Chapter 13: Chapter 13
1,122 words<html><head></head><body><p>Adrian Sinclair let out a cold laugh.</p> <p>His gaze swept over her with amusement.</p> <p>His Adam's apple bobbed.</p> <p>"You want me to calm down."</p> <p>"Then delete the photo."</p> <p>His grip tightened.</p> <p>Anna Ross's expression froze.</p> <p>She understood his meaning.</p> <p>A cold laugh echoed in her heart.</p> <p>He just wanted to humiliate her, didn't he?</p> <p>But she couldn't afford to gamble.</p> <p>She had to obey him.</p> <p>She couldn't let the secret of her escape with her mother be exposed!</p> <p>She nodded.</p> <p>Even though she had mentally prepared herself.</p> <p>Tears still fell uncontrollably.</p> <p>Adrian watched her cry.</p> <p>His heart felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton.</p> <p>It was stifling and uncomfortable.</p> <p>Was she really that unwilling?</p> <p>Anna closed her eyes.</p> <p>She stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips.</p> <p>Their touch was slightly cool.</p> <p>Adrian watched her.</p> <p>A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes.</p> <p>Her movements were clumsy.</p> <p>It was less of a kiss.</p> <p>And more like she was frantically gnawing at him.</p> <p>Anna continued her awkward gnawing for a while.</p> <p>But Adrian never opened his mouth.</p> <p>She was confused.</p> <p>Unsure of what to do next.</p> <p>Annoyance flared within her.</p> <p>Adrian was definitely doing this on purpose.</p> <p>Just as she grew angry and tried to pull back.</p> <p>Adrian's large hand cupped the back of her head.</p> <p>His strength pulled her back.</p> <p>Suddenly.</p> <p>His thin lips covered hers.</p> <p>He tilted her chin upward.</p> <p>Deepening the kiss.</p> <p>Anna instinctively tried to escape.</p> <p>His hand applied slight pressure.</p> <p>Holding the back of her head firmly.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_1 --> <p>Giving her no room to retreat.</p> <p>His other hand on her waist tightened.</p> <p>Anna was pressed entirely against him.</p> <p>Forced to feel his presence.</p> <p>Her head grew dizzy from the kiss.</p> <p>His burning hand探进 her clothes.</p> <p>Anna no longer had the strength to resist.</p> <p>Her words of refusal were trapped in her throat.</p> <p>Her eyes became hazy.</p> <p>Just as Adrian was about to touch that softness.</p> <p>Someone's phone rang.</p> <p>They both snapped back to reality.</p> <p>Adrian's handsome features twisted with anger.</p> <p>He shoved Anna away as if she were trash.</p> <p>Anna crashed into the wall behind her.</p> <p>A pained grunt escaped her.</p> <p>Adrian glared at her with disgust.</p> <p>His tone was sarcastic.</p> <p>"You're just as cheap as ever."</p> <p>"You'd throw yourself at any man without a second thought!"</p> <p>After speaking.</p> <p>He opened the door and walked out.</p> <p>Leaving her with only a cold, merciless shadow.</p> <p>Anna saw him gently lead Chloe Valentine away.</p> <p>She could no longer suppress her sorrow.</p> <p>She crouched on the ground and cried.</p> <p>Yes.</p> <p>He hated her.</p> <p>She deserved his humiliation.</p> <p>Many scenes flashed through her mind.</p> <p>Tears fell like a broken string, never stopping.</p> <p>She could only hug herself.</p> <p>Trying her best not to collapse.</p> <p>"Miss, are you alright?"</p> <p>After crying for a while.</p> <p>A shop assistant appeared before her.</p> <p>Handing her a tissue.</p> <p>Her expression concerned.</p> <p>Anna dried the tears on her face.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_3 --> <p>The assistant bent down to help her up.</p> <p>Comforting her.</p> <p>"It's alright."</p> <p>"This will all pass."</p> <p>Anna shook her head.</p> <p>Thanking her.</p> <p>"I'm fine."</p> <p>"Thank you."</p> <p>The assistant watched her despondent retreating figure.</p> <p>She couldn't help but sigh.</p> <p>Another pitiful soul.</p> <p>Anna didn't know how she left the mall.</p> <p>The outside light was so bright it hurt her eyes.</p> <p>She raised a hand to shield them.</p> <p>But bumped into someone.</p> <p>She quickly apologized.</p> <p>"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"</p> <p>"Anna Ross!?"</p> <p>A female voice rang out.</p> <p>It sounded surprised.</p> <p>And questioning.</p> <p>Anna moved her hand away.</p> <p>She看清 the person before her.</p> <p>Her university classmate.</p> <p>Lynn Wanwan.</p> <p>After Lynn看清 her face.</p> <p>She couldn't hide her look of惊艳.</p> <p>Praising her.</p> <p>"It really is you."</p> <p>"I didn't expect to see you again."</p> <p>"You're even more beautiful than before!"</p> <p>Anna forced a smile.</p> <p>It had been a year since she graduated.</p> <p>She basically never saw most of her classmates.</p> <p>Plus, she was hardly at school during her junior and senior years.</p> <p>She wasn't very close with these classmates.</p> <p>She could only barely remember some of them.</p> <p>But they all seemed to know her.</p> <p>Lynn wasn't annoyed.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_2 --> <p>She knew about Anna's situation.</p> <p>She asked with a smile.</p> <p>"By the way."</p> <p>"Why didn't you come to the last two class reunions?"</p> <p>"I had things going on during that time."</p> <p>"So I didn't go."</p> <p>Anna replied faintly.</p> <p>Lynn nodded in understanding.</p> <p>"I heard Adrian Sinclair is very successful now."</p> <p>"Like, really successful."</p> <p>"Are you two getting married soon?"</p> <p>"You were the golden couple of the school back then."</p> <p>"You have to invite me to the wedding!"</p> <p>Anna's eyes dimmed.</p> <p>Her head felt like it was buzzing.</p> <p>Completely out of control.</p> <p>She gave a dry laugh.</p> <p>"We've already broken up."</p> <p>Broken up!?</p> <p>Lynn, stunned站在原地, didn't have time to ask more.</p> <p>Anna had already stumbled away.</p> <p>The first thing she did upon returning home was to go upstairs to see Vivian Lowell.</p> <p>But Vivian was already waiting for her in the living room.</p> <p>Seeing her poor state.</p> <p>Vivian rushed over to support her.</p> <p>Asking with heartache.</p> <p>"Anna, what's wrong?"</p> <p>Feeling her mother's presence.</p> <p>Anna could no longer control herself and hugged her tightly, crying.</p> <p>Vivian's heart ached.</p> <p>She could only gently pat her back in comfort.</p> <p>After Anna cried enough.</p> <p>She returned to her room.</p> <p>Vivian followed her.</p> <p>Tucking her in.</p> <p>"Anna, get some rest."</p> <p>"Mom is here."</p> <p>She nodded安心.</p> <p>Falling into a deep sleep.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_4 --> <p>Vivian stayed by her bedside.</p> <p>The next day.</p> <p>Anna was awakened by a nightmare.</p> <p>Checking the time.</p> <p>Oh no.</p> <p>It was so late!</p> <p>She still had to go to work!</p> <p>Her stupid head.</p> <p>She forgot to set the alarm.</p> <p>Not even bothering with breakfast.</p> <p>After washing up and changing clothes, she rushed desperately towards the company.</p> <p>Scolding herself in her heart.</p> <p>She had just started this job.</p> <p>She was only an ordinary employee in the Creative Department.</p> <p>She actually dared to be late.</p> <p>She was finished.</p> <p>Despite rushing.</p> <p>She was still thirty minutes late.</p> <p>Anna could only brace herself and enter the company.</p> <p>She kept her head down.</p> <p>Trying her best not to be noticed.</p> <p>As she walked, she noticed a shadow fall before her.</p> <p>Anna slowly looked up.</p> <p>Adrian's handsome face was reflected in her pupils.</p> <p>Anna was startled.</p> <p>She took a few steps back.</p> <p>Only just managing to steady herself.</p> <p>A group of branch managers and company leaders簇拥 around Adrian.</p> <p>He was a born leader.</p> <p>Anna's heart pounded like thunder.</p> <p>Praying he wouldn't cause trouble for her now.</p> <p>But Adrian only glanced at her indifferently.</p> <p>He raised his hand to check the time.</p> <p>Raised an eyebrow towards a company leader nearby.</p> <p>His tone was very distant.</p> <p>"This employee seems to be late."</p> <p>"Since when does the company need to keep people like this?"</p> <p>Anna looked up.</p> <p>This employee?</p> <p>Was he pretending not to know her?</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_2 --> </body></html>