Chapter 55
Annabel froze for a moment, caught off guard by Elizabeth’s overly enthusiastic demeanor.
Before Annabel could get a word in, the people around her started chiming in, “Go on. Don’t be shy. She’s probably just trying to show her gratitude”
Elizabeth squeezed out a few tears, her voice filled with sorrow. “Miss, my son and grandson I’m so lonely.”
always so busy. No one has time to keep me company
At that, Annabel was reminded of her grandfather. Feeling a wave of sympathy, she gently helped the woman up. “Alright, I’ll go with you.” Elizabeth’s face lit up with joy.
The two of them picked a restaurant in a nearby shopping mall for their meal.
During dinner, Annabel noticed how naturally graceful Elizabeth was. Every gesture and movement carried an effortless elegance, the kind that could only come from years of refinement. There wasn’t a trace of pretense.
Elizabeth’s outfit was equally remarkable. The design on the cuffs appeared to be the signature of a renowned Italian designer.
That designer had once stated that this mark would only appear on their most cherished creations.
The last time Annabel had seen this particular cuff design was on an outfit worn by the wife of a foreign president.
‘Hey, did I just help someone really important?‘ Annabel wondered.
She racked her brain, trying to figure out which family in Frostville could possess such wealth and presence, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t come up with an answer.
Elizabeth placed her fork neatly on the plate, dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin, and smiled warmly. “Miss, what’s your name?”
“Annabel,” she replied. Annabel decided to stop overthinking the lady’s identity and focus on the moment.
“Oh, Annabel, we are friends now. No need to be so formal,” Elizabeth said with a kind smile.
Annabel nodded politely. “Okay, Madam.”
Elizabeth was secretly thrilled, amused at how well her little act had worked. Not only had she managed to bring them closer, but they had even exchanged contact information.
“Oh, Annabel.” Elizabeth reached out and gently held Annabel’s hand. “Do you have a boyfriend? I have a grandson–tall, handsome, and great at making money. What do you think? Interested?”
Annabel’s smile froze for a moment before she managed an awkward laugh. “Sorry, Madam, but I’m still a student.”
Elizabeth beamed with delight. “That’s fine. He can wait.” Annabel was left completely speechless.
As they exited the mall, Elizabeth waved at Annabel. “Annabel, I’ll take the car home by myself. Make sure to call me when you get back, okay?”
Annabel hesitated, a hint of worry in her voice. “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own, Madam?”
Elizabeth nodded confidently. Just then, a sleek black sedan pulled up beside her, and someone stepped out to help her into the car.
Before the car drove off, Elizabeth rolled down the window and gave her a cheerful smile. “Bye, Annabel.”
Annabel waved back. “Goodbye.”
As the car disappeared into the distance, Annabel shrugged with a small smile and turned to leave.
1/3
11:29 Thu 5 Jun 91 ) M
Chapter 55
When Annabel arrived at the White residence, she hesitated for a moment before deciding to call the elderly woman she had met earlier.
“Madam, I’m home now, How about you?” Annabel’s tone was warm and gentle.
Annabel always showed great respect to her elders, a stark contrast to the way she usually spoke to Victor.
This difference didn’t escape Lillian, who had been secretly watching her. Lillian immediately jumped to conclusions, convinced that Annabel must be talking to some mysterious man. After all, she’d never heard Annabel sound so soft and kind.
Fueled by her suspicions, Lillian snapped
I photo
in secret. Just as she was about to sneak away, a cold voice stopped her in her tracks. “Wait.”
Startled, Lillian nearly dropped her phone. H Annabel, did you need something?”
guilty conscience was written all over her face. She turned around slowly, forcing a sweet smile. “Oh,
Annabel wasn’t in the mood for games. She extended her hand and fixed Lillian with an icy stare. “Hand it over.” Her deep, unreadable eyes seemed to pierce through Lillian, sending a chill down her spine.
Lillian shivered and instinctively hid her phone behind her back. “What are you talking about, Annabel? What do you want?”
“Your phone,” said Annabel.
Lillian let out a nervous laugh. “You’re so funny, Annabel. Why would I give you my phone? It’s not like I took yours.” She tried to walk away, but Annabel grabbed her wrist with a firm grip.
Lillian cried out in fear and frustration, “Annabel. Let me go. What are you doing? I’m going to tell Dad-”
Before Lillian could finish her sentence, Annabel, already losing patience, snatched the phone from her hand.
Lillian stomped her foot in rage. “You witch. Give me back my phone. Right now.”
Her mind raced with panic. That phone held countless photos she had taken secretly, and she hadn’t even backed them up yet. If Annabel deleted them, Lillian would suffer a great loss.
Before Lillian could act, she watched in horror as Annabel calmly walked to the second–floor window and tossed the phone outside.
“Ah.” Lillian darted forward, but all she could do was watch helplessly small splash.
as her phone sailed
the air and landed in the pool below, sending up a
“You bitch.” Lillian spun around, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Annabel. “What gives you the right to throw my phone?”
Not content with just shouting, Lillian raised her hand and swung it at Annabel.
Annabel didn’t flinch. She caught Lillian’s hand mid–swing, her smile cold and sharp. “You just keep getting uglier, don’t you?”
After the attack by the masked men last time, the scars on Lillian’s face had never fully faded, no matter how much effort she put into hiding them. Those faint marks were her deepest insecurity, and any mention of her appearance was like a knife to the heart.
“Even with scars, I’m still better looking than you,” Lillian screamed, her voice trembling with rage as her eyes burned red.
“You bitch,” Lillian shrieked, lunging at Annabel with her other hand, claws out and aiming for her face. Her attack was vicious, as if she wanted to tear Annabel apart.
Annabel swatted her hand away effortlessly, the sharp sound of the slap echoing in the air. Smack.
“Ouch, that hurts,” Lillian cried out, her arm going numb from the force.
Annabel, unfazed, released her other hand with a look of disdain, brushing her fingers off as if she’d touched something filthy. “Pathetic,” she muttered with a faint sneer.
11:23
Chapter 55
Lillian’s face burned with humiliation, her voice cracking as she choked out, “Annabel, you’ll pay for this. Bitch, I swear I won’t let
you
off.”
86%
38
Annabel’s expression didn’t change. She curled her lips into a faint smirk and said coldly, “Calling your own sister a bitch every chance you get? You really have no shame.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Behind her, Lillian’s hysterical screams and curses echoed through the air, growing fainter with each step Annabel took.
As Annabel stepped into her room, a sudden realization struck her. She finally remembered who the elderly woman was.
Annabel recalled a time when she went to pick up her grandfather and saw the two of them standing together, chatting and laughing like old friends.
A small smile tugged at her lips. After all these years, it wouldn’t hurt for Walter to have someone warm and understanding by his side. At the very least, Annabel found herself genuinely liking the elderly woman.
Annabel’s good mood lingered until Mason’s call interrupted her thoughts. “Annabel, there’s buzz about a rare red diamond on the black market. Want to check it out?”
“A red diamond?” Annabel’s chest tightened, and her breath hitched. “What does it look like? Do you know where it came from?”
“Not yet. All I’ve been hearing these past few days is talk about this diamond.” Mason’s voice carried a hint of intrigue.
“Got it. I’ll check it out.” Annabel’s tone was calm, but her mind was already racing.
She hung up the phone and spent a long time lost in thought before heading to the bathroom for a shower. Afterward, she came downstairs just in time for dinner.
The living room was unusually lively, a stark contrast to its usual quiet atmosphere.
“Annabel’s not just beautiful. She’s smart and capable, too. Mr. Kent, if she marries you, she’ll definitely help you manage everything at home, so you won’t have to worry about a thing,” Beatrice said enthusiastically, her tone resembling someone promoting a prized product.
Lillian’s laughter quickly followed. “That’s right, Mr. Kent. You’re so accomplished. Annabel would be lucky to have someone like you.”
Annabel listened silently, her fingers clenching around the staircase railing, her knuckles turning white with every word.
Annabel descended the stairs, her gaze cold as she looked down at the group seated on the sofa. A faint, icy smile curved her lips. “If Mr. Kent is such a catch, why don’t you marry him yourself, Lillian?”
A
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.