Chapter 8: Chapter 8
735 words<html><head></head><body><p>The noise of the dance floor faded behind them.</p> <p>Adrian Sinclair's grip was unyielding.</p> <p>He dragged Anna Ross down the long hallway.</p> <p>Cold wind bit through her thin clothes.</p> <p>She shivered uncontrollably.</p> <p>They walked in complete silence.</p> <p>Anna stole glances at his tense profile.</p> <p>Her right hand clenched secretly.</p> <p>There was no escaping this time.</p> <p>She had brought this upon herself.</p> <p>Why did she have to dress like this to provoke him?</p> <p>How pathetic.</p> <p>She reached up and tore off the bunny ear headband.</p> <p>She wiped the bright lipstick from her mouth.</p> <p>Her hair was a mess from being grabbed.</p> <p>She hugged her chest tightly.</p> <p>Trying to hide the provocative outfit.</p> <p>Adrian noticed her movements.</p> <p>He only let out a cold, mocking laugh.</p> <p>Servants bowed and greeted them along the way.</p> <p>Anna tried to shrink behind him.</p> <p>Wishing she could disappear.</p> <p>She expected to be dragged into a room.</p> <p>Instead, he suddenly shoved her toward the main entrance.</p> <p>Anna fell hard onto the cold tiles.</p> <p>The pain jolted her awake.</p> <p>Adrian adjusted his cuffs as he looked down at her.</p> <p>His eyes held pure contempt.</p> <p>"Get out of here."</p> <p>"Stop being a nuisance."</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_4 --> <p>He turned to leave.</p> <p>Anna tried to stand.</p> <p>A sharp pain shot through her ankle.</p> <p>She looked down.</p> <p>Her fair skin was already swollen and red.</p> <p>A passing server rushed over.</p> <p>"Miss, do you need help?"</p> <p>His Adam's apple bobbed as he glanced at her curves.</p> <p>He quickly looked away.</p> <p>The commotion made Adrian turn back.</p> <p>He narrowed his eyes at the scene.</p> <p>His expression was unreadable.</p> <p>The server tried to help her up.</p> <p>Anna cried out in pain.</p> <p>"Sprained ankle?"</p> <p>"Let me call a cab to the hospital."</p> <p>Adrian suddenly strode back.</p> <p>"What an act."</p> <p>"Is this your way of seducing men?"</p> <p>A taxi arrived quickly.</p> <p>The server moved to assist her.</p> <p>But Adrian pushed him aside.</p> <p>He yanked Anna up roughly.</p> <p>Dragging her toward his own car.</p> <p>Anna stumbled after him.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_3 --> <p>Her vision filled with his cold, hard profile.</p> <p>His lips were pressed into a tight line.</p> <p>He was clearly furious.</p> <p>He shoved her into the passenger seat.</p> <p>She breathed a silent sigh of relief.</p> <p>It was humiliating.</p> <p>But at least she had ruined his date.</p> <p>Her mother should be safe now.</p> <p>Yet overwhelming self-disgust followed.</p> <p>She refused his demands.</p> <p>Yet dressed like this to cause trouble.</p> <p>He must think her utterly ridiculous.</p> <p>Adrian suddenly leaned in close.</p> <p>"Anna Ross."</p> <p>"Is this all you've got?"</p> <p>His eyes looked at her like she was a virus.</p> <p>Full of disgust.</p> <p>Anna's throat tightened.</p> <p>She couldn't speak.</p> <p>He sneered and released her.</p> <p>"Stop pretending to be pitiful."</p> <p>"It makes me sick."</p> <p>Anna whispered her reply.</p> <p>"Okay."</p> <p>She didn't care what he thought anymore.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_5 --> <p>She painfully moved toward the car door.</p> <p>The agony in her ankle nearly made her fall.</p> <p>Adrian watched coldly.</p> <p>Not offering any help.</p> <p>She finally got into the car.</p> <p>The door slammed shut behind her.</p> <p>Adrian started the engine.</p> <p>His gaze was icy and detached.</p> <p>Anna clenched her fingers.</p> <p>Summoning her courage to speak.</p> <p>"Can you take me back to the Lowell family?"</p> <p>He glanced at her.</p> <p>His eyes still indifferent.</p> <p>Anna expected sarcasm.</p> <p>She bowed her head silently.</p> <p>But he drove out of the parking lot without a word.</p> <p>Dead silence filled the car.</p> <p>Anna held her phone tightly.</p> <p>Only worried about her mother's safety.</p> <p>Her phone suddenly vibrated.</p> <p>Chloe Valentine's name lit up the screen.</p> <p>Anna's heart ached.</p> <p>If she hadn't interrupted.</p> <p>They would be on a sweet date right now.</p> <p>Adrian glanced at the caller.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_5 --> <p>He ignored it completely.</p> <p>Anna was surprised.</p> <p>But she didn't dare ask.</p> <p>The phone rang insistently throughout the drive.</p> <p>The car moved fast.</p> <p>Soon stopping outside the Lowell mansion.</p> <p>Adrian's voice was cold.</p> <p>"Get out."</p> <p>Anna looked at the brightly lit house.</p> <p>Wondering if her mother was safe.</p> <p>She eagerly pushed the door open.</p> <p>Forgetting her injured foot.</p> <p>She fell to the ground again.</p> <p>Adrian frowned deeply.</p> <p>He got out and hauled her up.</p> <p>Dragging her roughly toward the entrance.</p> <p>Not caring if he hurt her.</p> <p>Anna tried to break free.</p> <p>But she was no match for his strength.</p> <p>She thought he would drag her into the living room.</p> <p>But he suddenly stopped at the steps.</p> <p>Adrian stared at her intently.</p> <p>His voice dripping with coldness.</p> <p>"Anna Ross."</p> <p>"Pull another stunt like this."</p> <p>"And next time, I won't go easy on you."</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_2 --> </body></html>