Chapter 210
The company was vast and bustling with activity.
Yet without her presence, everything felt hollow and dull.
Anna Ross was about to return to her workstation when her phone rang.
It was Adrian Sinclair, demanding she come to his office immediately.
"Return to your position as my Executive Assistant."
He lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, his posture relaxed.
Anna's fingers trembled slightly, resistance welling up inside her.
These days away from him had finally allowed her to leave on time and breathe the air of freedom.
Noticing her silence, Adrian's tone turned cold. "You're unwilling?"
"I'll move back right away." She forced a smile, suppressing her emotions.
He said nothing more, lowering his head to review documents.
As Anna turned to leave, her phone rang from her bag—her mother was calling.
She answered hastily, accidentally hitting the speakerphone button.
"Anna, Mom's in New York!"
"Really!?" Her face instantly lit up, her voice cheerful. "Wait for me, I'll come get you!"
The man beside her watched her profile.
That vivid smile actually made him dizzy.
He hadn't seen her so happy in such a long time.
She grabbed her phone and made to run, but he pulled her back.
"Let go. I need to pick up my mom." She frowned, struggling.
Adrian tightened his grip, his tone flat. "I'll go with you."
"Unnecessary." She tried to pull her hand away, but he held on tighter.
She suddenly remembered a night many years ago.
A young man had once held her fingers, kissing them, saying he could never hold them enough.
Now these same hands offered only a cold restraint.
He leaned in closer, his gaze sharp. "Your uncle might be with her. Can you handle that alone?"
She fell silent immediately.
He took advantage, pulling her toward the elevator without room for refusal.
The station was swarming with people.
They stood at the exit, drawing countless sidelong glances.
Whispers floated past, all about them being a "perfect match" and "easy on the eyes."
Anna turned her face away, her ears burning.
Adrian, however, remained completely unruffled, as if accustomed to such attention.
"Anna!" Vivian Lowell waved, dragging her suitcase.
Anna rushed over joyfully, but then she spotted Howard Lowell beside her mother.
He had indeed come.
Howard completely ignored her, his eyes going straight to Adrian behind her.
A calculating glint flashed in his eyes.