At this moment, Kendrick had already served breakfast and there was a plate in front of each person.Annabelle glanced at her breakfast plate and it seemed that there was more than just one fried egg.It was an avocado sandwich, a fried egg, a few blueberries, half an orange, and a glass of soy milk on the side.Although she was a doctor, she should have known how to take care of her health. However, in reality, her meals were very simple and plain, sometimes even perfunctory.Looking at the breakfast on the table, Annabelle suddenly felt hungry.But it couldn't be eaten now.Eating someone's breakfast, they could no longer confidently negotiate.Therefore, Annabelle did not move.Kendrick was also puzzled.He was busy with numerous tasks, handsome and charming as he was. He cancelled the morning video conference and personally cooked breakfast, wearing a white T-shirt that showcased his figure and made people feel at ease. Why was she so indifferent?"Not to one's taste?""No," Annab
Annabelle was not an insensitive person who didn't know how to measure her words. The sentence she just said hurt Kendrick, and she could feel it too.After a moment of contemplation, she said to Kendrick, "You are different to me, of course, from that dirty old man. Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen to get engaged and married to you. I just don't want our relationship to become complicated."Received love, then abandoned.Liked and disliked.She had already experienced this feeling deeply and did not want to go through it again.Kendrick pondered over Annabelle's words.She didn't want things to get complicated, that is to say, she felt that their relationship had become something more than ordinary.So, she came early in the morning with two dark circles under her eyes to set boundaries with him."Did you not sleep well last night because I kissed you yesterday?"When Kendrick asked this question, his eyes were fixed on her face, not wanting to miss any subtle expression from her.H
The car window rolled down, and Annabelle caught sight of Marvin's handsome face, full of wildness and arrogance."Anna, get in the car, I'll give you a ride."He spoke very naturally, as if the two of them were very familiar.Since Annabelle already knew his feelings for her, she naturally wouldn't get in his car. Anyway, she could always hail a taxi in ten minutes."No need."After finishing speaking, Annabelle moved the flowerpot towards the back of her car and continued to hail a taxi.Marvin got off the car directly.He came to Annabelle's side, smiled at her stubborn face, and without saying a word, he picked up the flower pot she had placed on the ground and walked straight to the car."Hey, Marvin!"However, Marvin, who was tall and had long legs, had already placed the flowers on the car in just two steps."I didn't need you to give me a ride."As she spoke, she was about to take the flower down, but Marvin stood in front of the car door."Anna, you don't have to hide from me
Annabelle furrowed her brows, she and Kendrick didn't have anything going on, how did Marvin find out?"I had a good relationship with Kendrick."After finishing speaking, Annabelle turned her head to look outside the window. Regardless of how he knew, she wanted to discuss this topic again.Marvin also noticed that Annabelle didn't want to talk, so he patiently remained quiet, although his mood had already changed from before.Actually, he was just pretending earlier, but of course he had some basis for pretending.He accidentally overheard Trey and Kendrick talking on the phone, asking Kendrick to take the initiative in that aspect.He had doubts at that time, but he was not sure yet. Seeing Annabelle's unnatural expression at that moment, his suspicions were confirmed, and he couldn't help but feel delighted. Silently in his heart, he vowed to make sure Anna would return to his side.Finally, he brought Annabelle home and helped her carry the flowers back to the garden. As if casua
Marvin firmly passed the clothes through the crack in the door."I bought this dress for you, although it's not exactly the same as yours, but it's also a limited edition new design by Master Fey. If you don't want it, you can tear it up and throw it away."Annabelle refused to take it, so he forcefully shoved it into her hand."Anna, I will come back tomorrow to teach you how to drive.""...No need, even if you came, I wouldn't learn from you."Marvin, however, smirked and a hint of mischief flashed across his handsome face, "See you tomorrow!"Watching the blue sports car roaring away, Annabelle was filled with frustration and speechless.How could there be such arrogant and self-opinionated people?Annabelle shook her head and walked back into the villa, carrying her clothes. She casually placed the million-dollar outfit at the entrance and proceeded to tidy up her plants and flowers.Annabelle spent the rest of the afternoon in flower arranging, which was quite enjoyable.As for G
Annabelle suddenly widened her eyes, and at that moment, she had one thought - she hadn't brushed her teeth! And neither had she...Fortunately, Kendrick didn't French kiss, he only kissed her lips and left after a moment.Kendrick seemed to have noticed her thoughts and chuckled as he playfully tapped her nose, "We've already shared a bed, so why are you still acting so distant?"The two words "slept with" were deliberately emphasized by him, which frightened Annabelle and made her face turn pale. She abruptly pushed Kendrick away.In fact, she just slept deeply last night. If Kendrick really did that to her, she couldn't have not woken up. But she couldn't help but confirm again that her thin strap nightgown was intact and her body didn't feel any discomfort."By the way, what is that piece of clothing placed in the entrance hall?" Kendrick asked.Annabelle just remembered about Gemma and Marvin."What Marvin brought.""Did he find you again?" Kendrick frowned unhappily, feeling a s
At ten o'clock that night, Coastline Avenue.This was a popular racing spot, and as soon as night fell, racing enthusiasts gathered here.Annabelle sat in a discreet black Mercedes sedan by the roadside, looking towards the starting point of the racetrack.The car engine roared, deafeningly loud, as the obnoxious high-pitched music stimulated her eardrums. There were also those excessively excited men and women, some screaming loudly, while others engaged in passionate and explicit kissing.The darkness covered those hidden actions and transactions, and also magnified their desires infinitely.Annabelle raised the car window, shutting out the outside noise, and rubbed her temples with a headache.She didn't want to come, but this confrontation ultimately started because of her.And the racing activity, filled with danger, made it impossible for Annabelle to peacefully read at home.After much hesitation, she dialed her brother Raphael's phone number.She didn't know exactly where Kend
Annabelle hesitated for a moment, then opened the car door.Since we have already come, we might as well go and take a closer look. Otherwise, staying in the car doesn't feel secure.She wore a mask and a baseball cap, following Raphael through the bustling crowd, and arrived at the front position. Separated by a soft barrier, she looked towards the middle of the racetrack."Kendrick's car didn't look very good, is it still working?"Annabelle didn't understand cars, she just judged by their appearance. She thought that the GTR looked far less impressive compared to Marvin's Bugatti Veyron.Raphael laughed and said, "My brother-in-law's car is modified. You can't just judge by its appearance. If you open the hood and take a look, it might cost more than a Bugatti Veyron for a complete set."After hearing Raphael's words, Annabelle felt a little relieved. It seems that Kendrick didn't act recklessly, but rather had some skills."Would that be dangerous?"Raphael tugged at the corner of
Seraphina understood exactly what Dereon meant—he was suggesting she sleep with the Young Master.But would sleeping with him really make him love her more?Seraphina knew very well: the reason the Young Master still had some affection for her was precisely because she knew her place and respected boundaries.She didn’t want to do anything that might make him hate her.Looking out the cabin window, Seraphina said calmly, “If the Young Master wanted me, of course I’d be willing… but I’m not going to take the initiative to do something so unnecessary.”“How is it unnecessary?!”Dereon slapped his thigh in frustration. Blood was still trickling down his forehead, running past his brow and onto his nose, making him look a little frightening. But his expression was that of a sleazy pimp, and Seraphina found it laughable.“You don’t have to convince me,” she said. “I have my own thoughts on this.”“Seraphina, you don’t understand men,” Dereon lowered his voice. “If you can hold on to the Yo
Ryan said, “That wasn’t the best opportunity just now.”“Why not?”Ryan rubbed his temples in exhaustion. “Can you use your brain before asking questions?”Seraphina quickly jumped in, “Dereon, didn’t you see that Gauge was also there?”“So what if Gauge was there?” Dereon retorted. “That kid clearly can’t fight.”Seraphina patiently explained.First, the Young Master didn’t hide his movements on this trip to South City. Running into Kendrick here was purely by chance.They weren’t prepared. Acting rashly could have led to failure.Even if they succeeded, since their movements weren’t concealed, it would be easy for the Gregory family to trace the incident back to them. And that old man from the Gregory family is no pushover.Second, Gauge was present. He’s friends with both Kendrick and Annabelle. There’s no way he’d stand by and do nothing.If Gauge got dragged into the mess, the Young Master would be making an enemy out of the Murphy family for no reason.The the Whitney Group is j
A private jet bound for Elfhedge took off smoothly from the South City airport.Inside the cabin, Annabelle was lying in a luxurious bedroom.Ryan stepped out of the room and said to Seraphina, who was standing outside the door, “She was poisoned by a type of floral toxin. It causes hallucinations and unconsciousness. She's fine now. Go get a clean set of clothes for her. I’ll help her change.”“It’s already prepared,” Seraphina’s gaze flickered slightly. She tightened her grip on the clothes in her hand and lowered her head. “Young Master, let me do it. This dress is a bit tricky to put on…”Ryan glanced at the dress in her hands, then looked deeply into her eyes. After a moment, he let out a bitter laugh. “Alright… if Anna knew I changed her clothes, she’d probably hate me even more.”Seraphina said nothing. Once Ryan stepped aside, she walked in with her head lowered.She carefully helped Annabelle out of her soiled clothes and put on the dress she had brought with her for the trip
Anna shook her head and smiled. “Nothing really. Let me do the cleaning—you’re definitely not as meticulous as I am. You go wait outside.”“No need…”“Go on, I’ll take care of it.”Annabelle was firm and took the duster from Gauge’s hand.But Gauge didn’t leave. How could he let a girl do the work while he waited outside enjoying the breeze?So the two of them cleaned together.While cleaning the room, Annabelle felt oddly emotional. Her mind was flooded with thoughts.Who was the woman who had once lived here? What kind of story did she have? What kind of mood had she been in when she left the village to live in solitude by the sea?As she wiped the mirror on the vanity, she could almost picture a woman sitting there, grooming herself in days long past.She must have been someone melancholic, yet strong-willed.A sudden wave of sadness welled up from deep within Annabelle’s heart.She couldn’t help but laugh at herself. Am I too empathetic? Why else would she feel so much for a compl
“Let’s go,” Gauge called out to her.Annabelle snapped out of her thoughts and walked toward the small wooden cabin.Gauge pointed to a patch of land behind the cabin and said that it used to be a small garden. There had once been a large tree with a wide canopy, and his father had installed a swing on one of its sturdy horizontal branches.Back then, his father often sat alone inside the cabin, sipping a couple of drinks.Meanwhile, Gauge would sit outside on the swing, watching the sea and listening to music.Looking at the now overgrown garden, Gauge showed a hint of melancholy.“Unfortunately, the big tree was cut down later, and since no one took care of the garden, it fell into disrepair. When my dad came here last year, he said he regretted not being able to maintain it.”Annabelle listened quietly. It seemed Murphy's father had deeply cared about whoever used to live here.Gauge had said before that he wasn’t sure if the person was a man or a woman—he just guessed it was a wom
Annabelle transformed visibly from a sweet little bunny into a puffed-up pufferfish, cheeks bulging with frustration.She got up to leave, but Kendrick pulled her back into his arms. He poked her puffed cheeks and chuckled,"You're really that scared someone’s going to steal me away?""If you could be stolen that easily, then you’re not worth liking."Annabelle wasn’t insecure to the point where a single text message from Kendrick would make her suspicious.But it was late, and the sudden calls and texts clearly meant something was going on.Still… she had to admit, she was just a tiny bit jealous."You jealous of Jaime too? I was on the phone with him," Kendrick laughed as he handed over his phone so she could see the call log.Annabelle glanced at it—sure enough, the call happened while she was playing the guitar. The corners of her lips twitched upward, but she still insisted stubbornly,"I said I was just casually asking."Kendrick then pulled up their group chat—the one with Jaim
Kendrick’s kiss was too passionate—so passionate it was suffocating, instantly awakening every cell in Annabelle’s body.His kiss was also too forceful—so forceful that Annabelle forgot to resist, and didn't want to resist.Because when Kendrick desired her so intensely, she too was equally, fiercely craving him.It suddenly dawned on her—she truly, deeply liked this man above her. She liked his scent, liked his voice, even liked the beads of sweat trickling down his spine.When did she fall this hard?Maybe it started back when they were ambushed and narrowly escaped death… when they lived in the hospital together… when she risked falling just to climb over the balcony and see him.When she brought herself to his bed, faced her feelings for the first time, and accepted him both emotionally and physically—she had already fallen.As for her heart… it had been open to him long before that.Maybe it started with his first kiss. From that moment, her heart had already begun to waver—she j
After his cold shower, Kendrick returned to the room and climbed into bed, but he still felt a bit restless.He gazed at the little woman for a while. She looked exhausted.Not wanting to wake her, he gently pulled her nightdress down and tucked the blanket securely around her.Then he turned around, facing away from her, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.But in the twenty-something-degree room, Annabelle, now wrapped like a little cocoon, soon got uncomfortable and kicked the blanket off again.Not only that—she rolled over and draped her arm around Kendrick’s waist, hugging him from behind.Maybe because Kendrick’s body was still slightly cool from the cold shower, Annabelle loved the chilly "big body pillow" and even pressed her warm little face against his back.While tightly hugging her “old fox,” she continued her dream, still playing chess with the god of dreams.Kendrick let out a long sigh and gently held the hand around his waist, playfully tickling her palm.She didn’t w
Kendrick chuckled helplessly. “She really doesn’t use her phone much, so there’s no need to worry about her finding out on her own.”He’d seen Anna’s phone interface before—it was mostly filled with practical apps like dictionaries and period trackers. The usual social media apps? She had tucked them all away in a folder labeled "Rarely Used."Thinking of his quirky little wife, Kendrick’s mood lightened significantly.Of course, he knew that in this internet era, Anna might eventually come across the gossip herself. That’s why he hoped, by the time she did, he would have already taken care of everything.Then, when she found out, she’d know exactly where the "arrow" came from—and see clearly what became of the person who fired it.That way, she wouldn’t feel too anxious or wronged. At most, she’d just complain about how shameless the rumor-spreader was.It was the best way Kendrick could think of to minimize the harm.“Alright. I promise,” Gauge said solemnly.“Then that’s all,” Kend