Chapter 59
Annabel hesitated for a moment, remembering how Elizabeth had once mentioned feeling lonely, and finally agreed.
“Alright, are we meeting at the Citadel Mall again? Is it far from your place, Madam?” Annabel said.
Elizabeth lit up with joy and said eagerly, “The Citadel Mall? Not far at all. See you there.”
Edwin, the butler standing nearby, gave a helpless smile and whispered, “Elizabeth, it’s a two–hour drive from here.”
Before he could finish, Elizabeth shot him a sharp glare. Edwin quickly shut his mouth. He knew Elizabeth’s childlike stubbornness well. Arguing with her would only make things worse. The butler quickly shut his mouth, knowing that arguing with her childlike whims would only backfire.
Elizabeth happily prepared to head out, but she noticed her grandson walking toward the door. She hurried after him and called out, “Jonathan, have you even tried chasing after Annabel yet?”
Jonathan stopped in his tracks and turned back. Seeing his grandmother’s hopeful expression, he sighed and rubbed his forehead, “Grandma, I’man adult.”
“Adults need to act fast in love. If you don’t make a move soon, someone else will snatch Annabel away, and you’ll be the one crying about it,” she warned.
Elizabeth was practically fuming with frustration. If she weren’t worried about scaring Annabel off, she’d have dragged the girl over and had them married on the spot.
“Got it, Grandma,” Jonathan said, his tone tinged with exasperation.
Jonathan let out a helpless chuckle, his lips curving into a faint smile. He glanced at Edwin, who was waiting nearby, and added, “Edwin, make sure Grandma gets out for walks more often.”
“I don’t want him to take me out. I want Annabel to keep me company.”
Elizabeth, now engrossed in her phone, left Jonathan and Edwin behind as she headed back into the house.
Jonathan lingered for a moment, his gaze softening briefly before the usual coldness returned.
He drove his car out of the Turner residence, only to find his path blocked by a red car.
The driver of the red car quickly rolled down the window, her voice brimming with excitement. “Mr. Turner, I knew you hadn’t left yet,” she exclaimed.
Jonathan stared at Celia with an icy, emotionless gaze, his indifference cutting like a blade. He remained silent.
Celia tried to steady her wildly beating heart and spoke with practiced elegance, “My brother’s visiting Frostville today, and he’d love to have dinner with us. Are you free, Mr. Turner?”
Jonathan briefly considered the partnership between their families before replying with a detached tone, “Maybe some other time.”
“But, Mr. Turner-” she spoke.
Before Celia could finish, Jonathan had already driven off, leaving her standing there, her words hanging in the air.
Celia gritted her teeth, her fist tightening before she slammed it against the steering wheel in frustration. “Damn it,” she muttered under her breath.
After taking a moment to collect herself, Celia grabbed the gift and stepped out of the car, heading toward the imposing gates of t
er residence.
Elizabeth was in the garden, trimming flower branches, when Celia arrived.
Celia quickly stepped forward and greeted her with a polite smile. “Elizabeth, let me help you with that.”
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As Celia spoke, she handed a few gift boxes to Edwin, the family’s butler.
Elizabeth cast a casual glance at the boxes. The packaging was fancy, sure, but she wasn’t born yesterday. These were clearly gimmicky products Bre at seniors useless junk that wouldn’t do a thing for anyone’s health.
‘Celia must’ve known that, yet she still brought them. Did she think I am some gullible old fool?‘ she wondered. Elizabeth let out a soft huff, her displeasure evident. ‘Annabel would never pull something like this,‘ she thought.
Unaware of Elizabeth’s growing irritation, Celia smiled and reached out to take the pruning shears. “Here, let me
Elizabeth stepped aside, avoiding her hand. “Miss Sherman, you should go and rest. I may be old, but I’m not helpless. I can handle small tasks like this just fine.”
“But Elizabeth, at your age, doing this kind of work-” Celia’s words were cut short by Elizabeth’s icy glare.
Even with her silver hair and advanced age, Elizabeth moved with surprising energy, her posture straight and her hands steady as she continued trimming the flowers. She didn’t say another word, her focus entirely on the task at hand.
Celia stood awkwardly to the side, searching for something to say, “Mrs. Turner, I saw a post the other day about an elderly woman who fainted. She looked so much like you.”
‘Isn’t that obvious? Do I, now? It’s me, after all,‘ she wondered. Elizabeth thought to herself, but didn’t bother to respond, her hands never pausing.
Hearing no response, Celia tried again. “Mrs. Turner, my family is planning to open a branch office here soon.”
Elizabeth finally spoke, her tone flat. “Business matters should be discussed with Jonathan. I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
Celia’s face flushed with embarrassment, her voice dropping to a murmur. “I understand. I was just mentioning it casually.”
Elizabeth had clearly run out of patience. Straightening her back, she set down the shears, picked up a few flower stems, and began walking toward the
villa. She shot Edwin a meaningful look as she passed.
Edwin immediately understood and stepped forward, holding the gift boxes out to Celia. “Miss Sherman, Mrs. Turner prefers natural remedies and doesn’t consume processed products.”
Celia hesitated, her smile faltering. “It’s just a gift of my appreciation.”
Edwin didn’t budge, his hand firm. “Miss Sherman, it’s better if you take them back. If Mr. Turner sees them, he’ll have me throw them out, and that would be a waste of your kind gesture.”
Celia’s expression darkened, but she reluctantly accepted the boxes. By then, Elizabeth’s figure had already disappeared into the villa.
Celia felt the blatant dismissal. Her pride wouldn’t let her stick around and be humiliated, so she gritted her teeth and stomped out of the house.
“What a waste of my kindness,” she muttered, her voice dripping with frustration.
The moment she stepped out of the Turner residence, she flung the gifts into the nearest trash bin.
‘If they don’t want them, fine. I’m not their trash can, she thought, her pride stinging.
Annabel arrived at Aether Studios just as Carlos was heading her way.
He walked straight ahead, showing no intention of stepping aside, forcing Annabel to frown and move out of his path to avoi
ision.
Carlos stopped abruptly, puffing out his chest arrogantly, a half–hearted smile on his face. “Oh, Miss White, you’re here at work already.
Annabel’s tone was calm but firm. “Mr. Mayer, where are you headed? Today’s shoot is scheduled in the newly set–up indoor studio, isn’t it?”
Carlos gestured to the crew behind him, who were busy moving props, before replying, “I was planning to shoot outside.” Carlos gestured to the crew
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Chapter 59
behind him, who were busy moving props, before replying, “I’m planning to shoot outside.”
Annabel raised her hand, stopping the crew in their tracks. “It’s raining today. If you head out now, you’ll just end up wasting time coming back when the rain gets worse.”
s
Carlos dismissed her concern with a casual remark, “We can just keep shooting, can’t we?”
Annabel’s expression turned icy. “If the equipment gets damaged by the rain, will you take responsibility for it, Mr. Mayer?”
Carlos let out a dry, derisive chuckle. “Miss White, making movies costs money. If the
gear breaks, we just buy new ones. What’s the big deal?”
Annabel couldn’t help but laugh at his audacity. “It’s not about making a fuss. But since you said we can just buy replacements, I’ll make sure the finance department knows you’re footing the bill for any damaged equipment.”
Carlos stomped his foot in frustration. “Annabel, you’re really pushing it.” Carlos’s face darkened push your luck.”
as he stomped his foot in frustration. “Annabel. Don’t
Annabel didn’t even spare him a glance. Grinding his teeth, Carlos begrudgingly ordered the crew to move the props back inside. Without saying anothe word, he stormed off, leaving everyone wondering where he was headed.
Inside the studio, the actors and crew were already in place, but the director was nowhere to be seen.
Someone finally spoke up, sounding anxious. “Miss White, do you know when Mr. Mayer will be back?”
Annabel glanced at her watch. It had been forty minutes since Carlos left.
Her gaze grew colder as she lowered her hand and strode toward the monitor. Putting on the director’s headset, she announced, “Mr. Mayer has other matters to attend to. I’ll be the director for today.”
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.