Chapter 9: Chapter 9

988 words

<html><head></head><body>Anna could feel the dangerous aura radiating from him. She knew. He wasn't joking. She pressed her lips together. Her gaze avoided his. "Alright…" She understood. She had thoroughly angered him today. After this. They should have no further interactions. Adrian released her hand. His face showed no emotion. Soon. The sound of an engine starting came from behind. Anna breathed a sigh of relief. She then remembered her mother was still waiting for her. Ignoring the pain in her ankle. She hurried home. In the living room. Howard was lazily sprawled on the sofa smoking. Cigarette butts littered the floor. The pungent smell of smoke filled the entire space. Anna frowned and covered her nose. She paid it no mind. She quickly searched every corner. Her heart sank. She rushed over to Howard. "Where is my mother!?" Howard stopped smoking. He looked her up and down. He didn't answer. Anna had no patience for his stare. She pressed urgently, "I asked you where my mother is!?" Seeing he still wouldn't answer. Her heart kept sinking. Fear spread through her entire body. Howard suddenly sneered. "You're just like your mother. You'll do anything to seduce a man!" Anna knew.  He was blaming her mother for pretending to be pregnant to marry him. She was looked down upon because of it. But the state she was in now. Wasn't it all his doing? She didn't want to hear these vile words. She pointed to the door. "I did what you asked. I ruined Adrian and Miss Valentine's date. He just drove me home. Are you satisfied now? Can you tell me where my mother is?" Howard actually started clapping. He laughed strangely. "Not bad. Then let me ask you. Did you get any evidence of what he did to you?" Evidence? Anna was speechless. She had pushed herself to the limit tonight. And he actually wanted evidence! She couldn't hold back anymore. She cried out in collapse, "Do you think Adrian is a fool? With his power. What evidence could I possibly get!?" Adrian's disgusted expression lingered in her mind. But she could overlook all that. Her worry for her mother. Consumed all her thoughts. Howard's face darkened. He took a hard drag of his cigarette. "I just praised you for being smart. Now it seems. You're as stupid as your mother!" Anna didn't want to waste more words. It was clear Howard wouldn't tell her where her mother was. "Fine.  You won't say. I'll find her myself!" She walked past Howard. She searched every room. But she couldn't find her mother anywhere. Howard remainedcoldnessly on the sofa smoking. He didn't even bother to look at her. The house staff saw her running through the villa in revealing clothes. They started gossiping. "My goodness. Dressed like that. She has no shame!" "Young girls these days. It's unbelievable." When she approached. The staff immediately fell silent. Anna stopped them to ask. "Have you seen my mother?" They shook their heads, indicating they didn't know. Anna was too heartbroken to speak. She had searched every room. But Vivian was nowhere to be seen. She suddenly thought of something. She ran back desperately. Her high heels were in the way. She took them off and ran barefoot. Finally. On the balcony of her mother's bedroom. She saw a familiar figure. She hurriedly pulled open the glass door. Tears fell the moment she saw Vivian's condition. She could hardly believe her eyes. "Mom. Did Howard do all this?" Vivian lay weakly on the ground.  An iron chain was locked around her foot. Her ankle was already raw and bleeding. She was covered in large and small wounds. Some were still bleeding. Others were bruises. Vivian saw her daughter dressed like this. Her heart ached. "Anna, it's all my fault. I'm useless. I've hurt you!" She held Anna and cried bitterly. Anna didn't care about herself. She just wanted to know why Howard would do this to her mother. She had done exactly what he asked. "Mom, wait for me. I'll go ask him why!" She had endured so much for so long. But Howard had gone too far! Vivian cried even harder. She held onto her tightly. "Don't go! Let it be. I'm fine. Listen to me just this once, okay? Anna." She knew Howard's temper best. If Anna went to confront him now. It would be suicide. Her daughter might get hurt too. Anna was furious. Howard treated her mother like an animal. But seeing her injured mother so humble. She couldn't bear to make her worry. She turned and helped Vivian up. She said softly, "I'll find the key to unlock you."  Entering the bedroom. She saw the key on the large bed. She gritted her teeth, picked it up. And held it tightly in her hand. After unlocking the chain. Anna helped Vivian into the bedroom to lie down. "Mom, I'll get the first aid kit to treat your wounds." Vivian nodded. Her gaze drifted downward. She soon noticed Anna's swollen ankle. Combined with what she was wearing. Her heart jumped. "Anna, you're hurt!?" That glaring red mark. Hurt her more than her own wounds. Anna then remembered her own injury. In her rush to find her mother. She had forgotten she was hurt too. But she still smiled to comfort Vivian. "I'm fine. I just twisted it by accident." She took out the antiseptic to disinfect Vivian's wounds. She blew gently to ease the pain. Vivian watched her daughter's every move. A wave of bitterness and guilt washed over her. She reached out and stroked Anna's head. "Anna, I need to apologize to you. I've dragged you into this." It was her fault. For giving in to Howard's pressure to pay off debts. And selling out her own daughter. Anna remained silent. Vivian hesitated for a moment. She asked again, "Adrian… He didn't do anything to you, did he?"  </body></html>

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

988 words