Anthony squinted his dark eyes that screamed danger. Anne was so scared that she took a step back. Her feet were already stepping out of the living room into the balcony. "Then what exactly do you want me to do? Nothing pleases you. You are being difficult!"What did he want her to do?Anthony only wanted her to be malleable like a puppet and nothing else! They could hear the door opening behind them. Kathryn, who was here to deliver lunch, was shocked to see the scene, especially when the atmosphere was tense. "I'm sorry, Mr. Marwood, I did not know that you were here," Kathryn said. "Do we have enough food?" Anthony asked, but his eyes were still locked on Anne. "Yes, we do. I always fill to the brim," Kathryn said. "Put it down, and leave now." "Yes." Kathryn put the things down and left immediately. Anthony took one cold look at Anne and then went to the bathroom to clean his hands. Anne was a shrewd person. She opened the lunchboxes while Anthony went away.
If she wanted to live comfortably within the beast's claws, she had to play along. "Will you go to the office later?" she asked."Yes.""Will you come here tonight?" Anne asked. She looked into Anthony's dark eyes, pursed her lips, and said, "I am bored alone.""So you are bored being cuffed?"Tommy was following Anthony. He did nothing these two days except keep him on the watch. After all, Lucas and Nigel were onto other clues.He still felt that the most probable person was Anthony. Based on his understanding of Anthony, he knew that he would not let her go that easily. This was such big news. How would he be able to sit still?Anthony's car suddenly left the office, and that caught Tommy's attention. He followed. The car did not go to The Curve, nor did it go anywhere that he was familiar with. He followed tightly but kept at a pretty far distance. The cars in front of him at the traffic light were moving a little too slowly that he almost lost sight of him. "Wh
Their glasses clicked, and a smug smile appeared on both of their faces.As she was sipping on her wine, Dorothy noticed Nigel hurrying toward the garage. "Nigel, are you going out?"She ran over as well, and Bianca stood up. Her eyes narrowed coldly, wondering if her father had obtained any lead."Anne is back!" Nigel said excitedly."What? Have you gone mad because you have been too depressed?" Dorothy studied his face worriedly."No. She called me and told me that she's just arrived home. I am going there now." Nigel got into his car and drove off.Bianca did not hear what they said but noticed that Dorothy remained frozen after he was gone and went over. "Is there a lead on where Anne is again? It's not the first time. Dead people don't just come back to life.""Your dad said... Anne called him, telling him that she was home. What on earth is going on?""What?" Bianca scowled.The door was open when Nigel arrived at the house. He went inside to find Anne sitting on the cou
Bianca returned home and threw the branded handbag in her hand across the room.Dorothy went and helped to pick the handbag up. "Don't get upset. It's not worth it.""Are you not upset? Anne didn't die! She is alive!""I saw that." Dorothy, too, was trembling in a fury. "Do you really believe that she was abducted?"Bianca scowled. "Why do you insist on believing she was sneaking around with a guy?""Why else would she look unharmed? There's no harm in thinking of all possibilities.""Are you saying that she was with Anthony?" Bianca asked darkly."Not really. I just don't think that this whole thing is this simple."Bianca fell onto the couch angrily in disappointment. Anne remained a concern to her, and she had no clue when she would be free of Anne.The police paid Anne a visit to ask a few questions before leaving.Nigel was the one who called the police.There had to be an outcome after Anne was abducted and after all the effort spent looking for her.Anne described th
Anne knew that it was no accident and everything happened for a reason, which was why she had to cut all ties with Lucas.She could not tell anyone what had truly happened because she did not have the courage to do so. Nothing would change even if the others found out because no one could overpower Anthony. In the end, she would only come to hurt herself."Dad, I will settle things between Lucas and me.""Are you really going to give up on a man that great? I thought you liked him?" Nigel tried to convince her that it was best for her to get married since Anthony had his eyes on her.Anne lowered her gaze. "Everyone has to do something they don't want to at some point in their lives..."Nigel knew the feeling. He was once in a difficult position as well, causing him to abandon Sarah and their daughter, whom he did not know about.His decision had twisted their paths in life, and he had lost countless nights of sleep whenever he recalled what Sarah told him about the way Anne was
Lucas was waiting for her in his office.When they finally saw one another, it felt like a lifetime had passed."I'm sorry for worrying you, but I'm fine now," Anne said.Lucas approached her to give her a hug.Anne panicked and took a few steps back. "Let's not contact one another ever again. Nothing is ever going to happen between us."He halted in shock. "Why?""We are not right for each other.""It's too odd a reason to turn me down." Lucas refused to accept."I just don't think I should get married after giving it some thought. I'm sorry, but that's all..." Anne turned to leave, and Lucas went to stand in her way."Why, exactly? Make yourself clear!""I realized that Anthony was the first one I thought of when I was in danger. I realized that I felt something different for him. I can't be with you while I have feelings for him." Anne was horrified by the idea that Lucas would mention the children because everything would be over if he did. "I'm sorry, Mr. Newman. I've wr
Anthony stopped and turned around as he stared her down intimidatingly. "Lucas Newman is standing ten meters away from us. Have you figured out what you are going to do? Hm?"Anne stood frozen, trying to catch her breath as she stared into the distance.She knew that Anthony was telling the truth, and she had not forgotten about what he had said on the phone before.Lucas would not give up based on the words she said inside the school, and he would come looking for an explanation.Anthony had anticipated that.Anne took a deep breath and walked closer before stopping right in front of Anthony. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his, all the while moving as gently as though she was truly kissing the man she loved.Anthony wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss.In the distance, Lucas stared at the two as he clenched his fists. His chest felt heavy and as the look in his eyes slowly turned from shock to indifference
"I'll wait for you in the Royal Mansion, then.""Sure. Don't wait up."Bianca left the office wondering if what she said would raise any suspicion within Anthony.If Anne was not with Anthony, it was very likely that she was with another man, and once Anthony saw Anne for who she really was, he would no longer be interested in her.Anthony did not seem to care at all when Anne was abducted.Bianca had mentioned long ago that Anne was merely Anthony's plaything, and she meant nothing to him.As soon as Bianca left, Anthony made a phone call to command his men. "Go to the area she lived in to see if she's there!"He hung up and narrowed his eyes dangerously as he thought to himself, 'Anne Vallois, you better stay in line!'Anthony's bodyguard snuck into the residential building and went to the fifth floor to knock on Anne's door. There was no response, and when he tried to knock harder, there was still nothing but silence.The bodyguard took out a pocket knife to pick the lock.
At first, Corentin was stunned. Then, he said, "Who have I killed? Ash, you've misunderstood. I've changed now. It's true. Hurry up and come down. The ravioli is getting cold.""Don't come over! I'll jump if you get any closer!" Ashlynn shouted hysterically."Alright, alright. I won't go over!" Corentin did not dare to take another step further. "Ash, I'm telling the truth. I didn't kill anybody. Come down, and I'll explain to you. It's all a misunderstanding.""Actually, I've felt it was strange since the beginning. It's just that Anne's reassurance dispelled my suspicion about you." Tears filled Ashlynn's eyes, but they did not stream down her face. She looked at Corentin and said, "But I know everything now. I don't have evidence, but you are Salvatore Yeager. At first, I thought you would change for the sake of the child. In the end… In the end, you didn't even spare the child's grandparents. Salvatore, are you even human? Why would a monster like you exist?""Ash, come down, a
After Ashlynn was discharged from the hospital, she called Anne when she was alone in the room."Anne, are you alright? I heard you were taken by Tommy and were later saved by Anthony.""Mmhmm. I'm fine. I've gotten home safely.""That's wonderful," said Ashlynn.Anne could tell that Ashlynn was not feeling alright, so she asked, "What's the matter? Are you not in a good mood?""I've found out about my parent's passing," said Ashlynn.Anne was stunned. She found out? "I'm sorry, Ashlynn. I've kept it hidden from you.""It's fine. I know you're being considerate to me and the child." Ashlynn took a pause before asking again, "Was Tommy killed by you guys?""No. He fled the cruise ship back then. When we found him, he was already killed by somebody. His body was pulled up from the sea.""Corentin was there as well, wasn't he?""That's right. Did he tell you that?"Ashlynn's eyes looked emotionless. "Have you guys ever suspected Corentin?"Anne immediately got so nervous tha
Corentin hugged Ashlynn. "I heard that Tommy's dead, so your parents' murders have been avenged. Now, they can only rest in peace. Calm down."Ashlynn collapsed in his arms as she cried. Then, she started to feel waves of throbbing pain in her belly, and her face turned pale.Corentin noticed something was not right with her, so he hurriedly roared at the driver, "Go to the hospital now!""Hurry up!" Jeremy urged. He held Ashlynn's hand and realized that it was freezing. "Ashlynn, you have to be alright. You still have me! Hang in there, Ashlynn!"Ashlynn looked at him with tears in her eyes. She was extremely saddened. She could not understand why things would end up like that. Did she not deserve to have parents?When Ashlynn woke up, she was already at the hospital.She subconsciously touched her belly, but Corentin grabbed her hand. "You're showing signs of miscarriage, so you need to recuperate."Ashlynn scanned around the room and asked, "Where's Jeremy?""He's outside. H
"I know…" Jeremy looked up and saw Ashlynn standing at the entrance. He was so shocked, and he immediately stood up. "Why…are you here?"Ashlynn stood there dazed. She looked at Jeremy, then the person who spoke earlier. "What do you guys mean when you talk about my parents' soul resting in peace?""Nothing. We were talking about someone else."Ashlynn could tell from their faces that they were clearly panicking. She was not deaf. She heard what they said clearly.Her face turned pale, and she immediately searched for her phone. She did not have it on her, so she rushed to the car."Ashlynn!" Jeremy ran after her and stopped her. "What are you doing?""I'm going to call Mom and Dad.""They are traveling. Don't disturb them."Ashlynn looked at him. "Jeremy, tell me honestly, why aren't Mom and Dad coming home? Don't lie! I have always felt it was strange. Why haven't they come home when I'm already so far along? Something is wrong, isn't it? Did something…really happen to them?"
Corentin came forward and asked, "Anne, are you alright?"Anne nodded."You don't look too well. What happened?""Tommy's dead," said Anthony."Have you found the cure?" asked Corentin.Anne shook her head."Unfortunately, the infected people would have to endure it a little longer."Anne suddenly thought of something, and she immediately pushed Anthony away. "Don't touch me."Only then, Corentin noticed a small patch of ulcer below Anne's cheek. "Anne, did Tommy drug you?"Anthony frowned. "I don't mind.""I do. Both of us would not be able to have contact with the children, and they will worry." Anne rejected his touch.Anthony had been touching her the whole time. It was unclear if he had been infected. Anne was very worried."It wouldn't make a difference now. If anything, I would have already been infected just now," said Anthony.Anne still refused to listen. "That's not necessary. Just don't touch me. We still don't know where the cure is, and Tommy died so suddenly
Just as Tommy finished his sentence, he heard a commotion behind him.Ivan was fighting with the assassin, and every strike he delivered was fatal. If Ivan were not skilled in combat, the professional assassin could have killed him in just a few moves.Tommy realized something was up, so he immediately wanted to grab Anne.While Anne retreated, she was pulled into a person's arms."Let me go!" She thought it was a man she did not know, so she hated to be touched like that."Anne."Anne was stunned. She looked up and felt happy to see a familiar face. "Anthony?""It's me."Tommy was infuriated as he watched the two of them looking lovingly at each other, Tommy became infuriated."As expected, Anne, you did leave a trace for Anthony." Tommy's expression darkened."You're the one who took me too lightly," said Anne.It was because she had always wanted to run away from Anthony in the past that he had the wrong impression, was it not? "So what? You want to kill me? With just t
Anne was drugged at that moment, and there were surveillance cameras all over the cruise ship. She saw a surveillance camera over her head when she was returning to the room. Therefore, it was impossible for her to sneak around in the middle of the night if she wanted to.Tommy had long been guarding against her.However, Anne still left Anthony some clues before she left him. She believed Anthony would find her very soon, but she never expected that he would do it so quickly.At daybreak, she seemed to have heard the rumbling of a helicopter above her. Then, the door swung open. Before Anne could make sense of the situation, she was picked up. "How did you get the message out?" Tommy said. He even searched Anne's body after that."Ah! Are you crazy? I don't have a phone!""Don't think Anthony can take you away just because he's here. If I'm going to hell, I'm dragging you along with me! Let's go!""You…" Anne had no strength, so she was dragged out of the room by him.He thre
Anne ignored him.If she were not afraid that Tommy would pull some tricks behind her back, she would have slept with her back facing him."Do you remember running to my home and sleeping on my bed when Anthony bullied you as a child?"I don't.""I know you do. I truly wanted to help you back then," said Tommy.Anne knew he was speaking the truth, so she did not refute him. She stared at the ceiling and said, "I think the past Tommy died a long time ago."Tommy's expression was mixed, and he asked, "Are we not able to go back anymore?""Instead of asking me this now, you should've gone to hell after you killed the people I cared about. No matter how unhappy your childhood was, you can't hurt others for your own pleasure." At that moment, Anne did not pity Tommy at all."Look at you on your high horse. Has Anthony not killed anybody before? Has Corentin not killed anybody before? Why did you forgive them for killing people but not me? Just because the victims were your friends?
Seeing that she did not move at all, Tommy said, "It won't be good for you if you don't eat."Anne thought that he made sense. If she did not eat, she would go hungry and would have no strength later. How could she fight with Tommy then? It was because she refused to eat and only drank water while hiding in her room that Tommy drugged her.After a while, she seemed to have figured it out.She picked up the fork and started eating the fish.Tommy saw her eating and asked, "How was it?""Could it be that you're the one who made it?" Anne looked up and shot a glance at him lazily."That's correct. I am the one who made it."Anne thought, 'Is this something worthy to be praised?'"It must be tough for you to do such a thing on top of everything else.""If you're worried that it's tough for me, why don't you make it with me?""I don't know how to cook.""How great. You just have to enjoy being served." Tommy clicked his tongue, but he was looking at Anne with a doting gaze.Anne