Chapter 56
Annabel’s gaze swept across the living room, taking in the familiar faces of the White family, her uncle Sutton, and a middle–aged man she didn’t recognize.
That must be her blind date partner. His sagging eye bags practically swallowed his eyes, and his beer belly stretched against his shirt as he leisurely sipped coffee. The moment he noticed her, his gaze turned into an unsettling, predatory stare.
Just one look at him, and Annabel could tell he was a man who had indulged far too much in life’s vices. Though he appeared to be in his forties or fifties, his body seemed to have aged decades beyond that.
Beatrice, satisfied that Annabel had gotten a good look at Jarvis, stepped forward with a smile. “Annabel, Lillian is already engaged to Charles. Besides, Mr. Kent is interested in you, not Lillian.”
She reached out, trying to pull Annabel closer to Jarvis, but Annabel sidestepped her effortlessly and chose a seat far from the group.
Sutton, ever the schemer, immediately caught the lecherous glint in Jarvis’s eyes. He was confident that he could get the thing done. Chuckling, he said, “Mr. Kent, don’t take it to heart. Annabel is just a little shy.”
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Jarvis nodded stiffly, trying to appear composed, but his gaze remained glued to Annabel, not straying for even a second. Everyone in the room had already noticed his inappropriate intentions.
Lillian, eager to see Annabel married off, chimed in with a sweet smile, “Annabel, it’s only natural for men and women to settle down. There’s nothing to be shy about.”
She added with a saccharine tone, “Besides, Mr. Kent is a successful businessman and even collaborates with the White Group. If you marry him, I guess we will be family, huh?”
Annabel didn’t respond. Instead, she turned her gaze to Victor. Victor coughed awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable. “Annabel, I think they have a point.”
Annabel’s lips curled into a mocking smile, which quickly turned into a dry laugh.
She spoke with a calm yet cutting tone, “He must be pushing eighty, huh? Based on his age, he could be my grandfather. But judging by his indulgences, he should really take it easy. At your age, Mr. Kent, one wrong move and you might just keel over.”
Her words were merciless, leaving no room for dignity. The faces of everyone present turned pale as her remarks hung in the air.
Annabel, however, maintained her smile, her tone dripping with mockery. “And Lillian? You seem to admire this gentleman quite a bit. What’s the matter? Already planning to snatch my husband–to–be? No need for that. I’ll gift–wrap him for you.”
Annabel’s sharp, sarcastic remarks completely shattered Lillian’s composure. She shot to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at Annabel as she shrieked, “You bitch, stop spouting nonsense.”
Jarvis, the supposed protagonist of this farce, was so enraged that his face turned an alarming shade of red, his chest heaving violently. The greed he once harbored for Annabel twisted into pure, unbridled fury.
He trembled uncontrollably as he raised a quivering hand toward Annabel. His lips moved, but no sound came out. With a final gasp, his eyes rolled back, and he crumpled to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Oh no, Mr. Kent.” The living room erupted into chaos. Annabel, however, sat there like a queen surveying a chaotic court, her calm demeanor a sharp contrast to the frantic scurrying around her.
Beatrice frantically dialed the hospital, her voice trembling with urgency, while Victor leaned over Jarvis, pressing on his philtrum in a desperate attempt to revive him.
Lillian, about to fetch a towel for Sutton, caught sight of Annabel sitting there nonchalantly. Her face twisted with rage as she screamed, “Annabel, have you no shame? Mr. Kent fainted because of you. If he dies, you’ll pay with your life.”
Sutton suddenly seemed to recall something. He pushed Victor aside and fixed his cold, calculating gaze on Annabel. His voice was low and chilling as be
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Chapter 56
“said, “Annabel, aren’t you skilled in medicine? If that’s the case, why aren’t you helping Mr. Kent wake up?”
“Why should I save him? His fainting has nothing to do with me.” Annabel’s voice was calm, her tone unyielding.
Sutton’s brows furrowed deeply, his expression darkening, while Beatrice feigned a softer tone, though her words dripped with malice, “Annabel, think about it. Mr. Kent will be your husband, after all. You wouldn’t want to start your married life as a widow, would you?”
Annabel’s face remained impassive, but her heart had already turned to ice, not for the pathetic display before her, but for Victor, the man who had once been her father, now reduced to a silent bystander.
Annabel stood up, her movements deliberate, and turned to leave.
Victor finally spoke, his voice sharp and commanding, “Annabel, stop right there.”
Annabel didn’t even flinch. With measured steps, she left the living room, her back straight and unyielding. Behind her, she could still hear Lillian shouting something incoherent.
Annabel quickened her pace, ascended the stairs, and shut the door behind her, sealing herself off from the chaos below.
A message from Sophie popped up. [Annabel, I made ravioli.
Annabel’s favorite food was her mom’s homemade ravioli, soft, savory, and filled with love.
‘Why invite Jonathan?‘ she wondered, confused.
“don’t bring
Mason and Jonathan over for dinner tomorrow?]
After sending the message, Annabel immediately called Mason. “Hey,
mom said
d you should come over for ravioli tomorrow.”
Mason practically shouted with excitement. “Ravioli? Ms. Miller’s ravioli? I could eat twenty in one
sitting.”
[Mom, Mr. Turner is really busy with filming and can’t make it. I’ll bring Mason tomorrow instead,] she replied.
Annabel chuckled, shaking her head. She was about to hang up, but then remembered what had happened downstairs earlier. She decided to share it with Mason as a joke.
Mason went silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm, but one could feel the swear, I feel like taking out those people.”
Annabel half–joked, “Don’t. My grandpa’s innocent, you know.”
Mason sighed in exasperation, “How can you still laugh about this? Is your grandpa out tonight?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “He’s staying at an old friend’s place for a few days.”
Mason’s anger still simmered. “What’s that old guy’s name? I’ll look him up.”
‘And Jonathan? Whatever. But who does this creep think he is, messing with Annabel?‘ he wondered.
fury bubbling beneath the surface. “Annabel, I
Annabel stopped him. “Not now. Anyway, he’s probably going to be stuck in the ICU for quite a while after this.”
Mason didn’t push further. They chatted a bit more before ending the call.
Annabel woke up early the next morning. Just as she was about to head out, Victor’s irritated voice echoed through the house, “Annabel, where do think you’re going? Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?”
Annabel paused, turning her head slightly as she asked, “Dad, if you were me, would you agree to marry that man from last night?”
Victor hadn’t expected the question. His face darkened as he snapped, “We are different. How can you even compare the two?”
Annabel let out a mocking laugh. “Exactly. So what gives you the right to decide who I marry or whether I can leave the house?” With that, she turned
Chapter 56
and walked away.
Victor stormed after her, shouting angrily as he followed her outside.
Annabel glanced back at him. “If you’re not worried about embarrassing yourself, go ahead and keep yelling. Want me to grab you a megaphone?”
Victor froze when he noticed a few neighbors out for their morning walk, their curious gazes fixed on him. Gritting his teeth, he shot Annabel a venomous glare but ultimately retreated into the house, unwilling to make a fool of himself.
Annabel smirked coldly, got into her car, and drove off to Aether Studios.
She worked tirelessly until just before lunch, when Mason knocked on her office door to remind her of the time.
Startled, Annabel quickly gathered her things and left with him.
“Oh, by the way, Mason, did you manage to get a photo of the red diamond?” she asked as they walked. She needed to confirm if it was the same one from the White family. But that diamond should have been with her mother.
Mason quickly found the video on his phone, then handed the phone over and said, “It’s kind of eerie.”
In the video, the diamond rested on a display stand. Inside, crimson threads brighter than blood twisted and flowed as if alive, faintly pulsing with an ominous red glow that seemed to draw the viewer in, making it impossible to look away.
It was unmistakably the same red diamond she had owned in her old life. But why was it cut up?
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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.