Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Victor looked at the results on the report and cursed, “Damn it!”
He handed the paper to Walter, gritting his teeth. “See, Dad? It’s been Annabel all along, that troublemaker! She framed her own sister, dragged Lillian through the mud. How’s Lillian supposed to hold her head up after this?”
Walter frowned, his voice a bit raspy. “Annabel is a good girl. This incident today had nothing to do with her. We must investigate thoroughly and find out who is trying to frame one of our own!”
“Dad, it was obviously Annabel-” Victor started, but his voice trailed off under Walter’s sharp gaze.
Walter then looked at the sobbing Lillian and sighed softly. “Lillian, it seems Grandpa misjudged you this time. What would you like?”
“Grandpa, I don’t want anything,” Lillian sniffled. “I just want you to be healthy and happy.”
Walter nodded, satisfied. He then told Victor, “Increase Lillian’s monthly allowance by a few thousand.”
“Grandpa…” Lillian began, feigning reluctance.
Walter shook his head. “Don’t refuse. I want you to invest this money wisely. Consider it compensation from me.”
Beatrice quickly prompted Lillian to thank him, and a smile spread across Victor’s face.
Annabel watched the entire exchange with a detached expression.
Her cold demeanor did not escape Walter’s notice.
“Annabel, Charles, come with me to the study,” Walter called out, glancing at the silent Charles.
“Okay,” they both replied.
In the study, Walter gestured to the sofa opposite him. “Sit down.”
Annabel chose to sit beside Walter instead. “Grandpa, I’ll sit here.”
Charles’s expression flickered slightly.
Walter didn’t object. He began, “You two have been through too much lately. Charles, regardless of the rumors out there, or whether today’s incident. holds any truth, our Annabel must not be wronged in any way!”
He all but accused Charles of being incapable of taking proper care of Annabel.
Charles understood the unspoken accusation, his face flushing slightly. He said gravely, “Mr. White, my feelings for Annabel are genuine.”
But Walter had already turned to Annabel, a hint of warmth returning to his eyes. “Annabel, whatever you decide, Grandpa will support you.”
He was leaving the decision entirely up to Annabel.
Afraid Annabel would bring up breaking up again, Charles quickly pleaded, “Annabel, I really love you! You have to believe how I feel about you!”
He hadn’t gotten his hands on the pendant yet; he absolutely wouldn’t give up!
But Annabel didn’t say anything, just looked at Charles with a faint smile.
Charles grew more anxious. “Annabel, please, I swear I’ll never go near Lillian again!”
Annabel finally spoke. “Okay.”
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09:44 Mon, 26 May
Chapter 34
She looked at Charles, her amber eyes holding a hidden glint, and said slowly, “I believe you, Charles.”
Charles felt a flicker of unease, but seeing Annabel agree, he finally relaxed the breath he’d been holding.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Walter’s eyes. He waved a hand dismissively. “Annabel, you two can go now. But Charles, remember this if you ever betray Annabel, the White family… will absolutely not spare the Shaw family!”
“Mr. White, don’t worry,” Charles gritted his teeth and swore, “If I ever wrong Annabel, may I meet a terrible end!”
He wasn’t religious, a firm believer only in the power of money. Empty oaths meant nothing to him.
Annabel’s eyes were deep and unreadable, a faint smile playing on her lips.
‘What goes around, comes around,‘ she thought. ‘This time, Charles would be the one to suffer a terrible fate!”
As they left the study, Annabel headed for her room, but Charles followed, grabbing her arm.
“Annabel,” Charles said, “we haven’t gone out to eat in ages. How about dinner tonight?”
Annabel couldn’t dodge him in time. She yanked her arm free and gave him a hard look. “Do you actually want to have dinner, Charles, or is there something else?”
Her gaze was dark and unsettling, sending a chill down his spine.
Charles answered, flustered, “Of course I want to have dinner with you.”
Annabel seemed to consider it for a moment before
odding. “Alright.”
Surprise flickered in Charles’s eyes; he hadn’t expected her to agree. “Great! Okay, Annabel, why don’t you get changed? I’ll wait downstairs.”
“No need,” Annabel cut him off, already heading for the stairs. “Let’s just go like this.”
Charles stared at her casual clothes–clearly loungewear. Showing up at a restaurant like that would be embarrassing–for him!
“Annabel, I don’t know about that outfit… ” Charles started, catching up to her, but Annabel cut him short. “You don’t like it? Afraid I’ll embarrass you?”
Her sharp question made Charles backpedal quickly. “No, of course not. Why would you think that?”
Annabel let out a soft, knowing laugh and continued down the stairs. Charles had no choice but to follow.
Downstairs in the living room, Lillian was putting on a show of sadness. Seeing Annabel and Charles leaving together, practically side–by–side, sparked intense jealousy and hatred in her eyes.
Her expression faltered, pretending to feel unwell. “Dad, Mom,” she murmured, “I think I’ll go up to my
room.”
Beatrice, concerned, stopped Victor, who looked equally worried. “I’ll go,” she whispered. “It’s easier for us to talk, mother to daughter.”
But Lillian clearly didn’t want her stepmother coming in. Beatrice’s tone became serious. “Lillian, let me in. I need to ask you something.”
Lillian frowned slightly but stepped aside. The moment the door closed, Beatrice asked urgently, “Lillian, tell me the truth. What is going on between you and Charles?”
“Mom! He’s my brother–in–law, that’s all!” Lillian snapped, clearly irritated, trying to pull her arm away from Beatrice’s grip.
Beatrice held on tight. “Lillian,” she said, her voice earnest, “you’re still young. We need to think long–term, not just about immediate desires. I know you’re smarter than that, aren’t you?”
Lillian’s long–term goal had always been to inherit the White fortune. Her mind raced. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Mom, you have to believe mel There’s nothing going on with Charles. Annabel framed me with those photos!”
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09:44 Mon, 26 May
Mon, 2
Chapter 24
Sering doubt will fingering in Beatrice’s eyes, Lillian pressed on,
What wouldn’t the do?”
The mention of her stillborn son struck a nerve. Beatrice’s grip tightened sharply, making than cry out in pan bebe Beance qiy
*Lillian, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Beatrice’s mind was clearly on her lost son. She gave Lillian a brief, distracted log, “Don’t suffer this injustion.”
Any trace of gratitude on Lillian’s face looked forced.
“Get some rest,” Beatrice said, having achieved her goat, and left.
As soon as the door closed, Lillian’s expression turned completely sour.
“So stupid!” Lillian thought furiously, Beatrice failed so many times to get rid of Annabel. Do I have to do everything myalty
Frowning deeply, Lillian sat down at her computer and sent a message to Simon Landon-[Hack into my sister’s computer Copy everthing & you don’t, I won’t let what happened today slide!]
But Simon Landon was a well–known hacker and wasn’t easily intimidated. He shot back–You told me to prove my skills. Who told you to keep those photos on your phone?]
Having the tables turned on her infuriated Lillian. [You want a letter from my lawyer? I’ll sue you for fraud and misrepresentation!]
Simon slammed his fist on the table in anger, but then a lewd grin spread across his face. [Miss White, no need to be so hostile. Spend the night with me, and I’ll do whatever you want.]
Lillian felt utterly disgusted and insulted. If she weren’t implicated herself, she would have called the cops on the creep immediately! Typing a quick [Get lost!) she logged off.
Left with no choice, she dipped into her personal funds and paid a hefty sum through back channels to hire the ninth–ranked hacker on the leaderboards.
Less than an hour later, the hacker called back, furious. He cursed her out, telling her never to contact him for this kind of job again. “Are you trying to get me killed?” he yelled before hanging up.
Lillian was stunned. Desperate, she shelled out even more money for the sixth–ranked hacker. Again, in less than an hour, the money was refunded with a curt message telling her to find someone else.
Who else could she possibly hire? She’d nearly blown through her savings just on the brokers‘ fees, let alone hiring someone ranked even higher!
It was the first time Lillian found that throwing money at a problem hadn’t worked. She felt utterly frustrated and helpless.
Finally, she made a call to Sutton Jared.
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.