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