Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Annabel wasn’t just an outsider with no experience in filmmaking–her young age alone made people uneasy.
But because of her status, no one dared to speak up. Even with doubts in their hearts, they followed her instructions anyway.
No one expected that, even without Carlos’s years of experience, Annabel’s camera skills were sharp, and her advice to the actors was spot-on,
In just half a day, Annabel had the crew completely won over.
The shoot lasted until the early hours of the morning.
Mason had been visiting the set earlier and stayed behind with Annabel. As he pressed the elevator button, he said, “Annabel, let me drive you home.
Annabel, too tired to argue, stepped into the elevator. She rubbed the back of her neck and asked, “Did Jonathan take the day off today?”
Jonathan was quickly becoming Mason’s biggest headache.
He nodded firmly. “Yeah, Jonathan’s just not cut out for this industry. Once this shoot wraps up, he should leave.”
Annabel didn’t say anything.
Annabel had just stepped into the White residence when a text message popped up on her phone. [Annabel, don’t forget about lunch with me tomorrow.]
The message even came with an adorable emoji at the end.
Annabel chuckled softly. Elizabeth was surprisingly trendy for her age–pretty adorable, actually.
She quickly replied: [Got it.]
After sending the message, an idea struck her. Her grandfather and Elizabeth got along well, and tomorrow would be the perfect chance for them to spend some quality time together.
Heading up to the third floor, Annabel knocked on her grandfather’s door.
“Grandpa, I have something tomorrow morning, but I just remembered I promised to have lunch with a madam. Can you go for me, please?” she asked, grabbing his arm and giving him her best puppy–dog eyes.
She said it in a playful tone, trying to win him over. Walter, however, was quick to refuse. “Just cancel it and meet her another day.”
Annabel shook her head and clung to his arm. “No way, Grandpa. I really like her, and I don’t want to break my promise.”
With a helpless sigh, her grandfather finally relented. “Alright, I’ll go.”
Only then did Annabel leave happily, but not before teasing him, “Grandpa, don’t forget to look dashing.”
Walter sighed and shook his head, speechless.
The next morning, Annabel personally went upstairs to pick out an outfit for Walter. Walter arrived at the agreed location and noticed that the only person seated in the restaurant was by the window.
Leaning on his cane, he approached her and said, “Sorry, my granddaughter got caught up with something last minute, so I came instead.”
Chapter 60
Elizabeth turned her head at his words, their eyes meeting briefly before both quickly looked away, an awkward silence settling between thems
“Have a seat,” Elizabeth said, Breaking the tension.
Walter walked around the table and had just sat down when Elizabeth’s voice, tinged with urgency, came from across the table. “You need to get Annabel and Jonathan married, and fast.”
“It’ll save us from all sorts of misunderstandings in the future.”
Walter shook his head slowly, his tone calm. “Annabel’s still young. What’s the rush?”
Elizabeth scoffed, half–joking but clearly annoyed. “You’ve got plenty of sons and grandkids to keep you company, don’t you? Annabel’s lucky she’s smart and sharp, or she’d have been spoiled rotten under your care.”
Edward chuckled good–naturedly, his calm demeanor unshaken.
Seeing that her words had no effect, Elizabeth let out an annoyed huff. “Fine, if you don’t agree, I’ll figure something out myself.”
Annabel had already arrived at the company, while Carlos, acting as if nothing had happened, returned to continue filming.
She pretended not to notice, assigning someone to keep an eye on him while she stayed in her office to work.
It wasn’t until evening that she finally wrapped up her tasks.
On her way back to the White residence, her phone rang. It was Edward. “Annabel, it’s been so long since I last saw you. Could you join me for dinner tonight?”
As if afraid she might refuse, Edward sighed, his voice heavy with emotion, “I’ve been thinking a lot about when you were little. I miss you.”
Edward had watched her grow up and always dreamed of her becoming part of his family. He’d been nothing but kind to her over the years.
After a moment of hesitation, Annabel agreed. “Alright.”
She turned her car around and headed to the restaurant Edward had chosen. When she arrived, it seemed he had been waiting for quite some time.
It hadn’t even been a month since they last met, but he looked like he’d aged ten years. The wrinkles on his face had deepened, his complexion was poor, and even his once–straight posture now appeared hunched.
Annabel felt a twinge of emotion as she approached and greeted him politely, “Mr. Shaw, it’s been a while.”
“Yes.” Edward gestured to the chair across from him. “Have a seat, Annabel.”
No sooner had he spoken than Edward began coughing violently, his body trembling with each harsh breath.
Annabel sat down, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked with concern, “Mr. Shaw, are you alright?”
He shook his head but then lifted his gaze to meet hers.
His eyes, once sharp and full of life, now seemed clouded and dim. He stared at her for a long time, as if searching for the saying nothing.
words but ultimately
Annabel, understanding what he wanted to say, decided to address it directly. “Mr. Shaw, what’s done is done. You should try to move on.” Her words left no room for negotiation.
As expected, Edward let out a deep sigh but refused to give up. “Annabel, I truly care for you. Can’t you give Charles another chance? Or, if not him, perhaps one of my other grandsons? I can introduce you to them.”
12:05 Fri, 6 Jun J
Chapter 60
Annabel couldn’t help but wonder why Edward was so fixated on this? Is it guilt? Or something else entirely?‘ she wondered.
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She responded calmly, “Mr. Shaw, I’m not planning to get married anytime soon–especially not to someone who humiliated me at my stepmother’s birthday party.”
Edward, perhaps too agitated by her words, suddenly began coughing violently, his body shaking with each rasping breath.
Annabel frowned and stood up, moving to his side. One hand gently patted his back while the other discreetly checked his pulse.
His pulse felt unusual. Her delicate brows knitted even tighter.
Without revealing her thoughts, she withdrew her hand and handed him a glass of water, smiling as she reassured him, “Mr. Shaw, while I can’t be your granddaughter–in–law, I’ll always call you Grandpa, just like before.”
After the coughing fit subsided, Edward seemed too weak to continue the conversation. He nodded feebly and dropped the subject.
They finished the meal quickly, and given Edward’s poor health, they parted ways soon after.
Annabel drove all the way back to the White residence. Before stepping into the living room, she already knew Victor, Beatrice, Lillian, and even Charles were there.
Not interested in joining their conversation, Annabel headed straight upstairs.
She had barely climbed a few steps when Lillian’s sugary voice rang out behind her. “Annabel, Charles and I got our marriage license today. Aren’t you happy for us?”
Annabel paused mid–step, her eyes narrowing as she turned to face the group below.
Lillian was practically glowing with happiness, clinging to Charles’s arm. “We’re even planning a wedding party in three days,” she added, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Charles wrapped an arm around Lillian, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes were as cold as ice, fixed on Annabel.
Victor looked equally thrilled, his face brimming with satisfaction, while Beatrice’s expression was harder to read. She didn’t seem particularly pleased.
‘Rushing into marriage to hide a scandal, huh? How predictable,‘ Annabel thought, a cold smile tugging at her lips.
“Oh? Congratulations, then,” she said lightly, her tone calm and detached.
But as she turned to leave, her eyes glinted with a chilling resolve. ‘I’ll make sure your wedding party is unforgettable,‘ she thought.
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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.