Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Everyone else was also curious about Jonathan’s identity. Clearly, he was no ordinary person.
Before Annabel could respond, a hand suddenly reached out toward her. “Annabel, come with me to meet someone,” Charles said.
Charles’s hand was still in mid–air, not crossed Jonathan’s deep eyes.
Leonard, with a cheeky grin and not White is keeping us company?”
touching the hem of Annabel’s dress, when Jonathan stepped sideways to block him. A flicker of displeasure
an
ofr
traint, chimed in, “Hey, we’re all guests!
here. Mr. Shaw, you seem a bit impolite. Didn’t you see Miss
Charles’s face darkened, and he was about
something when Walter spoke up. “Annabel, bring your friends and come with me to the study.”
Annabel hadn’t answered Lillian’s question yet. She had no idea who Charles wanted her to meet, but nothing was more urgent than Walter’s request.
Annabel nodded immediately. As she headed upstairs with Jonathan and Leonard, she shot Leonard a meaningful look, warning him to think before he spoke.
Leonard gave a thumbs–up and let out a low chuckle. “Got it.”
Jonathan, however, kept his gaze straight ahead,
d, as if he hadn’t noticed the look Annabel had sent.
Annabel couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. ‘I’d like to see how long you can keep up this act,‘ she thought to herself.
As soon as they entered the study, Walter couldn’t contain his excitement. “Mr. Turner, I didn’t expect you to be at the White residence today.”
“Since I received your invitation, of course, I will come. Though I didn’t expect the honor of performing a duet with Miss White,” Jonathan said, his eyes landing on Annabel with a warm smile.
‘Mr. Turner?‘ Annabel pondered inwardly. ‘Grandfather knows him and respects him so much? Who on earth is Jonathan?‘
Without waiting for Annabel to process this, Walter eagerly took on the role of matchmaker. “Mr. Turner, what do you think of Annabel?
“You two seem to know each other quite well, and your previous performance together was outstanding.”
His smile turned a bit suggestive as he cleared his throat and continued, “It takes incredible chemistry to pull off such a perfect piece.”
Jonathan and Annabel exchanged glances, their emotions varied. Jonathan looked inexplicably delighted, while Annabel was completely bewildered.
“Grandfather, let me ask you something first,” Annabel said, noticing that although Jonathan’s wariness had lessened, he was still on guard. “Who exactly is Mr. Turner?”
Walter was taken aback that Annabel didn’t know Jonathan’s true identity. “This is Jonathan Turner, the future heir of the Turner family from Arlington.”
“What?” Annabel exclaimed.
Jonathan rarely saw such a stunned expression on Annabel’s face, and he felt a small sense of satisfaction. He chimed in, “I’m from the Turner family of Arlington.”
The Turner family was the world’s most prestigious family. Annabel had always thought Jonathan made a living by selling sex; sh was the heir to the Turner family.
imagined he
Annabel was utterly stunned, but she quickly composed herself. However, her attitude toward Jonathan immediately became distant. She didn’t want to get involved with the Turner family.
Jonathan sensed this and furrowed his brows slightly, lowering his voice. “Little Wildcat?” he whispered, so softly that only Annabel could hear.
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Chapter 42
Annabel shifted her gaze to Leonard. “And this must be Mr. Jensen from Arlington, right?”
“Hey, Annabel, we-“Leonard almost blurted out something before catching himself. “Just call me Leonard. We’re friends”
Annabel remained indifferent. “Grandfather, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave and not disturb your discussion,” she said, preparing to suit. Water didn’t stop her, he truly had matters to discuss with Jonathan.
At that moment, Lillian had already retreated to the guest room, trembling all over and unable to face the guests.
Beatrice stayed by her side, comforting her. “Lillian, don’t worry. Walter has taken his medicine. Even if he’s planning to name Annabel as his successor, you have nothing to fear. He won’t live long enough to make the announcement.”
Lillian bit her lower lip tightly. “Mom, I’m so angry. Today was supposed to be your birthday party, but she stole all the attention. Why? Now everyone’s talking about how amazing Annabel is, and they’ve completely forgotten that they came here to celebrate Mrs. White’s birthday”
Beatrice was taken aback for a moment, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn’t help but call Sutton. “How much longer will it take you to get here?”
“I’m already here. Why hasn’t Walter had his attack yet?” Sutton asked.
Beatrice was a bit irritable. “How should I know? I wish he had had his episode sooner.”
Sutton didn’t get angry. Instead, he chuckled, his tone filled with malice. “Since he’s not having an attack after all this time, let’s stir up some trouble to provoke him.” Sutton and Lillian had already planned this out.
Beatrice knew about the plan but hesitated. After all, today was her birthday party. But if she missed this chance, she might never get another one. She stole herself and made up her mind. “Alright. Let’s do it.”
Not long after Annabel went downstairs, a servant approached with a tray and stopped in front of her. Annabel picked up the only glass of champagne on
the tray.
Just as Annabel was about to take a sip, she caught the servant out of the corner of her eye and glanced back.
The servant looked a bit flustered, quickly averting her gaze and pretending to tidy up the table.
‘Something’s not right,‘ Annabel thought. She curved her lips into a faint smile, raised the glass, and took a small sip.
After the servant left with a relieved expression, Annabel casually took out a napkin and discreetly spat out the sip of champagne, her eyes cold and calculating.
‘Was it Beatrice or Lillian? Or maybe they conspired together?‘ Annabel pondered, then noticed Lillian not.far away.
A glint of realization flashed in her eyes. She wasn’t sure what was in that glass of champagne yet. ‘I’ll need to find someone to test it on,’ she wondered.
Lillian finally spotted Annabel, who was sipping her drink. Knowing the plan had succeeded, Lillian couldn’t hide her delight and turned to her companions. “You were looking for Annabel earlier, right? There she is. Let’s go over.”
Everyone except Hannah was excited and eager to meet such a talented and beautiful woman again. Lillian, however, was consumed by jealousy.
‘But it won’t be long now,‘ she thought. ‘Soon, Annabel would become a
laughingstock.‘
“Annabel, where are your friends? Why aren’t they with you?” Lillian asked deliberately as she approached.
Seeing that Annabel’s glass was still almost full, she grew anxious and added, “Grandfather has been a bit irritable lately. Don’t be upset. How about I join you for a drink?”
It was the most foolish way to offer a drink. Annabel smiled. “Sure.”
Just as Lillian was about to take a sip, a hand stopped her. Her glass was taken
away and replaced with a new one.
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Chapter 42
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“Yours is almost empty. If you’re going to drink with me, you should be more sincere,” Annabel said with a smile, then raised her glass and drained it in
one go.
Lillian, though reluctant, drank her own glass as well after seeing Annabel finish hers.
Annabel’s smile deepened as she waved goodbye. “I won’t disturb your conversation anymore, Lillian.”
Lillian looked at Annabel’s smile and felt a sudden sense of unease.
A few minutes later, Lillian began to feel strange and extremely anxious. Her mouth was dry, and no matter how many glasses of water she drank, it didn’t help.
Eventually, Lillian had no choice but to slip away from the crowd and head upstairs alone.
Her steps were already unsteady, and she didn’t notice the figure following closely behind her.
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.