Chapter 24
Howard Lowell nodded in satisfaction.
He thought Anna Ross was referring to Adrian Sinclair's restrained behavior today.
He lit a cigarette.
His cunning eyes narrowed through the haze of smoke.
"You will stay by his side from now on."
"Monitor his every move."
He blew out a smoke ring.
"Of course."
"If you can win him over."
"That would be perfect."
It would make his plans much easier to execute.
Anna felt a wave of disgust at his words.
She wanted to argue back.
But her mother held her hands tightly.
Vivian Lowell shook her head slightly.
Warning her not to act impulsively.
Anna sighed helplessly.
"Adrian Sinclair would never trust me."
"I am your person."
"How could he possibly let me know his affairs?"
"This is something I cannot do."
Howard's face darkened instantly.
He stood up abruptly.
Spat on the floor.
"Vivian Lowell!"
"Look at your wonderful daughter!"
"You are useless!"
"She is even more useless than you!"
"How dare she defy me!"
Vivian watched fearfully as he approached.
She tried her best to shield her daughter behind her.
"Anna is just worried."
"She doesn't mean to defy you."
Anna's heart ached seeing her mother humiliated.
Her eyes reddened slightly.
Howard shoved Vivian aside.
He glared at Anna with a sinister warning.
"Your lives are in my hands."
"You have no choice."
"You must do as I say."
"Or you can both get out of this house."
He shot a cold glare at Vivian.
Kicked the coffee table.
Then turned and went upstairs.
Vivian closed her eyes.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She pulled her dazed daughter close.
"Anna."
"Please listen to him this time."
"Just do as he says, okay?"
Anna didn't understand why her mother insisted on staying.
But her mother was her closest family.
She couldn't lose her.
Her mind was in turmoil.
She held her mother's hand tightly.
"Mom..."
Vivian nearly broke down sobbing.
She blamed herself for being incompetent.
For making her daughter suffer.
But she quickly composed herself.
"Anna."
"Promise Mom, okay?"
"Or I will kneel down and beg you."
Seeing her about to kneel.
Anna quickly pulled her up.
Her heart filled with sorrow.
She had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"I will listen to you."
"Mom."
Vivian looked at her daughter gratefully.
"Anna."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for understanding Mom."
She hated herself for not being able to protect her daughter.
But she had no other choice.
Anna wiped her mother's tears away.
"Mom."
"Don't worry."
"I won't let anyone hurt you."
A determined glint flashed in her eyes.
She silently vowed to take her mother away from here.
To never let anyone oppress them again.
After Vivian fell asleep.
Anna dragged her exhausted body back to her room.
She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
She remembered Adrian's bloodshot eyes.
The resentment and anger in his gaze.
Anna smiled bitterly.
After all this time, he still hadn't let go.
Perhaps she had hurt him too deeply back then.
That was why he hated her so much.
But maybe it was for the best.
He wouldn't come looking for her for a while.