Chapter 235
Anna Ross immediately shook her head.
That thought was too absurd.
She picked up her phone and opened Twitter.
She had just downloaded it a couple of days ago.
She wanted to check on the bloggers she used to follow.
She had always loved singing.
She used to follow a few indie singers.
After logging in, she noticed many bloggers had stopped updating.
She scrolled absently for a while.
It felt a bit boring.
She was about to click on an interesting trending topic.
The screen suddenly changed.
Vivian Lowell was calling.
Anna immediately sat up straight.
She answered after just two rings.
It was very quiet on the other end.
She softly said, "Mom."
Vivian's voice was warm and smiling. "Anna, are you off work? It's nothing important. I just suddenly missed you."
Anna's heart ached.
Her mother had been in New York for so long.
She had been staying in a hotel the entire time.
Anna couldn't visit her often either.
She walked to the window and opened it for some fresh air. "Mom, I took the day off today. I'm resting at home. Has he taken you out anywhere?"
The windowsill held a succulent bought by Sophia Roscente.
It was already lush and thriving.
She couldn't help but gently touch its leaves.
Vivian glanced toward the bathroom.
The sound of running water echoed.
She relaxed a little. "No, not really. We've been at the hotel these past two days. He meets friends occasionally and comes back very late. He doesn't have time for me."
Anna's hand stilled.
She looked out at the distant neon lights.
Her voice was firm. "Mom, once I save enough money, I will definitely take you away from here."
This marriage had been dead in name only for a long time.
Her mother was not happy.
"Anna, actually—"
"Who are you talking to?"
Howard Lowell's voice suddenly cut in.
It was full of malice.
Anna's fingers tightened sharply.
Vivian's voice was faint. "It's Anna."
A series of rustling noises followed.
It sounded like a struggle.
Soon, Howard snatched the phone. "Have you done what I told you to do?"
His voice was deafening.
Anna held the phone away from her ear in disgust. "Work has been busy recently. I haven't found the right opportunity to bring it up. But I will soon."
She had been threatened too many times.
She was surprisingly calm now.
It wasn't that there was no opportunity.
She just didn't dare to speak.
And she didn't know how to start.
Howard lit a cigarette.
He sneered. "Don't try any tricks. Do as you're told, or I'll make your life a living hell!"
The smoke made Vivian cough repeatedly.
The sound carried through the receiver.
Anna's heart clenched.
She responded coldly, "I know."
Howard shot a look of disgust at the woman beside him. "If you can't stand it, get out."
After Vivian left.
He suddenly let out a dark chuckle. "We're seeing the old man tomorrow. You come too. It's a good chance to introduce you."
See Grandpa Lowell?
Anna's fingers dug into the windowsill.
She gritted her teeth and agreed. "Fine."
Her agreement was quick.
But her heart was a mess of anxiety.
Tomorrow...
She could only hope everything would go smoothly.