The next day, Annabelle put on a big sweater and went out.Just as she took a couple of steps forward, Kendrick, who was behind her, pulled her back into the house. Then Mr. Gregory put a coat on her, placed a hat on her head, and tied a scarf around her neck. He satisfiedly adjusted the pom-pom on her hat and said, "It's perfect.""Just two steps away, there's no need to wear so much..."Annabelle looked reluctant, she had planned to visit Simon looking beautiful, but now her fluffy hair from the morning breeze would definitely be flattened by the hat."You just healed the scar and forgot the pain; did you forget how uncomfortable you were when you were sick a few days ago?"Kendrick sighed in his heart as he trained her, feeling like he had raised a daughter.I thought she was quite an independent girl, but sometimes she was not as careful as he thought.She is not just an expert in long-term illness, she simply doesn't take long-term illness seriously.Annabelle pouted, knowing he
When Annabelle arrived, it was not yet mealtime, so the two of them followed Simon to the small living room.Housekeeper Kim had already packed up the prepared items and handed them over to Annabelle, saying they were specially prepared for her.It was a small bamboo basket, and the contents inside were clear at a glance - several boxes of blueberries and two boxes of coffee.Simon said to Annabelle, "I heard that blueberries protect eyesight. Luckily, I have a small blueberry orchard in the south. I had someone pick some for you just yesterday afternoon. Although they're not anything special, the blueberries here should taste better than the ones you buy at the supermarket. I have already asked Kim to put the contact information of the orchard staff in the box. After you finish eating, you just need to send a WhatsApp message to them, and someone will continue to deliver them to you."Then I told Annabelle that herbal tea could cleanse the liver and improve eyesight, so I prepared tw
Annabelle was in a cheerful mood, and her eyes curved into a smile. "Hmm, it reminded me of the taste of my grandma's cooking."Simon was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, saying, "That's quite a high praise for me.""Hey? Is this... made by you?""Not like?"Annabelle only just noticed that Simon was indeed dressed comfortably and casually today. When they had greeted them earlier, his sleeves were slightly rolled up, and he even reminded Kim to be careful with the stove while speaking.I didn't think much about it before, but now I realize that Simon cooked this meal himself.Annabelle's good impression of Simon was steadily increasing. How could one not like such a refined and handsome middle-aged man who not only managed a large corporation but also excelled in culinary skills?At the same time, Mrs. Murphy and Stacy became even more curious, wondering what kind of woman could be so lucky to marry Simon and have such a handsome and talented son.Kendrick glanced
With that, Simon quickly added, "Regarding the signing fee, the Murphy Group will definitely come up with a price that satisfies Annabelle. Although money is certainly not a determining factor in your eyes, this does represent our sincerity as the Murphy Group."As Annabelle listened to Simon's earnest invitation, she could feel how highly he regarded her. Whether or not she would accept this invitation, she knew she had to take it seriously.Annabelle asked what the requirements were for being a spokesperson and what things she needed to comply with.Simon took out the drafted contract and handed it to Annabelle directly. "The contract includes some requirements, but they are all just procedures and formalities. Everything can be adjusted according to your situation. Take a look first, and if there are any parts you don't understand, I can explain them to you."Annabelle had never dealt with this type of contract before. Although she knew Simon wouldn't include any unfair terms, she
Upon hearing Annabelle's affirmative response, Simon immediately smiled and said, "Annabelle, if you have any requests, feel free to speak up.""I wanted to start endorsement activities after the exams were over. Because I had fallen behind on some courses, I wanted to catch up as soon as possible."Simon secretly admired, in the face of external disturbances, he remained calm and focused on his studies. Young people should be like this, prioritizing their academics.Although Simon wanted Annabelle to start endorsing immediately, he then chuckled and said, "No problem, the previous spokesperson's contract hasn't expired yet. You can focus on studying and have a good rest during the winter vacation, and then come to endorse later.""Thank you, Mr. Murphy," Annabelle said, glancing cautiously at Kendrick again.Although he appeared calm on the surface, Annabelle could already sense that Kendrick would probably have a serious talk with her later.After all, she made this decision a bit q
Although Annabelle was wealthy and powerful, she took it upon herself to accept endorsements, which indeed affected Kendrick.Therefore, Annabelle took a deep breath and continued, "Actually, I used to have a necklace that was very similar in style to Simon's latest jewelry collection. It was the only thing my grandmother left me, so when I saw those catalogs, it felt very familiar and I really wanted to endorse them next."She patiently explained, seemingly genuinely hoping that he would understand.Kendrick's anger had long dissipated by now, and for him, her earnest explanation was already enough.Anyway, I never intended to stop her from the beginning.Just hearing her mention the necklace, Kendrick's attention shifted to this matter as well."Which necklace, why have I never seen you wear it?""The necklace had long been taken back by my mother," Annabelle frowned as she spoke of it."Wasn't it given to you by grandma?"Annabelle pursed her lips, her mother wanted to claim her th
Annabelle snapped back to reality and quickly blinked her eyes. "Who said that? I was just thinking..."Kendrick's smile grew wider, "What are you thinking?""Didn't you say before that I was your wife and no one would dare to provoke me?"Her statement instantly lifted Kendrick's mood. He thought to himself, "It's all because you used to hide our relationship from us. I thought you were going to deny me again.""I thought you were going to have a secret marriage again."Annabelle sighed and said, "Even if I wanted to hide, I might not be able to hide it."After all, taking on the endorsement, especially from a big company like the Murphy Group, also meant putting oneself in an absolutely public position.This is different from going to school.With a cunning smile, she said, "Besides, if it benefits you to mention it, I don't have to stubbornly refuse."With her words, Kendrick did remember.Before, she was bullied at school. Some people said that she was being financially supported
"Anna, I am lying here next to you like this, can you really sleep?"Mr. Gregory was truly frustrated. He had the looks and the physique, so why was she so indifferent?"The doctor forbade me from daydreaming," Annabelle mumbled sleepily, "Kendrick, you should go to sleep too..."Kendrick raised an eyebrow, so, had she also daydreamed? Was it because the doctor said not to do it, that she had been suppressing her little desires all along?"What should I do if I couldn't fall asleep?"Annabelle suddenly opened her eyes wide, grabbed the big hand, and turned her head to glare at him.Kendrick chuckled softly and said, "It's not like it's the first time, why are you still so nervous?""Kendrick, I wanted to sleep!"These days, although Kendrick didn't have a feast, he still managed to take advantage of the cheap deals. Anyway, he kissed those he should and shouldn't have kissed, and touched those he should and shouldn't have touched.Although Annabelle gritted her teeth and shouted his f
Annabelle felt ticklish and giggled, swatting his hand lightly. “Lie still for a while, or I won’t keep you company.”Only then did Mr. Gregory purse his lips and obediently stop moving.If Anna hadn’t just recovered from a serious illness, and if he himself weren’t still weak right now, otherwise…Sigh! Kendrick let out a gloomy sigh, burying his face in the crook of her neck.After a moment, he asked, “By the way, did your young master say what exactly caused your fainting and shock?”Annabelle glanced at him with amusement. Every time he said your young master, she could smell the thick scent of jealousy wafting off him—but it was kind of cute, his little petty streak.So she repeated everything Ryan had told her, word for word.Kendrick listened carefully and didn’t comment much afterward. He only said, “Looks like you just had bad luck and ran into a poisonous flower.”Annabelle then brought up the scene at the little beach cabin, saying she was curious about what kind of woman h
In Annabelle’s eyes, Kendrick had made the best possible decision at the time—he had put her safety above all else and didn’t let pride get in the way by refusing the young master’s help.It was this kind of maturity and rationality that had always drawn her to Kendrick, giving her a deep sense of grounded security by his side.Looking at the petite woman in front of him, Kendrick suddenly didn’t know what to say.The guilt that had been gnawing at him for the past two days… was completely dissolved by a few simple, gentle words from his little bunny.Especially the phrase “You’re my husband.” That alone was more healing than ten IV drips.Without warning, he rolled over and pinned Anna onto the bed, kissing her more assertively, expressing his feelings in a far more direct way.Annabelle started pounding on his chest with little muffled sounds of protest.This man was crazy! If he kept moving like this, the IV line would come loose!But even sick, Kendrick was much stronger than she
Annabelle looked like she'd been caught red-handed, flustered and wide-eyed, staring at Kendrick at such a close distance.He, too, had his eyes slightly open, emotions deep and complex pooling within them.The anxiety and torment he’d endured these past two days—it all seemed to be captured in that one gaze.Kendrick moved the hand that had been resting on her back up to cradle the back of her head, and kissed her even deeper.Annabelle slowly closed her eyes, not daring to move, afraid of tugging at his IV line and causing the needle to slip out.Of course, she didn’t want to pull away either…So, what started as Kendrick kissing her forcefully ended up with her being more proactive and passionate instead.Coco, lazily glancing at the two people locked in an intense kiss, yawned, jumped off the bed, and followed the scent of its cat food to go find Uncle Trey.The little white cat trotted to the door, jumped up at the handle, hooked its front paws around it just right, then used its
"I'm heading over now."Just as Annabelle was about to hang up the phone, she heard Uncle Trey call out again, “Young Madam, wait a moment!”She brought the phone back to her ear. “What is it?”“When you come from home, could you bring Coco’s food and litter box? Young Master brought the cat over the night before last, but he didn’t bring any of its stuff. I’ve been too busy to go pick them up myself. It’s not starving or anything, but the poor thing has nowhere to go to the bathroom. It’s been squatting in the big flower pot every day…”Annabelle: “…”A vivid image popped into her mind—Coco tucked awkwardly under Kendrick’s arm, eyes wide with panic, meowing nonstop in complaint the entire way.She could just imagine it—one big, one small, both of them looking lost and homeless, wandering around like pitiful strays.But no matter how disoriented they were, how could they forget the cat food and litter?!Annabelle quickly gathered Coco’s things and drove to the old Gu estate.Just as
Ryan gave a small nod, unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, and lay down on the bed, quickly falling asleep.Only after hearing his steady breathing did Seraphina return to his side. She carefully removed his outer shirt, then used a warm towel to wipe his face, and then his chest—where the alcohol had spilled. Sleeping like that would definitely be uncomfortable.Finally, she pulled the blanket over him.Seraphina stared at the man in bed for a long time. Then, for the first time, gathering all her courage, she leaned down and placed a light kiss on the lips of the man she loved.He didn’t love her. In his eyes, she probably lacked even a trace of a woman’s charm—perhaps she couldn’t even stir up a shred of desire.But he had given her the utmost respect. Could that be considered a form of caring?Seraphina gently touched his lips with her fingers, her heart full of bitterness, but in the end, she smiled softly.Maybe… that’s enough.…Annabelle had already arrived at the the Grego
The Young Master was drinking?Seraphina quickly set the breakfast tray on the foyer cabinet and rushed inside. Not seeing him in the outer living room, she headed toward the inner rooms.She paused as she passed through the dining area.The vase had been knocked over, shattered glass scattered all across the floor, and the flowers lay strewn in disarray.Seraphina’s heart pounded. She carefully stepped over the broken shards and headed toward the bedroom.The curtains were drawn tight, casting the room into darkness. The Young Master was sitting on the carpet at the foot of the bed, his head leaned back against the mattress, seemingly asleep.The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, a large alcohol stain spread across the front, and beside him sat an almost-empty bottle of strong liquor.Looking at him like this, Seraphina felt her heart shatter.The Young Master had endured so many blows in his life, but he had never fallen into despair like this. He had always gritted his teet
The taxi pulled away from the hotel entrance. Annabelle rolled the window up and gave the driver the address of the the Gregory Group headquarters.She turned back to look at Seraphina, who was still standing there at the entrance, gazing in her direction.When Seraphina had said, “Actually, I should be the one thanking you,” her expression had looked sorrowful—with a touch of self-mockery. That made Annabelle even more certain of one thing:Seraphina must have feelings for the Young Master.So she had thanked her… because Annabelle was leaving him.Annabelle suddenly wanted the driver to turn around. She wanted to personally tell Seraphina that she would never fight her for the Young Master. If possible, she’d even be willing to help them get together.But she couldn’t interfere in the Young Master’s love life anymore.That would only be rubbing salt into his wounds.Not willing to be with someone, yet still trying to introduce them to someone else?That wasn’t right. And Annabelle k
Annabelle’s pale face finally flushed with a hint of red. She covered her stomach in embarrassment and smiled.“I won’t eat—Kendrick must be really worried about me. I want to go back as soon as possible.”With that, she headed back to the bedroom, grabbed her own clean clothes from the bench at the end of the bed, and went into the walk-in closet.It was the summer outfit she had worn back in the small fishing village. Elfhedge’s weather was still far too cold for dresses, but she didn’t want to wait for the Young Master to find her something warmer.All she knew was—Kendrick must be worried sick.And knowing that she was here, with the Young Master… he was surely feeling awful.She had to get back—immediately.Annabelle changed into her clothes and stepped out of the closet. The light summer dress and linen sandals made her look fresh and airy as she walked up to the Young Master.“Young Master, I’m leaving now.”Ryan looked her up and down but didn’t say anything more. He simply re
The Young Master said it as if he were joking, but Annabelle couldn’t help taking it seriously.He had once given her the courage and will to live. He had spent years meticulously nursing her back to health, restoring her appearance. Even after they reunited, he had saved her life several times.The grace and kindness he had shown her weren’t things that could be repaid with just a few words.So before she met Kendrick, before she accepted his love, Annabelle had always thought—One day, she must repay the Young Master.How?Anything she had, anything he wanted.But now that she was with Kendrick, she could no longer say something like that so casually.She couldn’t betray her commitment to Kendrick just to repay the Young Master,Nor could she forget the Young Master’s kindness just because she had Kendrick now.Her only hope was that the Young Master would ask for something she could give—As long as it wasn’t something like, “Stay with me.”Caught in this internal struggle, Annabel