Chapter 279
Anna's fingers trembled.
She responded quickly. "Alright. I'll be right there."
After hanging up, she hurriedly put on her shoes.
She hailed a taxi and rushed to the hotel.
She didn't need to guess.
It had to be another problem caused by Howard.
That's why he was so eager to summon her.
Her mother was in his grasp.
She had become his most convenient tool.
She arrived at the hotel room door.
She knocked urgently.
The door opened quickly.
Vivian appeared behind it.
A gentle smile graced her face. "Anna, you're here. Come in. Your father has something to discuss."
She took Anna's hand and led her inside.
She brought her directly to Howard.
The man was sitting on the sofa, smoking.
Seeing her arrive, he motioned for her to sit down.
The thick smoke made Anna cough repeatedly.
She covered her mouth and nose. "Could you please not smoke? The smell is awful."
Vivian sat beside her.
She gently pressed Anna's hand.
She shook her head, signaling her not to say more.
Angering Howard would bring trouble for both of them.
Compared to their past life, this was already better.
Anna understood their situation.
She turned her head away and fell silent.
But Howard continued smoking quietly.
This made her increasingly uneasy.
This was likely the calm before the storm.
She watched as Howard stubbed out his cigarette.
She instinctively moved to protect her mother.
She spoke nervously. "I did my best with that matter. But the outcome was beyond my control."
If he attacked now, she would fight him with everything she had.
The room fell into brief silence.
After a moment, Howard suddenly burst into laughter.
He looked at her cheerfully. "This was a great success. The old man has agreed to let me into the headquarters."
"I should thank you. You did a beautiful job!"
Vivian gently held her hand.
She smiled softly. "Anna, you did very well this time."
Anna was still in shock.
She stared blankly at her mother.
Judging by their delighted expressions, it was probably true.
But...
She couldn't understand it.
Adrian's attitude before clearly showed he wouldn't help.
Especially since he had overheard that phone call.
What exactly happened?
As she was lost in thought, Howard stood up.
He sat down next to the mother and daughter.
He sat close to her.
A meaningful smile never left his face.
"Anna, be honest with me. Have you already won over that Adrian kid?" His eyes gleamed shrewdly. His smile was full of calculation.
She didn't answer immediately.
She just lowered her head.
Vivian gently patted her hand.
She said softly, "Anna, you two talk. I'll go wash some fruit."
She made to leave.
But Anna didn't want to let go.
She didn't want to be alone with Howard.
Yet Vivian still got up and left.
Only the two of them remained on the sofa.