Novel Rebon 61
Chapter 61
Victor frowned, clearly displeased with Annabel’s sarcastic tone. “Annabel, Lillian’s wedding is such an important event, and this is how you respond? So dismissive?”
Annabel glanced at Victor, her gaze icy. But when her eyes shifted to Lillian, a faint smile played on her lips.
“Congrats to my dear sister and her husband. Wishing you eternal love and, of course, lots of kids–sooner rather than later,” said Annabel. ‘Oh, by the way, none of them will be Charles‘ biological children,‘ she added inwardly.
Lillian hated Annabel’s smile; it was so condescending as if she looked down on the world. It made Lillian furious and envious. “Why does Annabel get to be the White family’s heiress, while I am just a stepdaughter?‘ Lillian wondered.
Grinding her teeth, Lillian forced a smile and leaned her entire body against Charles, one hand gently resting on her stomach.
“Thank you for your blessing, Annabel. I’m already pregnant with Charles‘ child.” Lillian smiled.
Annabel raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Wow, that’s fast. Beatrice’s birthday wasn’t too long ago, and you’re already announcing it?”
Beatrice, though unhappy with this marriage, wouldn’t let Annabel insult her daughter. She interjected, “Annabel, you must have a poor memory. My birthday was over a month ago, and Lillian just recently confirmed her pregnancy.”
Annabel nodded. “As long as it’s confirmed, that’s all that matters.”
Lillian’s face turned slightly pale, her expression a mix of anger and grievance. She frowned and said, “Annabel, are you implying that I might have some improper relationship with another man?”
Before Annabel could respond, Victor cut her off with a sharp reprimand, “Annabel, don’t think you can drag others down just because you’re like this. Lillian is clean and decent. Watch your words before you cross the line.”
Annabel let out a soft, mocking laugh, her amusement barely concealed. She caught the glimmer of triumph in Lillian’s eyes and said, “Don’t forget to send me the wedding details. I’ll make sure to prepare a grand gift.” With that, she turned and walked away.
Victor saw Annabel completely ignoring him and roared furiously, “Annabel, you are so rude.”
Annabel paid no attention to his continued shouting and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
After taking a shower and changing into her pajamas, Annabel headed to the third floor to find Walter. On her way, she accidentally overheard voices coming from a corner.
“Lillian, be honest with me. Are you really pregnant?” said Beatrice.
“Of course, I am. Why would I joke about something as serious as my child?” Lillian replied.
Beatrice’s tone was low, tinged with frustration. “Did the Shaw family really promise you ten percent of their shares if you gave birth to a son?”
“Yes, they did,” Lillian replied with a smile, then muttered, “But, Mom, do you think Grandpa will give me any shares from the White family?”
Beatrice’s voice turned firm. “Don’t worry. We will figure out a way to get them for you.”
Annabel didn’t bother listening to the rest. Instead, she recalled how Edward had approached her earlier that evening, t with Charles. She couldn’t help but scoff at the absurdity of it all.
to convince her to reconcile
Annabel shook her head slightly and was about to leave when an angry
icer
rang out behind her. “Annabel, what were you eavesdropping on?”
Annabel stopped in her tracks and turned to glance at Lillian. “If you’ve got nothing to hide, why are you so scared of me hearing it?”
Lillian glared at Annabel fiercely. “Because you are so scheming.”
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Chapter 61
Annabel’s gaze swept over Lillian, noting her heavy makeup, the sleeveless dress that exposed her arms and legs, and her lack of stockings. Annabel let out a mocking laugh. “You should be more careful, Lillian. The first three months of pregnancy are critical, especially for a first time mother like you..
Lillian noticed Annabel’s eyes lingering on her still–flat stomach. Her face paled as she stumbled backward, clutching her stomach protectively “W–Wes are you talking about? Are you trying to scare me?”
Beatrice quickly stepped forward to support Lillian, her patience with Annabel seemingly at its limit. Beatrice shouted, “Annabel, I’ve always been good to you. How could you say something so cruel to Lillian?”
Annabel let out a cold chuckle but said nothing.
Walter sat at his desk in the study, his reading glasses perched on his nose as he flipped through a book.
Annabel walked in and plopped herself down on the sofa nearby. “Grandpa, how was your lunch with Madam today?” she asked, her tone playful.
Walter chuckled, a mix of helplessness and affection in his voice. “Annabel, stop trying to set me up. There’s absolutely no chance of anything happening
between me and her.”
After a brief pause, he looked at her curiously. “Annabel, do you really like that madam?”
Annabel blinked, caught off guard by the question. She rested her chin on her hand and said, “Not really. I helped her out once, and we had lunch together. We’re not particularly familiar with each other. She’s got a great personality, though, and we get along pretty well.“.
“That’s good to hear,” Walter said thoughtfully, nodding.
Annabel couldn’t quite figure out what Walter was thinking. She stayed with him for a while, quietly keeping him company as he read. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered the conversation between Lillian and Beatrice.
After hesitating for a moment, Annabel finally asked, “Grandpa, if Lillian gets married, are you planning to give her shares?”
Walter froze mid–motion, lifting his gaze to meet Annabel’s. After a long pause, he made his decision with solemnity. “Annabel, I’ve thought it through. The entire White family will be handed over to you in the future. As for whether Lillian gets any shares, that’s entirely up to you.”
Annabel shook her head slightly. “I don’t need them. Whether Lillian gets shares or not, I think you should decide, Grandpa. I don’t want you and Dad fighting over this.” She worried most about Walter’s health.
At the mention of Victor, Walter’s face darkened, and with a sharp thud, he slammed his hand on the desk. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Annabel offered a few comforting words before leaving the study.
After returning to her room, Annabel asked Mason about the appraisal of the red diamond.
Mason: [No results yet. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready.]
Annabel: [Alright.]
Annabel replied to the message, turned off her phone, and went to sleep. However, she was jolted awake in the middle of the night by the sound of a
heated argument.
Being a light sleeper, she immediately recognized Victor’s voice.
Worried something might happen, Annabel hurried to the third floor.
Victor shouted angrily, “Dad, are you planning to give all the White family shares to that bitch?”
Bitch? Annabel’s fists slowly clenched as she bit her lower lip, standing frozen for a moment. Then, she resumed her steps upstairs.
The study door was ajar, and the light spilled out, casting a long shadow across the floor.
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Chapter 61
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Victor continued his tirade, his voice booming through the hallway. “Three percent of the shares? What kind of joke is that? You’re Lillian’s grandfather. How can you be so biased?”
A sobbing voice followed shortly after, “Grandpa, Dad, please stop fighting. I don’t want the shares; I just want you both to stay healthy-
Before Lillian finished her words, Annabel pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Inside the study, Walter stood behind his desk, while the other three faced him with aggressive postures, clearly here to stir trouble.
The family had long been divided into two factions, though Walter had been trying his best to maintain some semblance of balance.
But now, Walter couldn’t hold on any longer. He was trembling with rage, his entire body shaking as he struggled to grip his cane. His face was ashen, and one hand was already clutching his chest.
“A–Annabel?” Walter’s face turned pale as he realized Annabel had heard it all. His chest heaved, and before anyone could react, he collapsed backward.
Fortunately, Annabel had anticipated this. She rushed forward and caught Walter just in time. Her face turned cold as she looked at Victor. “Grandpa’s not well. You can leave now.”
Her deep eyes were devoid of any warmth, chillingly indifferent.
Victor, enraged that Annabel dared to order them out, exploded. “This is between me and your grandfather. Who do you think you are, barging in? If anyone’s leaving, it’s you.”
Beatrice and Lillian, seeing Annabel intervene yet again, both looked visibly displeased.
Annabel frowned, about to say something, when a wrinkled hand gently patted the back of her hand. “Annabel-”
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.