Chapter 282

Howard Lowell slammed the table and stood up. "This is the daughter you raised! I've provided for her all these years for nothing. Now she won't even do this one thing for me!"

He collapsed onto the sofa in a rage. Grabbing a pear from the fruit bowl, he took an angry bite and turned his back to them.

Vivian Lowell flinched at the noise. She glanced nervously at her daughter. "Anna... could you please help your father? Just this once?"

A sharp pain pierced Anna Ross's heart.

"Mom, I already hurt him once before. I can't do it again."

Vivian took half a step back at her daughter's raised voice. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the fabric of her shirt.

Anna immediately regretted her outburst. She hurried to steady her mother. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted."

Vivian forced a weak smile. "I understand this is difficult for you. But we truly have no other choice this time."

Howard snorted coldly without turning around. "If she refuses to help, you'll have to deal with the consequences yourself."

The pallor of her mother's face stabbed at Anna's heart. Her mother meant everything to her. She could never stand by and watch her suffer.

"Anna, if it's really too much, then I'll just—"

"Don't say it!" Anna cut her off urgently. "I'll do it."

"Really?"

They both turned to look at her with surprised hope.

Anna nodded slowly. She would pretend to agree for now. But she would never actually hurt Adrian Sinclair.

Howard's expression instantly brightened. He eagerly pulled them both to sit down. "See? That's my good girl. You should have been this sensible from the start."

A lump formed in Anna's throat. She sat for only a few moments before standing to leave.

"Anna, let me walk you out." Vivian took her daughter's arm, casting an anxious glance at her husband.

Howard was in too good a mood to object. He waved his permission.

"Anna, do you still feel guilty about breaking up with Adrian all those years ago?" Vivian asked softly as the elevator doors closed.

Anna pulled herself from her thoughts. She shook her head gently.

"Mom, that's all in the past now."

Vivian sighed. "I can tell you still care about him. If that's true, why not explain everything to him?"

Anna's gaze grew distant. Explain? She was the one who had pushed him away. What right did she have to ask for forgiveness now?

"Anna, if it weren't for that person... you two might have..." Vivian's voice choked with emotion, thick with regret.

Anna gently wiped her mother's tears. "Mom, our breakup just means we weren't meant to be. I've moved on."

"Anna..."

Vivian's tears fell freely now. If not for her own failed marriage, her daughter could have had a perfect life.

The empty elevator filled with the sound of suppressed sobs.

"Ding—"

The doors slid open. Harsh light flooded the compartment.

Anna blinked, then took her mother's arm. "Let's go."