Chapter 5 5

Just as Annabelle was about to instinctively pull her hand out of Adrian's grip, she realized his strength was too much for her.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free.

When the maid brought the milk, Adrian insisted she finish two full cups of it. Then, without a word, he draped a black cloak over her shoulders.

It was these small, deliberate actions that disrupted Annabelle's fear and tangled thoughts. Adrian turned to her, his tone firm but not unkind.

"After you've seen your family, a doctor will check your health. You need to take care of yourself and make sure you're well." Annabelle nodded quietly.

"Okay."

She told herself she had to endure. There was no other choice.

While Annabelle sat there, staring blankly at the fruit on the table, Adrian continued to watch her, his gaze intense, as if studying every line of her face.

Being stared at made her uncomfortable, but all she could do was endure and pretend not to notice.

Then, his phone rang, and the look in his eyes shifted instantly.

He answered the call, spoke briefly, and hung up. His expression sharpened as he turned back to Annabelle.

"Stay here and wait for me to come back. If you try to run again... it won't be as simple as before. I'll make sure you can't escape, and you'll have no choice but to stay obediently in bed. And if anyone comes, I'll handle everything. No one will bully you."

He naturally remembered Maximus Cromwell's previous counterattack on Anthony Sullivan.

No matter who the other party was, Adrian would never let anyone who dared to bully his people get away with it.

Annabelle's heart trembled.

She nodded vaguely, knowing that after the incident with Maximus Cromwell, she had no choice but to be extra cautious.

Adrian left abruptly, clearly due to the phone call. Something must have happened.

As she watched his departing figure, Annabelle finally let out a sigh of relief.

His presence was utterly oppressive, making it hard to breathe. Her mind was still a mess.

She couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like when she met her father later. What would happen if she couldn't escape?

If she had to stay here forever? Her future felt completely uncertain.

The bodyguard approached cautiously, keeping his head low, not daring to look at her too much.

They had been instructed not to stare.

"Miss Sullivan, Housekeeper Cole has brought them to the door." Annabelle's hands clenched tightly.

She replied quietly, "Alright." What was meant to come, she would have to face.

Anthony Sullivan appeared, handsome and gentlemanly, with his gold-rimmed glasses.

Beside him was Cleo, dressed elegantly and exuding wealth.

Behind them stood Aria, Annabelle's half-sister-same father, different mother.

Annabelle's heart churned with mixed emotions.

Just three months ago, Aria had been studying abroad but was summoned back home by their father.

She had thought something terrible had happened, so she rushed back.

But she never could have imagined that everything would change so drastically.

In the past, her father had told her that her mother had died in a car accident.

He claimed her mother's body had been cremated and buried.

But when Aria returned, her father introduced his new wife, Cleo, and Aria, who was only a month younger than Annabelle.

It felt like a bolt from the blue, shattering the happy family she had always believed in.

Her father had built a new family, leaving Annabelle to wonder-what about her? What about her mother?

Every piece of furniture in the house had been replaced.

Everything that reminded her of her mother had been thrown away.

Even her room wasn't hers anymore-it was Aria's.

Their father had said Aria was weak and needed the better room to recuperate. All the servants had been driven out too.

The home she once knew was gone.

She had learned the truth from Aunt Tanya, their old housekeeper who had since moved on. Her father had married Cleo and brought Aria into their home the day after her mother's funeral. The revelation hit her like a punch to the gut.

Furious, she confronted her father in a heated argument, and without a second thought, she stormed out of the house, leaving everything behind.

Her life spiraled quickly after that. Her bank cards were frozen, and her stepmother coldly reminded her that, as an adult, she no longer deserved the family's support. Her tuition payments were cut off, forcing her to abandon her studies abroad. Penniless and alone, she took on a part-time translation job and rented a tiny room, scraping by day after day.

Then, out of nowhere, her father appeared yesterday. He looked worn and fragile, his voice trembling as he confessed his regrets. He begged her to come home, claiming he was sick and needed her by his side. For a moment, her heart wavered-but she refused. Yet, he persisted. He needed her to step in for him in a critical business negotiation. Too ill to attend himself, he insisted she represent the Su family company. If he backed out now, the deal could collapse, and with it, the company's future.

As he spoke, he coughed uncontrollably, his face pale and drawn. He stressed how much was at stake-how the company could face ruin if this deal fell through. Reluctantly, she agreed. After all, even a venomous tiger wouldn't harm its own cub. Surely her father wouldn't either.

But now, standing before Anthony Sullivan, her father,Annabelle felt her chest tighten. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Anthony's face broke into an awkward, ingratiating smile.

"Annabelle, congratulations!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with forced enthusiasm.

Cleo grabbed her hand, her smile wide but hollow. "

Annabelle , my dear! You're so lucky!" Her words dripped with false warmth, her eyes betraying her true feelings.

Cleo had never imagined this girl-driven out and left to fend for herself-would rise like a phoenix and catch the attention of someone like Adrian Prescott.

She had convinced Anthony to "sell"Annabelle to Maximus Cromwell , hoping to salvage some of their losses. After all, the Cromwells had invested heavily in her.

Aria stood silently, her head bowed, resentment simmering beneath the surface. Why was Annabelle always so lucky? Even as an outcast, she managed to turn her life around.

Annabelle stared at them, disbelief and anger coursing through her. Congratulations? Lucky? What were they even talking about? Did they have no shame?

Butler Cole watched the scene with quiet disdain but held his tongue.

This was Annabelle's battle to fight.

Annabelle yanked her hand from Cleo 's grip, her face flushed with fury.

"Congratulate me for what? For my father selling me to Maximus Cromwell ? For being humiliated and used? For-" Her voice broke, the words catching in her throat.

Anthony's expression turned pleading.

"Annabelle , I know I've wronged you, but you have to believe me-I had no choice."

Cleo forced another smile, her tone dripping with false sympathy. "

Annabelle , your father had no other option. If he didn't do this, we'd lose everything. You're so kind-hearted-you wouldn't let your family suffer, would you?"

Annabelle's chest tightened, her rage boiling over. "What family? You only call me family when you need something! If this is what family means, I want no part of it."

Her last shred of hope for her father crumbled. She should have known better. For the sake of his new family, he would sacrifice her without a second thought.