Chapter 12: Chapter 12
1,112 words<html><head></head><body><p>Adrian Sinclair let out a cold laugh.</p> <p>His gaze was full of mockery as he looked at her.</p> <p>It was as if he was watching the biggest joke in the world.</p> <p>Anna Ross felt her face burn.</p> <p>His voice was just loud enough.</p> <p>It carried throughout the entire store.</p> <p>Every pair of eyes instantly focused on them.</p> <p>Anna felt like she was being publicly executed.</p> <p>Fortunately, Adrian had already released her hand.</p> <p>As long as she left this place.</p> <p>She would never have to endure these stares again.</p> <p>Adrian saw her silence.</p> <p>His brow lifted slightly.</p> <p>His tone grew even more vicious.</p> <p>"What?"</p> <p>"Did I hit a nerve?"</p> <p>"Is this your silent admission?"</p> <p>The store clerks began to whisper among themselves.</p> <p>Anna avoided their gazes, humiliated and angry.</p> <p>"What you choose to believe is your freedom."</p> <p>She didn't want to argue anymore.</p> <p>She didn't have the energy for it.</p> <p>Anna's indifference inexplicably annoyed Adrian.</p> <p>It was like punching cotton.</p> <p>The more she wanted to leave.</p> <p>The less he wanted to let her have her way.</p> <p>As Anna turned to go.</p> <p>A clicking sound came from behind her.</p> <p>Her steps froze.</p> <p>It was the sound of a camera.</p> <p>Anna's body trembled slightly.</p> <p>Her small hands clenched tightly into fists.</p> <p>Adrian saw her stop.</p> <p>A satisfied smile curled his lips.</p> <p>"What's wrong?"</p> <p>"You don't look so well."</p> <p>He was asking a question he already knew the answer to.</p> <p>Adrian walked over to her.</p> <p>He caught the fear on her face.</p> <p>His mood instantly improved.</p> <p>Anna looked up.</p> <p>She met his playful gaze.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_4 --> <p>Her small face flushed red with anger.</p> <p>"What will it take for you to just leave me alone!?"</p> <p>It was him who told her to disappear.</p> <p>She did it.</p> <p>This time wasn't intentional.</p> <p>Why wouldn't he let go?</p> <p>Adrian showed her the photo.</p> <p>He toyed with the phone in his hand.</p> <p>He snorted coldly.</p> <p>"What if I send these to Howard Lowell?"</p> <p>"Let him see what his stepdaughter is up to behind his back."</p> <p>"Do you think he'd thank me?"</p> <p>Anna's face instantly turned pale.</p> <p>All color drained from it.</p> <p>Adrian continued his attack.</p> <p>"If he knew you were obedient on the surface."</p> <p>"But a gold digger behind his back."</p> <p>"What do you think his reaction would be?"</p> <p>He smirked devilishly.</p> <p>He enjoyed seeing her defeated.</p> <p>Anna cursed inwardly.</p> <p>Howard must not find out about her escape plan.</p> <p>"What right do you have to take my picture?"</p> <p>"I have the right to demand you delete those photos."</p> <p>Her tone was flat.</p> <p>No emotion could be heard.</p> <p>Adrian saw her defiance.</p> <p>His eyes darkened.</p> <p>He raised his hand and pinched her chin.</p> <p>A sinister smile played on his lips.</p> <p>"Delete them for you?"</p> <p>"Fine."</p> <p>"Get on your knees and beg me."</p> <p>"Make me happy."</p> <p>"Maybe I'll consider it."</p> <p>A flicker of hope appeared in Anna's eyes.</p> <p>It died out instantly.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_2 --> <p>She knew it.</p> <p>Adrian would never kindly let her go.</p> <p>Adrian saw through her reaction.</p> <p>He increased the pressure of his grip.</p> <p>"Hmm?"</p> <p>Pain shot through her chin.</p> <p>Anna's small face scrunched up.</p> <p>She slapped his hand away.</p> <p>She countered calmly.</p> <p>"What does selling my father's gifts have to do with you?"</p> <p>"Please stop bothering me!"</p> <p>She tried her best to control her emotions.</p> <p>She didn't want to attract attention.</p> <p>Adrian was completely enraged.</p> <p>His furious eyes bore into her.</p> <p>He spoke icily.</p> <p>"Oh?"</p> <p>"So that's how it is."</p> <p>"Are you involved with Howard Lowell too?"</p> <p>Anna's expression turned ugly.</p> <p>Rage burned in her heart.</p> <p>How could he be so vile?</p> <p>More and more onlookers gathered around.</p> <p>They whispered to each other.</p> <p>Smiles on their faces.</p> <p>Watching her humiliation.</p> <p>Adrian nodded to himself.</p> <p>He put on a pitying expression.</p> <p>"Right."</p> <p>"It's not like it's your first time getting involved with a sugar daddy."</p> <p>Slap!</p> <p>A slap landed on his face.</p> <p>Her strength wasn't great.</p> <p>But it left his face stinging painfully.</p> <p>He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Anna.</p> <p>His face darkened like ink.</p> <p>Anna gave him a disappointed look.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_5 --> <p>She tried to walk past him.</p> <p>"Did I say you could leave?"</p> <p>Adrian's icy voice sounded behind her.</p> <p>He viciously pulled Anna back.</p> <p>His face gloomy, he dragged her back inside.</p> <p>Anna's heart jumped in fear.</p> <p>That direction led to the fitting room!</p> <p>What did he want to do!?</p> <p>She struggled desperately.</p> <p>"Let me go!"</p> <p>"Let go!"</p> <p>Adrian acted as if he didn't hear.</p> <p>He kicked open the fitting room door.</p> <p>It slammed open.</p> <p>Then slammed shut.</p> <p>The store clerks looked at each other.</p> <p>They all shook their heads.</p> <p>They could see Anna was being forced.</p> <p>But none dared to intervene.</p> <p>Adrian Sinclair's name could buy ten stores like this.</p> <p>They couldn't afford to offend him.</p> <p>Chloe Valentine was happily trying on clothes.</p> <p>She planned to have Adrian buy them all.</p> <p>To show off in front of her girlfriends.</p> <p>Hearing his voice.</p> <p>She hurriedly dressed and rushed out.</p> <p>But she didn't see him.</p> <p>She frowned.</p> <p>"Where's Mr. Sinclair?"</p> <p>No one answered.</p> <p>Seeing she was being ignored.</p> <p>Her voice grew more displeased.</p> <p>"I asked where Mr. Sinclair is!?"</p> <p>She definitely heard his voice earlier.</p> <p>He couldn't have just vanished.</p> <p>The clerks shook their heads.</p> <p>They pretended not to have seen what happened.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_4 --> <p>Chloe wasn't someone easy to deal with either.</p> <p>Best not to provoke her if possible.</p> <p>Chloe stamped her foot in anger.</p> <p>Her heart ached.</p> <p>Did he abandon her and leave first?</p> <p>She forgot about the new clothes.</p> <p>Grabbing her purse, she ran out to look for him.</p> <p>The sound of her footsteps faded away.</p> <p>Anna used all her strength to break free.</p> <p>But his strength was too great.</p> <p>She could clearly see the bulging veins on his hand.</p> <p>It was somewhat frightening.</p> <p>Adrian pinned her against the wall.</p> <p>His tall figure completely trapped her smaller one.</p> <p>She couldn't escape even if she wanted to.</p> <p>They were very close.</p> <p>In the narrow space, they could hear each other's breathing.</p> <p>The air was filled with his scent.</p> <p>Anna didn't know if she was angry or embarrassed.</p> <p>Her small face was unbearably red.</p> <p>Adrian gripped her chin.</p> <p>Forcing her to look up.</p> <p>"You've really grown some nerve."</p> <p>"Daring to hit me."</p> <p>"Quite a surprise."</p> <p>His tone rose at the end.</p> <p>He tilted his head.</p> <p>Touching the spot where she hit him.</p> <p>The overhead light shone down.</p> <p>Casting shadows under his eyes.</p> <p>But it couldn't hide the malice in them.</p> <p>Anna had calmed down.</p> <p>She was a little scared.</p> <p>She did hit him.</p> <p>But he provoked her first.</p> <p>Right.</p> <p>The photos!</p> <p>"What will it take for you to delete the photos?"</p> <p>Anna didn't understand.</p> <p>Why was Adrian so fixated on her?</p> <p>Was tormenting her his idea of fun?</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_1 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