, thinking the big boss was about to do some masterful damage control.
Successfully unlocked!
Instead, he watched in awe as his beloved on saved every photo from the scandalous post.
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Chapter 20 She Hired A Killer?
“Bad angle… low resolution… no focus… ” Jonathan murmured to himself as he saved each image.
Once he was done, a new post appeared online:
[Aether Studios is currently recruiting actors. The person in the video is our manager, Miss White, auditioning new talent!]
‘New talent?‘ Jonathan’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly in surprise.
Meanwhile, at White family Residence.
In her room, Annabel saw the new post from Mason and curled her lips in satisfaction.
She logged into her game account–lucky! SirDoes Not Care was online.
[Hey Leonard, interested in acting?]
SirDoesNotCare: [Annabel, are you asking me to act in some plays?]
[It’s a legitimate job. Safer than the flesh trade, anyway.] Annabel answered. She didn’t like beating around the bush.
‘Flesh trade?‘ Leonard felt something was off but didn’t dwell on it. He refused outright:
[Not for me. I just want to enjoy life and be Jonathan’s number one sidekick!]
Annabel rolled her eyes. ‘What a useless brat, she muttered to herself, then sent another message: [What about your friend? Send me his contact info.]
Leonard didn’t dare send it without permission. He asked Jonathan first and only forwarded it after getting the nod.
Jonathan had just stepped out of the shower when Annabel called.
With only a towel wrapped around his waist, beads of water slid from his jaw down his collarbone and disappeared beneath the fabric.
He picked up the phone, oddly tense.
“Hello, this is Annabel,” said Annabel. “I can help you leave the nightclub life and erase your past completely. A fresh start.”
The girl he’d been missing days and nights was talking to him on the phone right now. Her voice made him gulped.
“Heh…” Jonathan chuckled, deep and low. His voice was so rich, it felt like a whisper
in her ear.
Annabel blushed. “What are you laughing at?”
“You want to keep me?” Jonathan said, still chucklling.
Annabel’s face flushed deeper–this time from anger. “I’m trying to be kind,” she said. ” If you’re not interested, forget it.”
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Chapter 20 She Hired A Killer?
Neither Leonard nor Jonathan wanted to give up their cushy lifestyles. Annabel thought to herself.
She was about to hang up, but Jonathan stopped her. “Wait, Annabel. I can be a part
in the play. But I have one condition.”
“Say it,” Annabel said curtly.
“I want to act with you,” Jonathan replied.
“No way.” To his surprise, Annabel rejected him without hesitation.
But even more shocking–he gave in. “Fine. Just let me know when to sign the contract.”
Annabel hung up and switched her computer to drive E. Inside were plenty of juicy files on Charles and Lillian.
If they didn’t break off the engagement now, wouldn’t all that dirt go to waste? Annabel grinned.
Meanwhile, Charles was fuming after storming out of the White family residence.
He returned to his room and took out the pendant he’d snatched from Annabel. Under the light, he studied it carefully.
He’d already had it examined–no one had tampered with it. It really was the one from Annabel. And considering how she’d been treating him lately…
“Clang!”
He nearly smashed the pendant in anger but managed to hold back. Instead, he knocked over a lamp, shattering it on the floor.
He picked up his phone and called Annabel. No answer. Frustrated, he sent her a
message.
[Annabel, I really love you.]
[I’ve already kicked that actress Stella out of the company. She’s blacklisted for good. Can we go back to how things used to be?]
The messages were heartfelt, but Annabel could practically hear the way he’d gritted his teeth while typing them.
She tossed her phone aside without replying and went back to discussing actor
recruitment with Mason.
That night, Annabel slept soundly. The next morning, she was jolted awake by a loud
knock.
“Annabel, wake up! The police are here!” someone shouted outside her bedroom.
She opened the door, sleep gone from her eyes–now only cold clarity remained.
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Chapter 20 She Hired A Killer?
“What happened?” Annabel asked.
Beatrice was outside, with Lillian next to her, putting on an overly worried face.
“Annabel, did you… kill someone?” Lillian replied.
Annabel frowned. Beatrice chimed in again. “Just be honest with us. Did you sneak out and kill Stella last night? If you did, I’ll hire the best lawyers to reduce your sentence!”
‘Stella… is dead?‘ Annabel’s eyebrows rose. She scanned the mother and daughter’s faces. ‘What an unfortunate coincidence.’
“I was home all night. Didn’t go anywhere,” she said. “Why are you looking at me like I’ m the killer?”
Beatrice tried again, softer, “What about hiring someone to do it for you?”
Annabel scoffed and brushed past them.
Downstairs, she heard Grandpa’s firm voice. “Annabel never left the house last night!”
“Mr. White, we found evidence at the scene. We’ll need Miss White to come with us for questioning. Please don’t interfere.” Though polite, the officers were clearly
determined to take her in.
Before anyone could say more, Annabel appeared. She’d already read Mason’s
message: Stella was killed on her way out of Frostville. At the scene, someone had left a single word in bold–White.
Walter picked up on the implication and roared, “You think I’m covering for her?”
Annabel stepped forward calmly. “Grandpa, I didn’t kill anyone. I wasn’t even at the scene. Let me go with them and clear things up.”
“Annabel…” Walter frowned, but Annabel didn’t even flinch.
“I’ll be back soon,” replied Annabel.
She walked straight toward the door. The two officers exchanged looks of disbelief, then quickly followed after her.
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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.