Chapter 2
She spoke first.
"It's nothing serious."
"Cousin accidentally bumped into me."
"My dress got wet."
"That's why we were delayed."
Howard Lowell looked at Adrian Sinclair.
His eyes held suspicion.
"Oh?"
Anna Ross tightened her fingers.
Her dress was wrinkled from her grip.
Her heart raced nervously.
She wasn't sure if Adrian would cooperate.
He was always reckless.
And he hated her so much.
He might directly accuse her of seduction.
Then she and her mother would be kicked out of the Lowell family.
In the silence.
She heard Adrian chuckle softly.
"It was my carelessness."
"I'll have someone send a few new dresses to my cousin later."
"As an apology."
Howard felt it was a bit strange.
But he didn't think too deeply about it.
Anna took after her mother.
She was beautiful and alluring.
But his nephew had high standards.
He never had women around him.
He was recently dating a high society heiress.
How could he possibly be interested in this girl?
He didn't think further.
He smiled to smooth things over.
"We're all family."
"It's just a dress."
"We can buy another one later."
Anna breathed a sigh of relief.
She lowered her head to avoid his gaze.
She didn't dare look at Adrian.
The family dinner officially began.
Howard and Vivian were both remarried.
She entered the family while pregnant.
The Lowells cared about their reputation.
They didn't make a big fuss.
Adrian attended on behalf of Grandpa Lowell.
Anna sat beside her mother.
She ate quietly.
Adrian was right across from her.
Next to Howard.
She always felt his gaze on her.
It was terrifying.
She didn't even dare raise her head.
She only hoped the dinner would end soon.
Howard suddenly spoke with a smile.
"Anna."
"Don't be shy."
"Talk more with the relatives."
"Although you're not my biological daughter."
"I felt a connection with you the moment I saw you."
His tone was kind.
"Even after your mother gives birth to your brother."
"I won't treat you unfairly."
"I'll definitely treat you as my own."
Anna looked up.
Her spine stiff.
She forced an obedient smile.
"Thank you, Dad."
She didn't understand Howard's intention.
But she quickly figured it out.
Howard looked at Adrian.
"Adrian."
"Although you're from the Sinclair family."
"You're also the eldest brother in this family."
"You'll need to take care of your younger siblings in the future."
"After your cousin is born."
"I'll need you to help him take over the Lowell family business."
"We can't let outsiders take advantage."
The dinner atmosphere instantly became awkward.
His words were entrusting.
But they mocked Adrian as an outsider.
Even if he was in power now.
He would have to return the Lowell Group to his son eventually.
Adrian paused the knife in his hand.
His thumb rubbed his index finger.
No emotion showed on his face.
But Anna knew.
He was angry.
"Uncle is indeed as Grandpa said."
"Magnanimous and tolerant."
"It's truly rare to be so accepting of a stepdaughter."
He wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
He spoke with a smile.
"But Uncle has had no children for so long."
"The family finally has a younger generation."
"It's normal to be happy."
"If Aunt could add a considerate little darling."
"That would be a true blessing."
"If it's a little cousin."
"I will naturally nurture him well."
"With the same dedication Grandpa had for Uncle."
"To make him become exactly like Uncle."
These words sounded fine.
But they made Howard's face tremble with anger.
This damned brat.
Was still so sharp-tongued.
Indirectly mocking him for not being able to have children.
Now he only had a stepdaughter.
And cursing him to have a daughter.
Even saying that having a son would be useless.
He trembled with anger.
But couldn't find fault.
He forced a stiff smile.
"Thank you for your kind words, Adrian."
Anna couldn't help but want to laugh.
She held it back.
Adrian was the first debater on Stanford's debate team.
Outwardly gentle and aloof.
His mouth was cutting and vicious.
A casually spoken sentence.
Could stab someone right in the heart.
The guests saw the tense atmosphere.
They quickly tried to smooth things over.
"President Lowell is having a child in his later years."
"The young master must be intelligent."
"Speaking of which."
"Mr. Sinclair is also twenty-five."
"Grandpa Sinclair has been arranging blind dates recently."
"Any plans to marry?"
Adrian looked up.
He glanced at Anna unintentionally.
He casually adjusted his cuff.
"Perhaps soon."
"I'll invite Uncle's family to honor us with your presence at the wedding."
He smiled at Anna.
The curve of his lips held an inexplicable meaning.
"Cousin hasn't been back to New York for a long time, right?"
"You must come then."
"Let me play host."
His tone was gentle and noble.
Like polite conversation between relatives.
But Anna heard a hint of mischief.
She clenched her palms.
She responded stiffly.
"Okay, Cousin."
The family dinner continued.
是 harmonious and joyful.
But the atmosphere was uncomfortable.
After it ended.
Anna excused herself to return to the company.
She wanted to leave quickly.
Adrian suddenly spoke.
"Cousin is returning to the company."
"We're going the same way."
"Take my car."
Same way?
Anna didn't know what way that was.
She instinctively felt he was up to something again.
She declined politely.
"No need to trouble Cousin."
"I'll take a taxi."
Adrian stood with his back to everyone.
His tall frame blocked her.
His tone was gentle.
But his eyes held mockery.
"Of course it's the same way."
"Grandpa asked me to check on the branch's operations."
"I heard Cousin just joined the company."
"Please give me an introduction later."
Anna couldn't find words to refuse.
Howard was incompetent.
But he was Grandpa Lowell's only son.
The Lowell Group couldn't be handed to him.
He could only manage the San Francisco branch.
Adrian was the CEO of the Lowell Group.
Inspecting the branch was not a problem.
But she didn't want to have anything to do with him.
A flash of panic crossed Howard's eyes.
He coughed.
"Then Adrian can take Anna."
"Anna."
"Show your cousin around San Francisco."
He separated the two.
He gave Anna a meaningful look.
He took her aside under pretext.
His tone was cold.
"When Adrian inspects later."
"Keep a close eye on him."
"Don't say anything unnecessary."
"I'll arrange for someone to handle it."
"Understood?"
"That little bastard can't stand to see me do well."
"If he finds any leverage."
"You and your mother won't have it easy either."
Anna lowered her head.
She responded obediently.
"I understand."
"Dad."
Howard nodded with satisfaction.
He let her leave with Adrian.
The man held the car door open politely.
Every movement was noble and gentle.
Anna got in the car.
She was nervous inside.
Worried he would cause trouble again.
Adrian remained silent the whole way.
He drove properly to the company.
Anna breathed a sigh of relief.
She took him upstairs.
"Mr. Sinclair, please look around yourself."
"I have work to attend to."
"I won't keep you company."
"The vice president will bring the quarterly report later."
She turned to leave.
Her wrist was grabbed by the man.
Adrian pulled her into his arms.
He locked the meeting room door.
He gripped her chin.
He smiled faintly.
His thin lips curved with mockery.
"Your father asked you to accompany me."
"Abandoning me like this."
"Aren't you afraid you can't explain?"
Feeling the warmth of his palm.
Anna realized something was wrong.
"Are you crazy?"
"This is the company!"
Adrian curled his lips.
He increased his grip.
Pulling her closer.
"Why are you nervous?"
"Is there a problem with the company?"
"Or do you think it's less exciting than the restroom?"
He pressed her against the door.
His palm stroked her neck.
"That old fool Howard."
"Would love for you to have a connection with me."
"A bait delivered to my doorstep."
"Wouldn't it be disrespectful not to bite?"
Anna's pupils contracted.
The hand on her neck tightened.
Adrian forced her to look up.
He bit her lip.
His palm pressed her wrist.
Trapping her between his arms.
"You're insane..."
The taste of blood spread.
Anna frowned in pain.
She instinctively bit back at his cool thin lips.